EDEA 602

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EDEA 602

• The Nature of Research

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Ways of Knowing

• Sensory experience
• Agreement with others
• Expert opinion
• Logic
• Scientific method

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Scientific Method

• Problem identification
• Problem definition
• What information do we need to do to solve the
  problem?
• How will we organize the information we gather to
  solve it?
• Interpretation

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Types of Research

• Experimental An independent variable is
  manipulated and one or more dependent variables
  are controlled to see the effect of the
  independent variable on the dependent
  variable(s).
• Correlational This research looks at the
  relationship between variables. It does not
  involve manipulation or intervention.

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Types of Research

• Causal-comparative This type of research
  involves examination of the causes of differences
  between two or more groups of people. It is
  rarely done in education because it often has
  unethical implications.
• Survey research This involves administration of
  an instrument to collect data regarding
  characteristics of a group.

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Types of Research

• Ethnographic research This is a qualitative
  research method that allows a researcher to go
  beyond the questions of how well, how much, or
  how effective something is and to examine in more
  depth the authentic or lived experiences of the
  subjects. It looks at people or institutions
  in-depth and over time to document the behaviors
  and underlying norms.

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Types of Research

• Historical research This research examines the
  history of an organization, group, or culture.
  It may involve documentary analysis, interviews,
  and examination of other artifacts.
• Action research This is generally very work
  specific and is undertaken to solve a specific
  problem. It isnt commonly done in scholarly
  research because it can have ethical ramifications

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General Research Types

• Descriptive studies These studies involved a
  detailed description of a state of affairs.
  Early studies in a particular field are often
  descriptive.
• Associational research Research that explores
  relationships is associational. Correlational
  and causal-comparative studies are associational.

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General Research Types

• Intervention studies These studies involve
  manipulation of variables and/or treatment that
  influences outcomes.

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Combining Research Types

• Although there are three types of research, they
  dont always function independently of one
  another. Some studies can be descriptive and
  associational others can be intervention and
  associational. The question(s) being
  investigated dictate the method.

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Quantitative and Qualitative

• Quantitative and qualitative research differ in
  approach and in the assumptions underlying each
  paradigm. Quantitative research generally
  assumes that a single reality underlies most
  questions, while qualitative research takes the
  position that there are multiple realities in any
  context or situation.

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Quantitative and Qualitative

• Quantitative research generally involves some
  sort of hypothesis testing and examines the
  relationships between variables, while
  qualitative research is guided by research
  questions and looks at the relationships among
  the participants in the research.

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Quantitative and Qualitative

• In quantitative research, the researcher is
  assumed to be a rational, detached observer who
  is conducting a predesigned, objective study.
  Qualitative researchers, on the other hand,
  recognize their role in the research process,
  often as participant observers, and address this
  in their reports.

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Quantitative and Qualitative

• Quantitative studies are often large and use
  scientifically drawn samples from which the
  findings might be generalized to other similar
  (and larger) populations. Qualitative studies
  examine one situation and do not attempt to
  generalize beyond it.

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Mixed Method Studies

• Some studies use mixed methods to collect and
  analyze databoth quantitative and qualitative.
  For example, a person might do a quantitative
  survey and follow it up with qualitative
  interviews or focus groups. Again, the question
  dictates the method.

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Critical Analysis of Research

• Reality
• Communication
• Values
• Unstated assumptions
• Societal consequences

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The Research Process

• Statement of problem
• Formulation of question or hypothesis
• Definitions
• Review of literature
• Sample (subjects)
• Instrumentation
• Procedures
• Data analysis

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The Research Problem

• A good research problem must be researchable.
  That is, the researcher must have access to the
  resources and data necessary to complete a study.
  If data cannot be collected for analysis and
  interpretation, a study cannot be conducted.

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Characteristics of a good question

• Feasible It can be investigated.
• Clarity Most people would understand and agree
  with the idea of the question.
• Significance It is worth investigating
• Ethical It will not harm anyone, nor damage
  anything. It is not being investigated for
  illegal, immoral, or malicious purposes.

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Significance

• How might answers to this research question
  advance knowledge in my field?
• How might answers to this research question
  improve educational practice?
• How might answers to this research question
  improve the human condition?