SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CYCLE (Jim Nelson)

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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CYCLE (Jim Nelson)
Data How to get it? What do with it?
Theory/model built on the data
Hypothesis suggested by the theory and data
Inductive Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning
Where do you jump into the cycle?
The answer depends on the nature of the research
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INDUCTIVE REASONING (Leedy, p.33)

• Begin with the data
• Asking what does this mean
• Build or adopt and modify a theory (good idea) or
  model
• Comes from a specific context
• Inductive reasoning
• A reasoning process of drawing conclusions from
  facts or circumstances. Reaching generalizable
  conclusionsoften qualitative research to derive
  meaning from within a context

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RESEARCH CYCLE (cont.)

• Inductive Reasoning Recognizes . . .
• The meaning of data in context Validity (whats
  going on here? A search for truth)
• Focus is on understanding the perspective in a
  particular context
• Effective Methods Participant observation,
  interviews, focus groups case studies
• --Context dependent

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DEDUCTIVE REASONING (Leedy,9. 32)

• State an hypothesis and test it
• Does this work?
• Can I predict or anticipate certain things as a
  result of what I know
• Knowing x and y, can I predict z?
• Hypothesis represents a viewpoint and you are
  controlling the data
• A process of logical reasoning from stated
  propositions. Hypothesis testingoften
  quantitative research, based on numbers

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RESEARCH CYCLE (cont.)

• Deductive Reasoning Requires
• Quantification and measurement Reliability
  (consistency).
• Focus is on prediction and control
• Effective Methods survey, random sampling, means
  to verify hypothesis quantification
• --Researcher dependent

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USING A MIX OF METHODS FOR DATA AND ANALYSIS
DATA
Qualitative Quantitative
Qualitative
Quantitative
On site research for validity (Participant
Observationcollect data Grounded theoryanalyze
data)
Meaning of s and trends (Questionnaires
collect Computer/ cognitive programsanalyze)
ANALYSIS
What/how s support the data (Interviews that
give you specific data Contentanalysis
How s apply for reliability (Surveycollect
Statistics analysis)