Chapter 2: Where to Start

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Chapter 2Where to Start
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Where to Start
In other words, how do we dig in to knowing how
to do research and why we do it? Chapter will
introduce some terms related to research and what
parts you find in a research article.
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What is an Hypothesis?

• A prediction statement that makes an assertion
  about what is true in a particular situation (If
  Im nice to the professor, shell give me a
  better grade!)
• Often, a prediction statement asserting that two
  or more variables are related to one another (see
  next)

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What is a Variable?

• A characteristic of something that can change in
  value, strength, occurrence, etc.
• Examples grades, mood, amount of credit card
  spending, amount of studying, your weight, how
  nice people are, how much it rains, how cold a
  room is, type of therapy used, how much ESP we
  possess, etc.
• If something CANT CHANGE in value, then we call
  it a CONSTANT (the value of pi, the answer to
  22?, the age at which Lincoln died, the day of
  your birth, etc.)

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Role of Hypotheses

• Most research studies are attempts to test a
  hypothesis formulated by the researcher.
• Informal hypotheses Simply questions about
  behavior (I wonder what Mom will do if I spit
  out my food)
• Formal hypotheses based on past research
  findings and theoretical considerations (Stated
  in very specific and formal terms)

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More on Hypotheses

• In a study, if prediction is confirmed by the
  results hypothesis supported (now have a party!
  And then build on what you discovered)
• If prediction not confirmed by the results
  reject the hypothesis (cry in your beer! And then
  re-think your hypothesis for next time)

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Who We Study in Our Studies Terminology

• Subjects old-time term for the people we are
  examining
• Participants fancier newer term for the people
  we are examining
• Respondents people who respond to our surveys
  and polls
• Informants people who give us inside scoop

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Sources of Ideas for Research

• Common sense (It seems like the best students
  sit up front, is this true?)
• Observation of the world around us (Why are we
  so afraid of people who look like they are from
  the Middle East?)

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Sources of Ideas for Research

• Past research (We know that if children watch
  violent shows they become more violent, but which
  shows are worse than others?
• Theories (Does Freuds idea of the Oedipal
  complex have any merit?) (see next for THEORY
  def.)

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Theory Defined

• A set of explanatory statements about behavior
  that can be tested through empirical research.
  (Boy, doesnt that definition hurt your head?)

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Theories

• Organize and explain existing data
• Lead to new insights that generate new studies
• Are supported when new data are consistent with
  the theory

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Examples of theories

• Skinners theory of learning
• Darwins theory of evolution
• Freuds theory of psychosexual development
• Piagets theory of cognitive development
• Festingers theory of cognitive dissonance
• Reeves theory of concept formation
• Moms theory of upbringing

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Theories

• Must be revised when new data are collected that
  reveal weaknesses in the theory! (Otherwise, the
  theorist is NOT part of the science community for
  very long!)
• Old crummy theories may be replaced by newer
  theories that provide better explanations for data

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Getting Started in Library Research Journals

• The nature of research journals
• Researcher sends written report to a professional
  journal
• Editor solicits reviews from other peer
  scientists
• Each journal has limited space

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Library Research (cont)

• The Nature of Journals (cont)
• Editor decides whether to accept the research
  report for publication
• Accepted research reports are published about
  one year later

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Library Research (cont)

• Search strategies
• Psychological Abstracts (Psych Abstracts)
• PsycINFO, PsycFIRST, PsycLIT
• Science Citation Index
• Social Sciences Citation Index

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Library Research (cont)

• Literature reviews
• Psychological Bulletin
• Annual Review of Psychology

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Library Research (cont)

• Other electronic search resources
• Medline
• ERIC
• APAs PsycARTICLES

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Library Research (cont)

• Internet searches
• Yahoo, Google
• Critically evaluate the quality of the
  information you find (ask an authority)
• Record the exact location of any Websites you
  will be using in your research

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Anatomy of a Research Article

• Research articles have five main sections (APA
  Format)
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Method
• Results
• Discussion

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Anatomy of a Research Article (cont)

• Abstract
• A summary of the research report
• 150 words or less
• Includes the hypothesis, procedure, broad
  pattern of results

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Anatomy of a Research Article (cont)

• Introduction
• Outlines the problem investigated
• Past research and theories relevant to the
  problem are described in detail
• Formal hypotheses or specific expectations

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Anatomy of a Research Article (cont)

• Method Section
• Subsections depend on the complexity of the
  design
• - Participants
• - Design
• - Equipment
• - Materials
• - Procedure

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Anatomy of a Research Article (cont)

• Results Section
• Findings are presented in three ways
• Narrative form
• Statistical language
• Tables or graphs (figures)

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Anatomy of a Journal Articles (cont)

• Discussion Section
• Researcher reviews the research from various
  perspectives
• Do the results support the hypothesis?
• If yes, provide all possible explanations
• If no, suggest potential reasons for this

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Discussion (cont)

• Present methodological weaknesses and/or
  strengths
• Explain how the results compare with past
  results
• Include suggestions for possible practical
  applications
• Include suggestions for future research on the
  topic

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APA Format Our Common Language!

• Double-space throughout the paper
• One-inch margins
• Indent each paragraph .5 (normal tab) (except
  Abstract)
• 12 pt. font Times Roman or Arial
• Use header to place page number and paper
  identification in upper right-hand corner of
  every page

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The End