Spnotes
1 like243 views
There are four main types of research: historical, descriptive, correlation, and experimental. Historical research describes past events through non-obtrusive methods like records. Descriptive research non-obtrusively describes current conditions through surveys and observation. Correlation research analyzes relationships between variables without determining causation. Experimental research deliberately manipulates variables through obtrusive methods to determine causal effects. Research must consider variables, limitations, validity, and subjects' rights to informed consent and privacy.
Spnotes
- 1. TYPES OF RESEARCH The different characteristics of research: Research May be Applied or Basic The purpose of applied research is to solve an immediate, practical problem. Basic Research (Pure) adds to the existing body of knowledge; doesn't necessarily provide results of immediate, practical use. Research May be Obtrusive or Non-Obtrusive Obtrusive research - where the researcher introduces conditions that influence participants. Where the researcher manipulates the environment. Non-obtrusive research - where researcher avoids influencing subjects in any way and tries to be as inconspicuous as possible.
- 2. 2 Four Main Types of Research Historical research - describes what was-mostly non- obtrusive Descriptive research - describes what is-mostly non- obtrusive Correlation research - makes comparisons, looking for trends or tendencies Experimental research - describes what will be - mostly obtrusive
- 3. 3 Historical Research A systematic process of searching for information and fact to describe analyze or interpret the past Value-can provide prospective for decision making about current problems -issues are often better understood if we understand the historical perspective Sources-must have good backed sources to protect from criticism -most common sources are past records Descriptive Research Describes, interprets, and clarifies what in the present -often done with surveys -may be done by observation or an observational instrument Developmental Research is one common type of descriptive research which involves the study of changes in behavior over a period of time
- 4. 4 Correlation Research The purpose is to find relationships between two or more variable so to: - Better understand the conditions and events that we encounter (what goes with what) - To predict future conditions and events. - Correlations do not show cause and effect Coefficients of Correlation -range from –1 to 1 -the farther the number is away from 0 the higher the correlation -a negative correlation suggest an inverse effect -a 1 or -1 shows a perfect correlation -a correlation of 0 indicates no relationship Experimental Research An experiment is a research situation where at least one independent variable, called the experimental variable, is deliberately manipulated or varied by the researcher. Variable –element or characteristic being studied Parameter-element that remains unchanged (age, number of subjects)
- 5. 5 Evaluation of Sources Primary sources-original or first hand account of event or experience, persons involved, documents, records or relics Secondary sources-an account that is at least once removed -persons not involved directly with an event but has close knowledge (parents, relatives) -newspaper External Criticism -evaluates the validity of the document -who, when, where it was produced -is the document genuine, authentic -status of author (primary or secondary?) Internal Criticism-evaluates the meaning, accuracy and trustworthiness of the content (comes after external criticism) • Both external and internal criticism are important to establish validity.
- 6. 6 Sampling Terms and Procedures Population-inclusive group defined by researcher Sample-representative subset of population -should contain essential elements of population Random Sampling-process of sampling which assures that any subject in the population has an equal probability of being in the sample Systematic counting-uses list to choose every nth person from the population Stratified Random-used when researcher believes the population has distinct subgroups Ex: population has 45% men, then we make sure sample is 45% men
- 7. 7 Variables and Limitations Independent Variable-experimental or treatment variable (it is the cause) -what we are studying -it is what we are manipulating in our study Dependent Variable-is what is measured to assess the effects of the independent variable -it is thought to be dependant on the independent variable Delimitations-choices the experimenter makes to affect a workable research problem Ex: You delimit the number of subjects or the time frame Limitations-the conditions or influences that either cannot be controlled or are the results of the delimitations imposed -limitations are beyond the control of the researcher and may place restrictions on the study
- 8. 8 Experimental Research Designs Pretest-Posttest Design Pretest treatment posttest Posttest Only Control Group Design-weak due to lack of control sampling through a pretest (1) Treatment posttest (2) posttest (control group) Pretest-Posttest-Control Group Design (1) Pretest treatment posttest (2) Pretest posttest (control group) Quasi-Experimental Design (1) Pretest group treatment posttest (2) Pretest group posttest(control group) *Grouping is performed based on pretest* Solomon 4-Group Design-used to check effects of posttest (1) Pretest treatment posttest (2) Pretest posttest (control group) (3) treatment posttest (4) posttest (control group)
- 9. 9 Validity -Does it measure what it is suppose to measure -Wasted time if not valid -Involves: 1. The extent to which the results can be accurately interpreted 2. The extent to which the results can be generalized to population Internal Validity -basic minimum control, measurement, analysis, and procedures necessary to make the results interpretable -is the study itself setup and run correctly External Validity-extent to which the study relates to the population -concerned with comparability and translatability
- 10. 10 Seven Threats to Validity 1. History- events that take place between the pretest and post test that may be a partial or total explanation for the differences-control group will help 2. Maturation-refers to physiological and biological development that takes place over time. 3. Regression-occurs due to the imperfect relationship between the pretest and the posttest scores. Ex: lack of sleep, illness 4. Instrumentation-changes occurring in the instruments and observation procedures 5. Pre-testing-effect pretest has on subsequent tests- may serve as learning instrument 6. Mortality-loss of subjects during an experiment 7. Selection-the procedure used to choose subject who participate
- 11. 11 Subjects and Subjects Rights • Right to privacy or non-participation • Do not ask unnecessary information • Should get adults consent or parents of minors consent • Right to remain anonymous-researchers should explain study focus on group data • Right to expect experimental responsibility o Researcher will be ethical and sensitive to dignity o Subjects must be notified of research or debriefed immediately after • Informed consent-a fair explanation of procedures to follow