TODAY’S GOALS Begin developing research proposal topics and research questions Introduce the three primary research methods we will be working with Form up groups for unit 2

RESEARCH QUESTIONS Exploratory Narrative vs.Research Proposal Broad, open ended Long, complex answers Decisive answers not necessary Qualitative Explores big, often global or countrywide issues Determinate Concise answers Objective is to find the answer to the research question Quantitative or qualitative Focus on smaller groups that you have access to for research Can still deal with global issues but from a more limited perspective

DETERMINATE RESEARCH QUESTION FORMS Existence Questions Does X exist in domain Y? What is the best solution to problem X? Best methods: interviews, observations, and surveys are all helpful here Measurement Questions How large/small/fast/much/many is X? Best methods: Surveys and observations Comparison Questions Is X Greater/less than Y or different from Y? Best methods: surveys and observations Correlation Questions (If X varies, does Y vary?) Best methods: surveys and observations Experimental Questions Does a variation in X cause a variation in Y? Best method: surveys For these experiments, keep in mind that FIU students and professors will be your best and easiest resources to access.

Research Methods InterviewsObservationsSurveys Information generated QualitativeQualitative or quantitative Quantitative Best research targets Experts in the field (often professors) Observable social situations Recorded media that can be analyzed General’s person’s perspective (students or otherwise) Best appeal Ethos Logos Advantages Quotes can be a powerful resource for writing Uses expert opinions Arguably most authentic method Allows research of real life and everyday situations & media Reach large number of subjects Great for showing general opinion/knowledg e/experiences Disadvantages Arguably the most time consuming Requires social skills Finding a good observation site is difficult Requires extreme objectivity when interpreting data Requires large number of participants Interpreting data requires math skills

SUCCESSFUL PAST RESEARCH QUESTIONS What is the best solution to global warming? Method: interviews Interviewed meteorology and political science professors to get expert opinions about the issue Does violence in video games affect behavior? Method: surveys Examined college students and their experience with fights/crimes/violent behavior and compared that to their video game usage Alternate method: observations Observed people’s behavior in an arcade/game room, looking for differences in behavior between people that played violent games vs. nonviolent games Has women’s portrayal in the media improved in the past decade? Method: observations Student analyzed the 3 highest grossing films in 2003 and the three highest grossing films in 2013 while conducting the Bechdel test and taking notes on the female characters Is technology helping or hindering classroom learning? Methods: interviews & surveys Student began by interviewing professors about how they used technology in the classroom and whether they thought it was helpful Conducted follow up surveys that correlated students GPA with their number of online classes, hubrid classes, and technology assisted classrooms

JOURNAL ENTRY 15 Focus: Primary Research Brainstorm For this journal entry, brainstorm possible ideas for primary research you could conduct to answer the research question you generated in class. Which of the three methods we discussed would be best suited to your research question? Why? Which of the three research methods do you think you would be best equipped to perform? If using interviews, what experts might you decide to interview? If using observations, what situations or media could you observe for useful data? If using surveys, what kind of information from the general public would be useful to your research?

FORM UNIT 2 GROUPS Groups can be 3-5 students All group members must have selected the same research method

GROUP ACTIVITY- RESEARCH PROPOSAL BRAINSTORM In your unit 2 groups Share your exploratory narrative research topics with the group as well as any topic you are considering for the research proposal For each group member: 1.Formulate 2 possible research questions that fit into each person’s topic and fit the frame on 279. Keep these determinate and focus on asking questions you can realistically answer with your own research 2.Indicate what experimental method we discussed (interviews, observations, or surveys) would be best to answer each person’s research question) 3.For each question, generate a possible hypothesis or thesis statement

HOMEWORK: Read A&B pg Journal Entry 16 Focus: Research Proposal Thesis Question Brainstorm Take a few minutes to begin developing the research question you will use for your research proposal Keep in mind that this research question should be determinate in nature (as opposed to the broad research questions from the exploratory narrative). However, it may be quantitative or qualitative, and you should keep in mind that this research question should be one you can realistically answer in your own research. What are the unresolved problems related to this topic? Why is it difficult to find a solution to these problems? What type of research questions would be easiest to answer with your selected research method? What elements of this topic are still unknown? How could you (or researchers) learn more about these elements? What research questions could you work with in your research proposal? It may be helpful to list out several here and then work towards revising them later