Research

The formal, systematic application of the scientific method to the study of problems.

Major func: test hypotheses derived from an existing theory

• knowledge based on on observation
• (they can be misleading & are often misinterpreted).

a statement indicating what results are expected

prediction of the outcome of a study

treatments are given for the research purpose: causes and effect, observe change in bx

observe participants in order to describe them as they naturally exist (survey, poll)

receives the treatment

not exposed to conditions

backgroud characteristics: socioeconomic status, age, race, etc.

Researchers observe a current condition and look to the past to try to explain the cause.

Describe the attiudes, beliefs, and bx of a population.

a count (or study) of all members of a population

Usually involves only one participant.

Study over a long period of time

Research the degree of relationship among two or more quantitative variables.

Numbers. Data can be quantified, allowing for statistical analysis.

Deductive approach to planning - use literature as bases for planning research

Select random sample

Generalize the results to one or more populations

Formed judgment to identify major and minor themes expressed by participants. (Semi-structured interviews.)

Inductive approach to planning - deemphasize literature for planning research

Purposive sample

Summarize result by citing individuals' response

Limit conclusions to only the indiv who were directly studied

a trait or characteristic with two or more categories

Each respondent will belong to only one category.

A variable must have a category for each respondent opinion

stimulus or input / predictor

response or output / criterion

May be substituted for a nondirectional hypothesis.

Redefine a variable in terms of physical steps

(creates operatonal definition)

Evaluation research

Applied research

nonexperimental research to firgure out what are the practical needs of served by the program

provide a whole picture of what is and is not known, as well as atempt to show how diverse pieces of information fit together and make sense

group in which researchers are ultimately interested

Give every member of an population an equal chance to be part of the sample

may use simple random sample

Predjudice

may use sample of convenience/accidental

Volunteerism - call for, may not participate

Every member of a population is given an equal chance of being included in a sample.

(drawing names from a hat)

Errors created by random sampling

(disporportionality of gender, etc.)

(very similar to simple random sampling)

Every nth individual is selected.

Technical term for discussing the magnitude of sampling errors.

To use stratification in conjunction with random sampling.

Researchers draw random groups (clusters) of participants instead of drawing individuals.

Researchers puposively select individuals who they believe will be good sources of information.

Useful when attempting to locate participants who are hard to find.

participants drop out of experiements

special type of sampling bias results in experiments

Studies designed to obtain preliminary information on how new treatments and instruments work.

Any type of measurement device (e.g. test, questionnaire, interview schedule, or personality scale).

An instrument is valid when it measure what it is deigned to measure and accurately performs the function(s) it is purported to perform.