Research Designs and Variables

Theoretical framework Where we are now… Observation/ Background survey Broad area of research Literature review Problem definition Problem statement Research questions Theoretical framework Variables clearly identified Hypothesis generation Research design Methods Sampling Data collection Analysis Interpretation Deduction Hypothesis substantiated? RQ answered? 12/4/2018

Lesson objectives Recap and checklist for chapters 1 and 2 Describe types of research 12/4/2018

Checklist for chapter 1 Introduction/ Background Problem statement Broad problem or issue that is researched Rationale for the study Problem statement Research questions Hypotheses Definition of key terms Limitations Significance Theoretical Practical 12/4/2018

Checklist for chapter 2 Writing and Evaluating the quality of your literature review Is there an introduction to the document that presents a definition, thesis, and organization for the chapter? Does the order of the headings and subheadings represent the relative importance of the topics and subtopics? Is the order of headings logical? Do the major topics, as represented by the major headings, match the organization put forth in the organizing statement in the introduction? Does each major section have an introduction and a summary? Does the review have a conclusion? 12/4/2018

Checklist for chapter 2 Is the relation of the review to past and current research clearly shown in the summary paragraphs? What are the most relevant and important sources that bear on this topic/problem? Could the reader identify these if asked to do so after reading the review? Are these sources presented in a way that denotes their importance? Are some cited so many times they lose power through repetition? Does the review make sense? Is the review interesting so that the reader wants to learn more? 12/4/2018

Theoretical and conceptual framework What is the difference? Theoretical framework is based on propositional statements resulting from an existing theory Conceptual framework is one that the researcher develop through identifying and defining concepts and proposing relationships between these concepts 12/4/2018

Variables and Constructs Variable : Anything that can take on differing values Examples: Variable How do we measure? Exam scores motivation absenteeism 12/4/2018

Definition of a Variable (A Characteristic or Attribute) Can be and Measured Varies (Can be assessed on an instrument and recorded on an instrument) (Can assume different values or scores for different individuals) 12/4/2018

Variables and Constructs A Variable is an attribute or characteristic stated in a specific or applied way A Construct is an attribute or characteristic expressed in an abstract, general way. Construct Student Achievement Variable Grade Point Average 12/4/2018

Measured and categorical variables Exists in degree Can assign number Height Weight Interest Age Time spent on task Student motivation School engagement Sleepiness Level of anxiety Categorical Also known as qualitative variable Qualitatively different Eye color Gender Religion Race Occupation Program Subject taught Political party membership 12/4/2018

Types of Variables Dependent Independent Extraneous Moderating 12/4/2018

Dependent Variable Dependent Of primary interest Purpose is to predict the variability of this variable Researcher measures this variable Dependent Variable Physics Test scores 12/4/2018

Independent Variable Independent One that influences the dependent variable Positive or negative When the independent variable is present, the dependent variable is also present Independent Variable Dependent Variable Use of simulation Test Scores 12/4/2018

Extraneous variables Other variables that influence What will influence the relationship between use of simulation and test scores 12/4/2018

Moderating Variable Moderating One that has a strong contingent effect on the independent variable- dependent variable relationship Its presence will modify originally expected relationship 12/4/2018

Moderating Variable Independent Variable Dependent Variable Use of simulation Physics Test scores Moderating variable Physics Anxiety 12/4/2018

A good theoretical framework Variables clearly identified Important relationships theorized Indication of positive or negative relationships if there are sufficient findings from previous research Clear explanation of why the relationships are expected Draw a schematic diagram Independent Variable 1 Independent Variable 2 Dependent Variable Independent Variable 3 12/4/2018

Both are systematic in their approach Quantitative Qualitative Both are systematic in their approach Objective Subjective Deductive Inductive Generalisable Not generalisable Numbers Words  Research paradigms   Recap

Basic Types of Research Correlational Experimental TYPES Descriptive Causal Comparative 12/4/2018

Types of studies : Descriptive the researcher attempts to document what is actually occurring may be either qualitative (descriptions in words) or quantitative (descriptions in numbers) Quantitative descriptive research = survey research The researcher has no control over the phenomena of study, but simply records what is observed or reported. 12/4/2018

Types of studies : Correlational Correlational (Quantitative) the research relates the level of one variable to a corresponding level of another variable in an attempt to discover any relationships between them Purpose is to predict the level of one variable by knowing the level of a second variable The researcher has only moderate, if any, control over the variables in this type of study Most often used study in educational psychology as well as in many areas of the social and behavioral sciences 12/4/2018

Types of studies : Experimental Experimental ( Quantitative) the researcher randomly assigns subjects to at least two groups (experimental and control) In the experimental group, the researcher manipulates the level of one (independent) variable and observes the corresponding change, if any, in the level of another (dependent) variable. Purpose is to determine if there is a causal relationship between the two variables. 12/4/2018

Types of studies : Experimental Quasi Experimental non randomly assignment of subject to at least two groups (experimental and control) 12/4/2018

Types of studies : Causal comparative Causal comparative / ex post facto Explores relationship among variables that cannot meet the true experimental research. Usually the independent variable cannot be manipulated / has already occurred Age, gender, smoking At least two different groups are compared on some dependent variable Math achievement of non smoker/ smoker 12/4/2018

EXAMPLE: The effect of having a working mother on primary school student’s absenteeism. What are the two groups?

Research Designs

Designing a research Check purpose of your study Look at your data Exploratory? Descriptive? Hypothesis Testing? Look at your data Numerical? Narrative? Also ask Looking at differences? Association? Correlation? Decide the research techniques How to collect data? 12/4/2018

Exploratory Do not know about the situation at hand Have very little or no info of the problem For obtaining a good grasp on the phenomena of interest Usually qualitative Extensive interviews Observations Data reveals patterns of interest Leads to descriptive/survey 12/4/2018

Examples Work ethics of non Malays in UiTM Learning support needs of PKPG students Math students’ interest in the philosophy of science

Descriptive study Describing characteristics of variables or situation Qualitative aspects Quantitative aspects Descriptive statistics – frequency, mean, standard deviation EXAMPLES Profile of Malaysian adult learners Characteristics of a successful PKPG student 12/4/2018

Hypothesis testing Beyond describing – understand relationship Explain nature of certain relationship Establish differences among groups Explain independence of factors in a situation EXAMPLES: More male learners than female learners engage in plagiarism Achievement in research courses is related to ……. 12/4/2018

Ask questions Is data numerical or narrative? narrative numerical Cause – effect relationship Past event? Both numerical And narrative yes no yes no Independent variable manipulated? Relationship? Prediction? Historical research Qualitative research : Exploratory Ethnography Case study Grounded Theory yes no yes no Experimental research Causal comparative research Correlational research Descriptive research 12/4/2018

Determine your research design Is your main data numerical or narrative? numerical narrative Numerical and narrative equally substantial Cause – effect relationship Past event? Historical research Independent variable manipulated? Relationship? Prediction? Qualitative research : Descriptive Exploratory Case study Ethnography Experimental research Correlational research Causal comparative research Survey 12/4/2018

Quantitative Designs and Uses Intervention Research Non-Intervention Research Explaining whether an intervention influences an outcome for one group as opposed to another group Associating or relating variables in a predictable pattern for one group of individuals Describing trends for the population of people Experimental Research Correlational Research Survey Research 12/4/2018

Qualitative Designs and Uses Exploring the shared culture of a people group Exploring common experiences of individuals to develop a theory Exploring individual stories to describe the lives of people Ethnographic Research Grounded Theory Research Narrative Research 12/4/2018

Combined Designs and Uses Combining quantitative and qualitative data to best understand and explain a research problem. Using quantitative and qualitative data for individuals to study problems that they face in their setting Mixed Method Research Action Research 12/4/2018

Reviewing the Literature Analyze and Interpret Data Characteristics of Quantitative and Qualitative Research in the Process of Research Steps in the Research Process Two Approaches Research Designs Quantitative Qualitative Identifying a Problem Quantitative Qualitative Reviewing the Literature Experimental Correlational Survey Quantitative Qualitative Specifying a Purpose Quantitative Qualitative Collecting Data Mixed Method Action Research Quantitative Qualitative Analyze and Interpret Data Ethnography Grounded Theory Narrative Quantitative Qualitative Report and Evaluate 12/4/2018

Experimental Research Design 12/4/2018

Example: Qualitative Research Design Choosing Appropriate Theoretical Framework Form research questions Select cases Design and pilot interview questions Conduct interview Electronic Focus group Email interview Collect quantitative data on utilization of support elements by the group Trend analysis Content analysis Data Interpretations Cross subject (groups) analysis Extraction of themes Preliminary Stage Fieldwork and Analysis Stage Conclusion Stage Draw Conclusions Create threaded discussion in forum 12/4/2018

Action Research Next….