The research process Bailey Ch: 1 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

The Research Process Step 1: Find a research idea Selecting general topic, reviewing the literature (previous research) Step 2: Convert your research idea into a specific research hypothesis PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

Step 1: Research Ideas I wonder…… PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

Find a research idea Research is often driven by curiosity. Continuum of the development of research ideas Informal Formal “This is interesting. I’d like to know more.” “We understand some things, but there are still questions.” “We’ve got a problem to solve.” “The theory says X. Let’s test the theory.” “Here [is] a first principle not formally recognized by scientific methodologists: When you run onto something interesting, drop everything else and study it.” (B. F. Skinner, 1956) Where do ideas come from? We typically study things that we’re interested in. PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

Where do ideas come from? Glueck & Jauck (1975) Examined where researchers tend to get their research ideas Self Literature Colleagues % of time get ideas from various sources PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

Idea origins Common Sense Observation Identify a problem Ask the Experts Past research – find out what research has already been done and ask yourself “what don’t we know still” (or perhaps better “what do we NEED to know that we don’t already know) follow-up studies, expanding the past research in more detail or new directions improvements on past research studies, maybe you think the past research had some serious flaws or limitations Pavlov was working on dog digestive systems. Noticed dogs salivated when put into their harnesses prior to being fed. This observation and the subsequent work led to groundbreaking work in how animal (including humans) learn - classical conditioning PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

Step 2: Convert your research idea into a specific research hypothesis if… then PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

The Initial Idea The initial idea is the starting point I am interested in the effects of television on children The initial idea is the starting point Often vague or general, it requires refining before research hypotheses can be generated PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

The Initial Idea The initial idea is the starting point Refinement of the initial idea is based on (1) a search of relevant research literature (2) initial observations of the phenomenon Want to narrow and formalize the initial idea into a statement of the problem The initial idea is the starting point Often vague or general, it requires refining before research hypotheses can be generated PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

From Statement of the Problem to Hypothesis In the form of a question that clearly indicates an expected relationship Next step is to convert your research idea into a research hypothesis (es) by operationally defining the variables Watching cartoons with violent content will be positively associated with aggresive behavior of children towards his/her peers. The nature of the question + resources available will dictate the research design yo be used. Causal questions will require experimental research Questions about relationships can be answered with correlational research. PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

Statement of the Problem Variable: a characteristic or property that can vary Height, weight, age, self-esteem, social class, income, inequality, race/ethnicity, parenting style... In our hypothesis, our variables are: Watching cartoons with violent content Depiction of aggresive behavior PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

From research idea to hypothesis Hypothesis:A statement that provides a tentative description or explanation for the relationship between variables. An objective extension of the question that was originally posed A belief or prediction of the eventual outcome of the research Scientific research tests specific hypotheses Generated from the initial research idea through a series of steps (Figure 8.1, page 179) DEFINITION: a declarative statement of relation btwn 2 or more variables. Should be precise – unambigious and testable (collect data to confirm or disconfirm) predicts a relation. a statement of how variables are expected to be related to one another A concrete, specific statement about the relationships between phenomena States clearly the expected relationship between the variables The form is a declarative statement, but it is a tentative statement to be tested in research Implicitly or explicitly, the variables in the research hypothesis are stated in operational definition terms Not all questions are answerable **** have to be testable… more on bad and good hyp. Next time. PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

The process of designing a research RESEARCH QUESTION WHY IS MY RESEARCH IMPORTANT? WHAT HAVE OTHER RESEARCHERS DONE? WHAT HAVE THEY FOUND? HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

What have others done? Why do a review of the literature? Getting ideas, finding out what has/hasn’t been done, avoid past mistakes, etc. What is the literature? Primary and secondary sources Conferences How do you search the literature? Journal Articles What happens when a researcher finishes a study? They share it in a detailed report that provides such information as a literature review (used as a basis to inform the new research), methods, sampling procedures, results, and a discussion. These results are shared through conferences and scholarly journals. Every academic field has professional journals that publish the results of researchers. Journals only accept a fraction of the articles submitted to them. Generally the more prestigious the journal the fewer articles accepted since everyone wants to get published in them. Rates of acceptance are usually available from the publisher or other sources. Most journals are refereed. They use a panel of experts on specialized subjects within the discipline to scrutinize the work that is submitted without knowing who wrote the original article. These are the type of journals you are expected to peruse for your literature review in preparation for your final paper. Various disciplines have national and even international conferences. At these conferences researchers come together to present the findings of their research. Conference proceedings are often published. Conferences are one way that information is shared. PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

Previous research on the effects of TV on children Factors investigated: Age of the child, degree of violance in the programs, stage of the child’s cognitive growth, mother’s interactions with the child, emotional arousal, content of the program… What has not been investigated ? (at least as much) What will contribute to the understanding of the question I am asking is available for me to investigate …. PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007

Then the hypothesis becomes Boys who view aggressive acts during prime time cartoon shows are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors… PSYC/SOCI 201 PSYC/SOCI 201 Spring 2007