Lecture 1: Research Design

whats a research approach

aka methodology → plans and procedures for research that span the steps (eg qual, quant, mixed methods)

what is research design

procedures for inquiry (eg rct, longitudinal)

what is a research method

specific mode of data collection, analysis and interpretation (eg survey, semi-structured interviews, etc)

what is a research problem

issue being addressed

what is the focus of qualitative research

focuses on understanding meaning

what kind of questions does qualitative research utilize

emerging questions

what settings does qualitative research occur

participant settings

qualitative research uses a ___ approach to analysis and has a ___ written report

inductive

what is the focus of qualitative research

tests objective theories by examining relationships between measured variables

what type of intrument do quantitive research questions use

surveys → provide numbered data

quantitative research uses a ____approach to analysis and has a ___ written report

deductive, set structure for the written reports

what is mixed methods research

collects both quantitative and qualitative data → integrates two forms of data

designs used in mixed methods

unique and typically involve philosophy or theory

benefit of using mixed method research

gives additional insight to a research problem

what are the four philosophical worldviews

• postpositivism (1800s)

• constructivism (50s)

• transformative (80s)

• pragmatism (90s)

how does a researcher’s worldview affect research

addressed in the proposal → drwas on their research experience/cultural and evironment and how it has shaped their approach

what are the four philosophical worldviews: postpositivism

aka scientific method → focuses on verifying theories. belives in an objective truth, but it’s probably unattainable

• hallmark: empirical observation and measurement

• deterministic → causes determine effects

• reductionistic → reduces ideas into discrete variables

• typically used in quant research

what are the four philosophical worldviews: constructivism

individuals develop subjective meanings of their realities. there are multiple truths

• aims to understand participant reaility→ typically used in qual research

• realities arise from social and historical interacts

• aim to develop theories

what are the four philosophical worldviews: transformative

research entwined with politics → changed oriented

• power and justice oriented

• collaborative → participants help in the research

what are the four philosophical worldviews: pragmatism

focuses on solutions to problems → whats the most practical solution for the real world?

• studies consequences of actions

• problem-centered → research aims to fix things

• pluralistic → many methods used (typically mixed methods)

what are the 4 main parts of wallaces wheel of science (clockwise)

• theory

• hypotheses

• observation

• empirical generalizations

wallaces wheel: deductive research

• describes most quanititaive research

• top down: start with the theory → hypothesis → observation → generalizations

wallaces wheel: inductive research

• describes most qualitative research

• bottom up: start with the observations → generalizations → theory