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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