Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Chapter 1 Nature and Purpose of Research

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Profession: Knowledge –Publications of new work –New knowledge may challenge old beliefs Research: Way to obtain new knowledge –Requires unique set of skills

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al What is Research? Usually systematic, organized Usually focused on question of interest Searches for “truth” Should be free of bias and should be objective

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Search for “Truth” – Where do your beliefs come from? Custom and tradition Authority Personal experience Deductive reasoning Scientific inquiry

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Deductive reasoning (logic) Direction of thinking from general assumption to specific application Syllogism: Major weakness:

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Induction Direction of thinking is from the specific to the general Basic principle of scientific inquiry Researcher observes individual or group from larger population Perfect induction vs. imperfect induction

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Scientific Method Integration of deduction and induction by Charles Darwin Series of logical steps that define a pathway to acquire knowledge

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Scientific Method - steps 1.Identifying the problem 2.Formulating a hypothesis 3.Developing a Research Plan 4.Collecting and analyzing the data 5.Interpreting results and forming conclusions Frequently return to Step 1!

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al 1) Identifying the problem Problem needs to be: Specify a problem statement

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al 2) Formulating a hypothesis What is a hypothesis? –Belief, hunch, prediction about what you think the data will look like at the end of the study and what that will mean Exploratory studies may not have a hypothesis

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al 3) Developing a Research Plan MOST IMPORTANT STEP! Strategy for collecting and analyzing data 1.Methodology 2.Subject composition, recruitment 3.Procedures for obtaining data (interviews, questionnaires, lab tests?) 4.Analysis methods

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al 4) Collecting and analyzing data Follow procedures from step 3 (hopefully!)

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al 5) Interpreting results and forming conclusions How does the data you gathered support/refute the hypothesis? Goal of the conclusions is to provide an explanation of the results (not just restate them)

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Application of Scientific Method Not always possible to control and design your dream experiment Many differences between natural science and social sciences in application

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Theory Belief or assumption about how things relate to each other Establishes cause-effect relationship with goal of explaining and predicting Example: benefit of exercise on human health May lead to development of new hypotheses!

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Research Classifications Basic research Applied research Quantitative research Qualitative research Experimental research Causal-comparative research Descriptive research Correlationl research Historical research

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Basic research Pure, fundamental Theoretical Goal is to discover new knowledge & develop new theory May not have immediate practical value

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Applied research Goal is to solve immediate practical problem Hopes to make inferences beyond study sample to larger population

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Quantitative research Collection & analysis of numerical data Use direct testing 1.Questions clearly stated 2.Hypotheses 3.Well-developed procedures 4.Controls for extraneous factors 5.Large samples 6.Statistical analyses

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Qualitative research Extensive observations & in-depth interviews Non-numerical data Usually conducted in “natural” settings (less control) Situational-specific results

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Experimental research Exploration of cause and effect Manipulation of independent variables

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Causal-comparative research Tries to explain cause and effect Independent variable not manipulated

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Descriptive research Information is collected to systematically, factually, and accurately describe certain characteristics Focus on the present (what is) Frequently comes before experimental research

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Correlational research Nonexperimental Related to descriptive and causal- comparative Determine extent of relationship between 2 variables and try to make predictions No variable manipulation

Chapter 1 Conducting & Reading Research Baumgartner et al Historical research Nonexperimental Qualitative and descriptive Try to record and understand past events to predict future events Limited to study of data that already exist