1. Reader’s Digest Version
Research Process
Reader’s Digest Version

2. 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

3. 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)

4. Variable Map

5. 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)

6. 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?

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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?

13. 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

14. 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)