1. Introduction to Theory & Research Design
Qualitative, Quantitative & Mixed Method

2. Terms to Know
Hypothesis: An educated guess about the possible relationship between two or more variables.
Variable: A factor or element that can change in observable and measurable ways.
Operational Definition: A full description of exactly how variables are defined, how they will be manipulated, and how they will be measured.

3. What’s a Theory?
A theory is a based upon a hypothesis and backed by evidence
A theory presents a concept or idea that is testable
In science, a theory is not merely a guess
A theory is a fact-based framework for describing a phenomenon
In psychology, theories are used to provide a model for understanding human thoughts, emotions and behaviors

4. What’s a Hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables
A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what one expects to happen in a research study

5. In Psychololgy A psychological theory has two key components:
(1) it must describe a behavior and
(2) make predictions about future behaviors.

6. Three Approaches to Research
Quantitative
Qualitative
Mixed Methods

7. Quantitative
Postpositive claims: Cause & effect, measurement & observations, tests of theories, etc.
Experiments
Surveys
Predetermined instruments that yield statistical data

8. Quantitative Tests or verifies theories or explanations
Identifies variables to study
Observes & measures information numerically
Uses unbiased approaches
Employs statistical procedures

9. Qualitative Advocacy Phenomenology Grounded Theory Ethnography
Case Study
Narrative
Advocacy grew out the 1980s and 1990s when some researchers felt that the post positivist assumptions imposed structural laws and theories that did not fit marginalized individuals or grous or did not adequately address issues of social justice. These researchers believe that inquiry needs to be intertwined with politics and a political agenda. Therefore the research should contain an action agenda for reform that may change the lives of the participants, the institutions, and the researchers life
In Phenomenology researchers identify the “essence” of human experiences concerning a phenomenon as described by participants in a study
Grounded theory – the researcher attempts to derive a general, abstract theory of a process action, or interaction grounded in the views of the participants of the study
In an ethnographic study the researchers study an intact cultural group in a natural setting over a prolonged period of time by primarily collecting observational data
Case study explores in depth a program an event an activity a process or one or more individuals the cases are bound by time and activities – researchers collect detailed information using a variety of data collection procedures over a sustained period of time

10. Qualitative Open-ended questions Emerging approaches
Text or image data
Focuses on a single concept
Brings personal values into the study
Studies the context or setting
Makes interpretations

11. Mixed Methods Pragmatic knowledge claims
Sequential, concurrent and transformative

12. Mixed Methods Both open-ended and closed-ended questions
Both emerging and predetermined approaches
Both qualitative & quantitative data and analysis
Develops a rationale for mixing
Integrates the data at different stages of inquiry
Presents visual pictures
Employs the practices of both

13. The Abstract The abstract is a brief summary of the research article
Description

14. The Introduction
An introduction is the first passage in a scholarly research study
The authors announce a problem
They justify why it needs to be studied
The type of problem or question will vary depending on the approach: qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods

15. Purpose Statement
The purpose statement indicates why you want to do the study & what you intend to accomplish
Qualitative statements contain the important elements of the research
Quantitative statements focus on relating & comparing variables or constructs
Mixed Methods will convey both qualitative & quantative statements

16. Research Questions & Hypotheses
Qualitative research state questions not objectives or hypotheses
Quantitative research questions are interrogative statements or questions that the researcher intends to answer
Mixed Methods need to have both qualitative & quantitative hypotheses or questions

17. Review of the Literature
Usually presented in a separate section of the research article
It uses previous studies to support, justify, and demonstrate the need for the current study

18. Use of Theory
Quantitative researchers use theory to provide an explanation or prediction about the relationship of the variables
Qualitative researchers use theory as a broad explanation
Mixed Method researchers use theory either inductively or deductively

19. Definitions
Researchers define terms so that readers are able to understand their precise meaning
Researchers might define terms with different intent
No one format exists for defining terms

20. Limitations Researchers will note the limitations of their studies
Small population sample
Temporal limitations
Cultural variables
Etc.

21. Significance
Ways in which the research study adds to the scholarly research and literature in the field
Ways in which the research study helps to improve practice
Ways in which the research study will improve policy

22. Methods Surveys Experiments Population & sample Instrumentation
Variables
Data Analysis
Participants
Threats to validity

23. Results & Discussions
Researchers will explain the results of their study
Then will discuss the implications, limitations, suggest, future research

24. Three Research Articles
Find the following in each article:
Abstract
Approach
Introduction
Theory
Purpose Statement
Methods
Significance
Results
Discussion