CSD 5100CSD 5100Introduction to Research Introduction to Research

Methods in CSDMethods in CSD

First Day Opening StretchFirst Day Opening Stretch

Course Requirements/SyllabusWhat is Science?What is Research?The Scientific MethodWhy is Research Important to Clinical Practice?

The Philosophy of ScienceThe Philosophy of Science

Science Science is the is the workwork that entails the that entails the search for answers to certain search for answers to certain questions we may have about the questions we may have about the physical world, human behavior, physical world, human behavior, disease, anything…disease, anything…

The tool we use for this search is theThe tool we use for this search is the research processresearch process

Logical Reasoning ProcessLogical Reasoning Process

The cornerstone of scientific inquiry is The cornerstone of scientific inquiry is logical reasoninglogical reasoning

Two types:Two types:Deductive reasoningDeductive reasoning

Begins with a general premise or law known to be true Begins with a general premise or law known to be true which is used to explain specific observations or which is used to explain specific observations or behaviorsbehaviors

Inductive reasoningInductive reasoningA general theory or law is derived from a series of A general theory or law is derived from a series of

specific observations or individual casesspecific observations or individual cases

Science Is More Than Just Science Is More Than Just Logical Thinking…Logical Thinking…

EmpiricismEmpiricismThe elements of a problem under study The elements of a problem under study must must

be able to be be able to be observed, measured, or testedobserved, measured, or tested““Seeing is Believing”Seeing is Believing”

OperationalismOperationalismObservations, events, and behaviors should Observations, events, and behaviors should

be defined be defined quantitativelyquantitatively in measurable in measurable valuesvalues

Scientific Research: Definition Scientific Research: Definition and Assumptionsand Assumptions

The The processprocess by which we attempt to by which we attempt to understand the worldunderstand the world

Three basic underlying assumptions:Three basic underlying assumptions:OrderOrder

events occur in regular patterns, not randomlyevents occur in regular patterns, not randomly

DeterminismDeterminismthe occurrence of an event is determined by the occurrence of an event is determined by

prior eventsprior events

DiscoverabilityDiscoverabilitywe expect to find answers to our questionswe expect to find answers to our questions

Scientific ObservationScientific Observation

Allows us to observe events toAllows us to observe events to explain explain the relationship between two or more the relationship between two or more variablesvariables

Prerequisites of Scientific Prerequisites of Scientific ObservationObservation

ObjectivityObjectivityMaking observations without interference from the Making observations without interference from the

observer’s personal biases, beliefs, or emotionobserver’s personal biases, beliefs, or emotion

PublicityPublicityObservations should be publicObservations should be public

RepeatabilityRepeatabilityObservations must be described in enough detail Observations must be described in enough detail

to allow others to replicate the methods and to allow others to replicate the methods and resultsresults

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

The formal steps to the research process The formal steps to the research process to answer a research questionto answer a research question

Five major steps to the scientific methodFive major steps to the scientific methodThe statement of the problemThe statement of the problemThe research hypothesisThe research hypothesisThe research methodThe research methodThe analysis of resultsThe analysis of resultsThe interpretation of the resultsThe interpretation of the results

Statement of the ProblemStatement of the Problem

A clear description of the problem A clear description of the problem along with the rationale for its studyalong with the rationale for its study

Research HypothesisResearch Hypothesis

A best guess as to the answer to the A best guess as to the answer to the research questionresearch question

Research MethodResearch Method

A procedure for answering the A procedure for answering the research questionresearch questionIncludes a specification of participants Includes a specification of participants

(subjects) and a detailed plan for (subjects) and a detailed plan for observing behaviors and recording observing behaviors and recording observations (data)observations (data)

ValidityValidity

ReliabilityReliability

Analysis of the ResultsAnalysis of the Results

After collecting and recording the data, After collecting and recording the data, we need to make sense of the resultswe need to make sense of the resultsGraphsGraphs

TablesTables

Statistical analysesStatistical analyses

Interpretation of ResultsInterpretation of Results

Major goalsMajor goalsTo answer the research questionTo answer the research question

To support or refute the research To support or refute the research hypothesishypothesis

Types of Research in CSDTypes of Research in CSD

Basic and applied researchBasic and applied research

Laboratory and field studiesLaboratory and field studies

Experimental and quasi-experimental Experimental and quasi-experimental researchresearch

Basic and Applied ResearchBasic and Applied Research

Basic researchBasic researchSole purpose is to contribute new Sole purpose is to contribute new

scientific knowledge with no intention of scientific knowledge with no intention of solving a clinical problem or any other solving a clinical problem or any other practical applicationpractical application

Applied researchApplied researchPurpose is to solve a clinical problem or Purpose is to solve a clinical problem or

prove practical applicationprove practical application

Laboratory and Field StudiesLaboratory and Field Studies

Field researchField researchConducted in everyday settingsConducted in everyday settings

Laboratory researchLaboratory researchConducted in contrived settings outside Conducted in contrived settings outside

the mainstream of daily lifethe mainstream of daily life

Experimental and Quasi-Experimental and Quasi-Experimental ResearchExperimental Research

Two requirements for true experimental Two requirements for true experimental research:research:Random assignment of subjectsRandom assignment of subjects

Complete control over selection of conditionsComplete control over selection of conditions

If these requirements aren’t strictly met, If these requirements aren’t strictly met, then the research is quasi-experimentalthen the research is quasi-experimentalQuasi means “as if”, “almost”, “having a Quasi means “as if”, “almost”, “having a

likeness to”likeness to”

The Ten Thousand Dollar The Ten Thousand Dollar Question…Question…

Why is the study of research methods Why is the study of research methods so important to the field of so important to the field of communication disorders?communication disorders?

Why do we make you take this class?Why do we make you take this class?

Why is research such an important Why is research such an important component to the graduate program, component to the graduate program, both academically and clinically?both academically and clinically?

The Importance of ResearchThe Importance of Research

Maximizing clinical effectivenessMaximizing clinical effectivenessUnderstanding the research process Understanding the research process

improves critical thinking and the improves critical thinking and the application of problem-solving skillsapplication of problem-solving skills

Explosion of informationExplosion of informationThe quality of our clinical work depends The quality of our clinical work depends

on our ability to evaluate and use on our ability to evaluate and use relevant information as it emergesrelevant information as it emerges

Evidence-based clinical practiceEvidence-based clinical practice

Evidence-Based Clinical Evidence-Based Clinical PracticePracticeUsing research to help us, as clinicians, to Using research to help us, as clinicians, to

design better clinical programs and to design better clinical programs and to better assess their better assess their reliabilityreliability and and validityvalidity““the conscientious, explicit and judicious use the conscientious, explicit and judicious use

of current best evidence in making decisions of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. It about the care of individual patients. It means integrating individual clinical means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research”clinical evidence from systematic research”

Next Week…Next Week…

Ethics in ResearchEthics in Research