Steps in the Research Process

1
Steps in the Research Process

• Problem Formulation
• Measurement
• Research Design
• Data Collection
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Evaluation of Results

2
Problem Formulation

• Find a problem
• Find something that intrigues you
• Review the literature
• Research and read what other studies say about
  the problem you chose
• Specify a research question
• Narrow your topic to a specific area
• Develop a hypothesis
• Create your primary research question

3
Measurement

• Translate abstract concepts into concrete
  variables
• Conceptual Level
• Empirical Level
• Operational Definition
• Specify the variables in the hypothesis
• What are the specific items you are using to
  determine your measurements?
• Operationally define the variables
• Should have solid list of definitions of variables

4
Research Design

• Choose a Method
• Experiment
• Using experimental and control groups, test your
  variables.
• Secondary Research
• This uses the data from other researchers to make
  conclusions regarding your variables and
  hypothesis.
• Survey Research
• Avoid ambiguous language in creating a survey.
• Be sure to use a diverse and large enough sample
  to appropriately measure your population.
• Field Research
• Observation, Participation Observation
• Determine the population and sample
• This must correspond to your research question
  and be large enough to elicit a valid finding.

5
Data Collection

• Choose Method
• Questionnaires
• Telephone Interviews
• Personal Interviews
• Observations
• Documentary Resources
• Primary Documents
• Oral Histories

6
Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Choose how to analyze data
• Quantitative presents numerical picture
• Qualitative presents verbal picture
• Decide to retain or reject hypothesis
• Decide if your data supports or rejects your
  research question.
• A negative finding is as relevant as a positive
  finding.

7
Evaluation of Results

• Consider the importance of the research for
  theory and any applied research.
• Choose a theory to interpret your findings
• Write up the theoretical interpretation in your
  formal report
• Write up an implications your findings have for
  applied research
• Prepare a formal report
• Compile each step into essay format with
  supporting graphs or charts.