2/22/2016Copyright Ed Lipinski and Mesa Community College, All rights reserved.1 Research Methods Summer 2008 Developing Ideas For Research

2 Agenda n General Housekeeping n Lesson Objective Ed’s Overview / Discussion Ed’s Overview / Discussion n Questions.

3Objective n “... to identify methods used for developing research”

4 Ed’s Overview n I.Sources of Research Ideas n II.Developing Research Questions n III.Theory Defined n IV.Types of Theory n V.Characteristics of a Good Theory n VI.Developing Theories n VII. Confirming Theories.

5 I. Sources of Research Ideas n A. Unsystematic Observation –Good Starting Point n B. Systematic Observation –Unsystematic Observation –Published Research –Projects on the Internet –Theory –Need.

6 II. Developing Research Questions n A. Asking Answerable Questions n B. Asking The Right Questions – Can It Be Measured – Empirical Questions – Operational Definitions n C. Asking Important Questions – Clarification – Practical Applications.

7 III. Theory Defined n Scientific Theory n Theory Versus Hypothesis n Theory Versus Law n Theory Versus Model n Computer Modeling n Functional Explanations.

8 IV. Types of Theory n A. Quantitative Theory n B. Qualitative Theory n C. Level of Description –Descriptive Theories –Analogical Theories –Fundamental Theories.

9 IV. Types of Theory n D. Domain of a Theory n E. Roles of a Theory –Understanding –Prediction –Organizing and Interpreting –Generating Research.

10 V. Characteristics of a Good Theory n A. Ability to Account for Data n B. Explanatory Relevance n C. Testability n D. Prediction n E. Parsimony.

11 VI. Developing Theories n A. Defining The Scope n B. Knowing The Literature n C. Formulating Your Theory –Act of Creation –Preparedness –Analogy –Introspection n D. Establishing Validity n E. Testing Your Theory.

12 VII. Confirming Theories n A. Confirmation of Theories n B. Disconfirmation of Theories.

13 VII. Confirming Theories n C. Strategies for Testing Theories –Strong Inference –Confirmational Strategy –Disconfirmational Strategy –Using Both Together.

14 Recap n Sources of Research Ideas n Developing Research Questions n Theory Defined n Types of Theory n Characteristics of a Good Theory n Developing Theories n Confirming Theories.

15 Developing Ideas Questions