Reader’s Digest Version Research Process Reader’s Digest Version

Choose a Topic Step 1: Find an area of Interest Step 2: Learn about that area (read) Step 3: Look for a problem that hasn’t been addressed while reading Step 4: Look for answers to the problem (more reading) Step 5: If people tried to answer problem, look for uncontrolled variables

Identify Variables IV – Independent Variable – the thing you’ll change in the research DV – dependent Variable – the thing you’ll check if it get’s affected CV – Controlled Variable – variable you’ll make sure can’t affect the result FV – Factored Variable – subject variable you analyze separately (example = gender)

Variable Map

Subjects Identify subjects that will control your control variables Identify subjects that will evenly represent your factored variables Identify subjects you can work with for the entire length of the study (Experimental mortality)

Question What is the effect of the IV on the DV in selected subjects? What is the effects of sustained silent reading on motivation to read in my 3rd students?

Assessment Identify an assessment that is valid and reliable for measuring the DV Identify a grouping (traditional design) or repeated measure method (small-n/single subject) that controls your CVs and allows manipulation of IVs and FVs for your chosen sample Verify it can be done within your timeline

Types of Assessments Standardized Tests Self Created Tests Observations Surveys Sampling of Authentic Work

Data Collection Some assessments offer more than one score/data Know how you’ll analyze data so you will choose the correct data to collect and not waste time collecting extra data

Data Analysis Qualitative Quantitative Descriptive = mean, median, mode, standard deviation, frequency distribution Between Variable = Pearson, Spearman, Multiple Regression, Chi-Square Between Groups = ANOVA, MANOVA, T-tests

Research Design Choose a design that: Controls your variables Fits your timeline Provide the data you need for analysis Protects your human subjects

Double Check Research Design unintended effects of an intervention, and how might they influence the outcomes? Any missing variables not accounted for? Can you get any answers besides supporting or disproving your null hypothesis?

Beginning to Collect Data By now, your introduction, review of literature, and method sections of your paper should be written and the data analysis ready to just input numbers

Downhill Collect your data Analysis - Input numbers into your analysis template Draw conclusions Write the conclusions portion of your paper Submit your paper (after checking grammar, spelling, etc. of course)