Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Approaches Chapter 2

Research Paradigm A perspective held by a community of researchers that is based on a set of shared assumptions, concepts, values and practices. Qualitative Quantitative Mixed

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Incompatibility Thesis says you cannot mix the two. Pragmatism says that what works is what is important or valid.

So, What’s the Difference? Quantitative Relies primarily on the collection of numerical data. Focuses on hypothesis and theory testing. “narrow-angled” lens. Only one factor is manipulated. Researchers operate under the assumption of objectivity. Reduces measurements to numbers. Reports are commonly reported in journals and only 5-15 pages in length. Qualitative Relies primarily on the collection of nonnumerical data. Used to understand people’s experiences and to express their perspectives. “wide or deep-angled” lens Researchers observe behavior as it occurs naturally without intervening. Researchers believe that reality is socially constructed. Measurements are usually in the form of words. Reports are longer, written in narrative form and published in the form of books or monographs.

Mixed Research Research that involves the mixing of quantitative and qualitative methods or other paradigm characteristics.

Determinism All events have more than one cause.

Probalistic Causes Causes that usually produce an outcome.

Linguistic-Relativity Hypothesis The idea that people see and understand the world through the lens of their local language. People’s thoughts are bound by their language.

Vestehen Method of empathetic understanding of others’ viewpoints, intentions, and cultural beliefs.

Quantitative Research Methods Experimental and Nonexperimental Research

Variables TYPES OF VARIABLES QuantitativeDependentModeratorCategoricalIndependent Intervening Or Mediating

Independent vs. Dependent Independent = A variable that is presumed to cause a change in another variable Dependent = A variable that is presumend to be influenced by one or more independent variables

Quantitative vs. Categorical Quantitative = Variable that varies in degree or amount #s Height Weight Temperature Annual income age Categorical = Variable that varies by type or kind Groups Gender Religion Ethnicity College major Social class

Intervening or Mediating Variable A variable that occurs between two other variables; it’s a mediating variable.

Moderator Variable A variable that changes the relationship between other variables

Cause-and-Effect Relationship: The purpose of Experimental Research

Cause-and-Effect Relationship A relationship in which one variable affects another variable

Experimental Research Research in which the researcher manipulates the independent variable and is interested in showing cause and effect Beware of the EXTRANEOUS and CONFOUNDING variables!

Extraneous Variable A variable that may compete with the independent variable in explaining the outcome

Confounding Variable A type of extraneous variable that was not controlled for and is the reason a particular “confounded” result is observed

Nonexperimental Research Causal-Comparative Research Correlational Research

Causal-Comparative Research A form of nonexperimental research in which the primary independent variable of interest is a categorical variable

Correlational Research A form of research where the researcher studies the relationship between one or more quantitative independent variables and one or more quantitative dependent variables; in other words, independent and dependent variables are quantitative

Correlational Coefficient: A numerical index that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. (Positive or Negative DOES NOT MATTER, only the numbers distance from zero is relevant!) Positive correlation= the situation when scores on two variables tend to move in the same direction Negative correlation= the situation when scores on two variables tend to move in opposite directions

Qualitative Research Methods Qualitative Research Methods PhenomenologyEthnographyCase Study Grounded Theory Historical

Phenomenology A form of qualitative research in which the researcher attempts to understand how one or more individuals experience a phenomenon

Ethnography: A form of qualitative research focused on describing the culture of a group. Culture = The shared attitudes, values, norms, and practices, patterns of interaction, perspectives, and language of a group of people Holisitic description= The description of how members of a group interact and how they come together to make up the group as a whole

Case Study Research A form of qualitative research that is focused on providing a detailed account of one or more cases The 7 Up documentary series is a great example of this type of research.

Grounded Theory Research A qualitative approach to generating and developing a theory from the data that the researcher collects

Historical Research Research about people, places, and events in the past

Mixed Research

The Fundamental Principle of Mixed Research By combining two or more research methods with different strengths and weaknesses in a research study, you can make it less likely that you will make a mistake