Quantitative chapter 4
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This document discusses how to specify the purpose and research questions or hypotheses for a study. It distinguishes between purpose statements, research questions, hypotheses, and objectives. Purpose statements state the overall goal of the study, research questions focus the purpose into specific areas of inquiry, and hypotheses make predictions about relationships between variables. Both purpose statements and research questions are important to identify the scope and methods of a study. The document provides guidelines for writing quantitative purpose statements, research questions, and hypotheses by specifying variables and participants. It also contrasts quantitative and qualitative approaches, noting that qualitative research focuses on a central phenomenon through open-ended questions rather than testing hypotheses.
Quantitative chapter 4
- 1. Specifying a Purpose and Research Questions or Hypotheses Presented by: Kinkin Susansi Muryanti Sigit Raharjo 2015
- 2. Points of discussion ● distinguish: purpose statements, research questions, hypothesis, and objectives ● the importance of the statements and questions ● write quantitative purpose statements, research questions
- 3. Purpose Statements, Research Questions, Research Hypotheses, Research Objectives ● Purpose statement: a sentence in educational study that states the overall direction or objective of the study. ● Research Questions: questions that focus the purpose of the study into specific areas of inquiry. ● Research Hypotheses: statements in quantitative research that narrow the purpose statement into specific predictions about the relationship among variables.. ● Research Objective: A statement of intent for the study that specifies specific goals that the investigator plans to achieve in a study.
- 4. Distinguishing among various forms of direction in research
- 5. The importance of the statements and questions ● to know the central ideas addressed in the study ● to identify the most appropriate methods for collecting data from the purpose and the questions ● to provide key components for understanding the results of a project.
- 6. What We Need to Know to Design Quantitative Purpose Statements, Research Questions, and Hypotheses ● What is a variable? ● What is a theory? ● What elements go into these statements and questions?
- 7. What Is a Variable? A Variable (A Characteristic or Attribute) That can be and Measured (Can be assessed on an instrument and recorded on an instrument) Varies (Can assume different values or scores for different individuals)
- 8. Examples of Variables and Nonvariables Variables ✓Leadership style ✓Organizational control ✓Autism Difficult, but possibly measurable, variables ✓Socialization ✓Imagination ✓Intuition ✓Discrimination Almost impossible to measure variables ✓ Subconscious thoughts ✓ World poverty ✓ Stereotypes
- 9. 5.9 Categorical and Continuous Measures of Variables A categorical measure is a value of a variable assigned by the researcher into a small number of categories. (e.g., gender) A continuous measure is the value of a variable assigned by the researcher to a point along a continuum of scores, from low to high. (e.g., age)
- 10. Variables and Constructs A variable is an attribute or characteristic stated in a specific or applied way. A construct is an attribute or characteristic expressed in an abstract, general way. Construct Student Achievement Variable Grade Point Average
- 11. Families of Variables in Quantitative Studies Probable Cause (X) Effect Independent Variables • Treatment • Measured Intervening Variables Dependent Variables Control Variables Moderating Variables Confounding Variables (Y) (Z)
- 12. Family of Variables Dependent variables: An attribute or characteristic influenced by the independent variable. ▪ The outcome ▪ The effect ▪ The criterion ▪ The consequences
- 13. Family of Variables (cont’d) Independent variable: An attribute or characteristic that influences or affects an outcome or dependent variable ▪ Treatment variable ▪ Measured variable ▪ Control variable ▪ Moderating variable
- 14. Intervening Variables (mediating variables) An attribute or characteristic that “stands between” the dependent and independent variables
- 15. Example of an Intervening Variable Independent Variable Independent Variable Intervening Variable Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Dependent Variable Dependent Variable Example Convenient office hours for students Student seeks help from faculty Example Example Convenient office hours for students Convenient office hours for students Student seeks help from faculty Independent Variable Independent Variable Intervening Variable Student becomes willing to take risks Student becomes willing to take risks
- 16. 5.16 Family of Variables Confounding variables (spurious variables): Attributes or characteristics that the researcher cannot directly measure because their effects cannot be easily separated from the other variables, even though they may influence the relationship between the independent and the dependent variable
- 17. Theories and Testing of Variables ● Probable causation the possibility of a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. ● Quantitative research theory explain and predict relationship that maybe exist between independent (IV) and dependent variable (DV). ● Examine the theory and the variables’ connection are tested over and over with different participants and sites, measured with numbers, and analyzed with statistical procedures to determine whether the prediction is true.
- 19. The Procedures ● Start from Hunches or educated guess ● Theoretical rationale (logical statement)taking statement/fact from past author/researchers ● Conceptual framework to find authors in same topic to support our research ● Tests ● New theory
- 20. Writing Quantitative Purpose Statements ● Begin with the statement “The purpose of this study…” (in a single sentence). Stating “to test a theory…” if we want to use a theory, ● Relate, compare, or describe. ● Mention the controlling variables ● State the independent variable first→ dependent variable→ control or mediating variables (if there any) ● Identify the participants and the research site.
- 21. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this _______________________ (experiment? survey?) will be to test the theory of ____________________ that (compares? relates? examines?) the ___________________ (independent variable) to _______________ (dependent variable), controlling for __________________(control variables) for _____________ (participants) at ____________________ (the research site). The independent variable(s) will be generally defined as _____________________ (provide a general definition). The dependent variable(s) will be generally defined as _______________ (provide a general definition), and the control and intervening variable(s) _______________, (identify the control and intervening variables) will be statistically controlled in the study (Creswell, 2003, p. 96).
- 22. Writing Qualitative Research Questions ● Narrow and focus the purpose statement. ● How, what, or why ● Mention the independent, dependent, and mediating or controlling variables ● Describe, compare, or relate ● Inform the participants and the research site
- 23. The examples of Quantitative research questions ● Descriptive questions How frequently do African Americans (participants) feel isolated (variable) on college campuses (research site)? ● Relationship questions How do feeling of isolation (IV) relate to (or influence) the ethnic identity (DV) of African Americans (participants) in the United States (site)? ● Comparison questions How do African American and Euro Americans compare in their perceptions of ethnic identity?
- 24. Writing Quantitative Hypotheses Hypotheses Prediction of relationships between 2 variables or more that need to verify through research. ● State the IV first→ DV→ control variable ● In comparing groups, explicitly state the groups and convey the relationship among the variables. ● What changes we expect about the groups (prediction) like less, more, or no changes(difference). ● Inform about the participants and the site but if we have stated in purpose statement, they may not be necessary.
- 25. Types of Hypotheses ● Null hypotheses There is no relationship between IV and DV. It is untrue that IV is affecting DV. ● Alternative hypotheses IV is affecting DV (relationship is exist). ❏ Directional the prediction provides the score/value of the relationship: higher, lower, lesser ❏ Nondirectional just predicts a relationship but not indicate the value of the parameter.
- 26. Differentiating between Quantitative and Qualitative purpose statements and research questions Quantitative 1. hypotheses 2. multiple variables 3. test the theory, prediction 4. a close-ended/limited answer 5. measure the magnitude of changes Qualitative 1. no hypothesis but research questions 2. a central phenomenon 3. not test the theory 4. an open-ended/unlimited/free answer 5. seek a deep understanding
- 27. The Central Phenomenon in Qualitative Research ● Focus on a single variable/concept/process ● Explore and deep understanding one single phenomenon Emerging Process Purpose statements and research questions may change during the research based on responses from participants. initial/general question → shaped question → more detailed question
- 28. Writing Qualitative Purpose Statements Indicates to intent to explore or understand the central phenomenon with specific individuals at a certain research site. Sample script : The purpose of this qualitative study will be to (explore/discover/understand/describe) (the central phenomenon) for (participants)at (research site) e.g: The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe classroom learning using the internet for five high-school students participating in a sign language class.
- 29. Writing Qualitative Research Questions Are open ended, general questions that the researcher would like answered during the study. Guidelines: 1. Ask a few general questions. 2. Using action verb Two types of qualitative research questions : 1. The central question 2. Subquestions
- 30. The Central Question The overarching question you explore in a research study. ❏ To provide participants perspectives not researcher perspective. ❏ Place it at the end of introduction. ❏ State it as a brief question. Sample script : What is (the central phenomenon) for (participants) at (research site)? e.g : What is creativity for five students at Pelita Alam Junior High School ?
- 31. Subquestions Refine the central question into subquestions to be addresed in the research. According to (Cresswell,2007;Stake,1995) devided subquestions: 1. Issue subquestions 2. Procedural subquestions
- 32. Issue Subquestion Questions that narrow the focus of the central question into specific question(or issues) the researcher seeks to learn from participants in a study. A script : What is (the subquetion issue) for (participants-optional information) at (research site-optional information). e.g : What is self -esteem for high school students ? (central question) What is self-esteem as seen throuh frieds? (subquestion) What is self-esteem for the participant’s family ? (subquestion)
- 33. Procedural Subquestions Indicate the steps to be used in analyzing the data in a qualitative study. A script : (What question will be answered first ?) (What question will be answered second ?) (What question will be answered third ?)
- 34. Procedural Subquestions e.g : ● What students’ experiences with ICT in high schools ? (central question) ● What are the categories of experiences of students ? (subquestion) ● What process occurs that reflects these experience ? (subquestion)
- 35. Distinguishing Qualitative Research Questions from Data Collection Questions Two additional questions (qualitative interview) : 1. Ask the participants abaout themselves as researcher opening question. 2. Ask participants to suggest individuals that researcher might visit with to gather additional data.