WED 561 Research Methods

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WED 561-- Research Methods

• Introduction to Educational Research

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What is research?
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Research Skills are

• Born out of our inquisitive nature.
• Similar to detective work.
• Require a faculty mentor.
• Require determination and motivation.

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Types of Research

• Basic/Fundamental Research
• Applied Research
• Action Research

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Basic Research

• adds to the existing knowledge base in a field of
  study by building theories, or the broad
  generalizations that explain phenomena.
• is carried on in a lab or other sterile
  environment
• is knowing for knowledges sake
• Example

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Applied Research

• is conducted primarily to improve practice by
  solving practical problems.
• improves a process or product
• studies theories of behavior
• Example

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Action Research

• is an application of research to education
  problems
• focuses on immediate application
• Example

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Small Group Activity

• Review research abstracts.
• Categorize the studies as basic, applied, or
  action research.
• Check your answers here.

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History of Inquiry

• Mysticism and Authority
• Challenges to Authority
• Deductive Method (Aristotle The Greeks)
• Inductive Method (Bacon)
• Deductive-Inductive Scientific Method (Darwin)
• Programmatic Research series of studies for a
  complex problem

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What is science?

• Pure science?
• Behavioral science?

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What is the role of theory in a scientific study?

• John Deweys Idea?
• Piagets Idea?

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Why study research?
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Types of Investigation

• Descriptive Research
• Three types using disciplined inquiry
• Assessment
• A fact finding activity
• Evaluation
• Judgment of effectiveness, social utility, or
  desirability of a product, process, or program.

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Categories of Education Research

• Quantitative
• Descriptive Research
• Experimental Research
• Qualitative Research
• Historical Research
• Mixed Methods

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Proposal Chapter 1

• Lets discuss your research ideas

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Outline of Chapter 1

• Need for the Study
• Purpose of the Study
• Statement of the Problem
• Research Questions or Hypotheses
• Definition of Terms
• Template

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Sources of Research Questions/Problems

• personal interests
• the work of other investigators
• differing results in the literature
• theoretical backgrounds
• observation of the population

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Operational Variables

• Precise and unambiguous definitions
• Based in generally accepted theory
• Should not be based in irrelevant behavior
• Example

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Hypotheses

• Serve to develop theory.
• Express parts of an existing theory in testable
  form.

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Types of Hypotheses

• Research hypothesis
• Formal, affirmative statement predicting a single
  research outcome
• Tentative explanation or a relationship between
  two variables
• Null hypothesis
• Negative or null statement
• Asserts that observed differences result from
  chance errors

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Class Exercise

• Write research questions.
• Write hypotheses.

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Preview of Chapter 3

• Why a preview???

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Populations and Sampling

• Population
• Group of individuals that has one or more
  characteristics in common and are of interest to
  the researcher.
• Sample
• Small proportion of the population that is
  selected for observation and analysis.

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Methods of Sampling

• Randomness
• Selecting representative groups
• Equating experimental and control groups.
• Simple Random Sample
• Each has an equal and random chance of being
  selected
• Random Numbers
• Assign numbers to participants and randomly
  select numbers from a table
• Random Numbers Generator

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Methods of Sampling (cont)

• Systematic Sample
• Selection of each nth from a list
• Stratified Random Sample
• Subdivide into smaller homogeneous groups and
  then use a method of random selection with each
  group.
• Area or Cluster Sample
• Variation of simple random sampling when the
  population is infinite

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Methods of Sampling (cont)

• Nonprobability Sample
• Convenience, volunteer, purposeful, and snowball
  sampling
• Stratified Random Sample
• Subdivide into smaller homogeneous groups and
  then use a method of random selection with each
  group.
• Sample Size
• The importance of 30
• Less important that selection procedures

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Summary

• The desire to know has moved human beings from
  mysticism to a method of deductive-inductive
  thinking.
• Researchers carry out investigations using a
  variety of acceptable methods.
• Hypotheses are the essential research device that
  gives focus to an investigation.
• Sampling allows researchers in infer conclusions
  about a population.
• Research categories align with specific purposes.
• Research is either historical, descriptive, or
  experimental.
• Assessment, evaluation, and descriptive research
  are distinct types of evaluation.

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Inductive Method

• Direct observations to arrive at new conclusions
• Not hampered by false major premises
• Not fruitful at arriving at new truths
• Example
• WED 561 learners are research focused.
• WED 561 learners are Masters Degree candidates.
• All Masters Degree candidates are research
  focused.

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Scientific Method

• Assumptions or hypotheses are tested
• John Deweys Pattern
• Identification of a problem
• Formulation of one or more hypotheses
• Collection, organization, and analysis of data
• Formulation of conclusions
• Verification, modification, or rejection of the
  hypotheses

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Deductive Method

• Syllogistic reasoning
• Relationship between a major premise, related
  minor premise and a conclusion
• Not fruitful at arriving at new truths
• Example

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Evaluation of a safety training program in three
food service companies

• Outcome measures for safety training
  effectiveness
• Occupational injuries
• Safety Knowledge
• Perceptions of transfer of training
• Workers compensation claim data for one year
  after the safety training

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