Sridhar Rajappan

AgendaQuestions about what we have covered so

far?Key TermsComparison of research designsPreview of unit 6

Key TermsCorrelation Correlational Research Descriptive Research Designs Developmental Designs Interviews Qualitative Research Designs Observation Studies (also known as “naturalistic

observation”) Open-Ended Question Survey Research

Research Process is Cyclical

Scientific Research Process Step 4. Collect New Data Identify a Research Design Create a Sampling Plan Apply Research Methods

Scientific Research Process Step 4. Collect New Data Research Design =

Scientific Research Process Step 4. Collect New Data Research Design = the process for conducting the

studyCategories

Scientific Research Process Step 4. Collect New Data Research Design = the process for conducting the

studyCategories

Qualitative Quantitative Mixed

Step 4: Research Design Qualitative ResearchWhat is qualitative research?

Step 4: Research DesignQualitative ResearchAimed at achieving an in depth

understanding of a phenomenon What are the strengths of qualitative

designs?

Strengths of Qualitative Research DesignsIn depth studyGreat for new areas in which there are no

identified measurable variablesFlexible – go were the research takes youUses multiple sources of data

Weaknesses of Qualitative Research Designs

Weaknesses of Qualitative Research DesignsTime consumingCan be difficult to find sources of informationRequires creativity to find and retrieve

information from sources of dataRequires organizational and intuitive skill to

categorize and analyze data

Step 4 Research DesignsQualitative Research DesignsCase StudyEthnographyPhenomenologicalGrounded TheoryContent analysisHistorical research

Step 4 Research DesignQuantitative ResearchWhat is quantitative research?

Step 4 Research DesignQuantitative ResearchAimed at finding out statistical

patterns of variables related to a problem

Step 4 Research DesignsQuantitative Research Designs

Experimental True experimentQuasi-

experimentalEx Post FactoFactorialMeta-analysis

DescriptiveObservation Studies Correlational

Research Developmental

Designs Survey Research Checklists and Rating

Scales

Quantitative Research DesignsObservation—Count & measure—in terms of

numbers. Done with the help of check list to count objects & rating scale to measure events.

Correlation—Focuses on differences in the value of one variable & how it relates to difference in other characteristics. It measures characteristic features of one or two groups. It does not indicate that one variable causes another.

Developmental—Focuses on people as they grow older.

Survey Research—Participants(group) will choose from a set of responses for each question.

Strengths of Quantitative Research Designs

Strengths of Quantitative Research Designs Excellent for identifying statistical

relationships between variablesClear guidelines for conducting research

and analyzing dataMultiple statistical analysis toolsValidity and Reliability of results can be

estimated statistically

Weaknesses of Quantitative Research Designs

Weaknesses of Quantitative Research DesignsRequires knowledge of statistical analysisNumbers can appear more convincing than is

really aptCareful planning needed to effectively gather

numerical data

Step 4 Research DesignsMixed DesignsCombine aspects of qualitative and quantitative

designsVery common

Actually there are few purely qualitative research studies, because most include some basic

descriptive data

What do researchers consider in Choosing Research Designs?

Choosing Research DesignsDepends on purpose of researchData availableHow results are expected to be usedRealistic constraints including fundingEthical issues must be considered

Scientific Research Process Step 4: How to Choose A Research Design?Literature review: sufficient info?

No - QualitativeYes - Based on purpose, etc.

Data resources currently available?No – qualitative OR quantitative by creating a tool

to collect original dataYes - Based on purpose, etc.

Program exists or can be developed?No – qualitative to identify oneNo – mixed design: qualitative to identify or develop

a program and then quantitative to test itYes – Quantitative or Mixed design based on

purpose, etc. (Leedy and Ormrod, 2010)

Scientific Research Process Step 4 Research Design Categories

(Neil, 2007)

Qualitative Quantitative

Aim: Complete, detailed description

Aim: Classify features, count them, construct statistical models to help explain what is observed

Researcher may only know roughly in advance what he/she is looking for

Researcher knows clearly in advance what he/she is looking for

Design choice in early phases of research projects

Design choice latter phases of research projects

Scientific Research Process Step 4 Research Design Categories

Qualitative Quantitative

Design emerges as the study unfolds

All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.

Researcher is data gathering instrument

Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or equipment to collect numerical data

Data is in the form of words, pictures or objects

Data is in the form of numbers and statistics

(Neil, 2007)

Purpose

From: Table 5.1 Leedy & Ormrod (2010)

Nature of Process

From: Table 5.1 Leedy & Ormrod (2010)

Data type and Collection

From: Table 5.1 Leedy & Ormrod (2010)

Questions?Comments?

Scientific Research Process Step 4a. Identify Research DesignResearch Design = the process for conducting the

studyQualitative designsQuantitative designsMixed Methods

Which type do you think would work best in your field? Explain your

answer!

Coming Attractions: Unit 6Seminar:

Review of expectations for unit 6 paperPros and cons of distribution techniques

Discussion: Data collection tools used in a research study

Project: create your own questionnaire

!

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