CFS100 Ch.4 Walsh

WHY Research?

• Courses

• Understanding academic journals

• Consumers of research as professionals

• Research in your profession

• Graduate school

• Problem solving

• Intellectual curiosity

• Confidence

• Influence

WHAT is research?

• Empirical Research

• Basic Research

• Applied Research

Empirical Research

• Systematic observation

• Testing hypothesis

• Answer research questions

Basic Research

• Test & build theories

Applied Research

• Solve day-to-day problems in HDFS

• Connections between research & practice

WHO does the research?

• Sampling techniques: recruit participants

Quantitative

• Probability sampling (random sampling) (equal chance)

• Non-probabilistic sampling (generalized, convenient)

Qualitative

• Contextual

• Verbal

• Insight

• Ethnographies

• Program evaluation

• Action research

• Design-based research

Ethnographies

• Cultural context

• Researcher immersed in the culture

Protecting Participants in Research

• Ethical guidelines (Belmont report 1978)

• International Review Board (IRB)

• Beneficence: risks minimized; no harm

• Respect for persons: details; informed decision to participate; protect those who cannot give consent

• Justice: fair & equal treatment

HOW? Research Methods

• Quantitative Methods

• Qualitative Methods

Quantitative Methods

• numerical; statistical measures

  • Validity: accurately septics theoretical constructs

  • Reliability: measured in a consistent manner

  • Objectivity

Qualitative Methods

• Understanding unique viewpoints & contexts

• Extract meaning from participants words

• Subjective

• Trustworthiness must be examined

• Patterns, themes emerge

Quantitative Research

• Methodologies

• Quasi Experiment

Methodologies

• Experiments

  • Independent (causal) variable > dependent (outcome) variable

  • Random assignment

    • Control group vs experimental

Quasi Experiment

• Cannot assign randomly

Observational Research

• Can be quantitative or qualitative

• Observe

• Code & record behaviors

• Categories in mind prior to observation (what are you looking for?)

The quality of the data collection matters

Surveys

• Data about peoples attitudes, behaviors, thoughts, feelings

• Allows for data that is not easily observed

• Close & open ended questions

• Easy to collect data

Developmental Designs

• Cross-sectional

• Longitudinal

Cross-sectional Study

• comparing different groups at the same time

Longitudinal Study

• comparing the same groups over a period of time