05/05/23 Copyright Ed Lipinski and Mesa Community College, 2004-2008. All rights reserved. 1

Research MethodsResearch MethodsSummer 2008Summer 2008

Developing Ideas For ResearchDeveloping Ideas For Research

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AgendaAgenda

General HousekeepingGeneral Housekeeping Lesson ObjectiveLesson Objective Ed’s Overview / DiscussionEd’s Overview / Discussion Questions.Questions.

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ObjectiveObjective

““... ... to identify methods used for to identify methods used for developing research”developing research”

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Ed’s OverviewEd’s Overview

I.I. Sources of Research IdeasSources of Research Ideas II.II. Developing Research QuestionsDeveloping Research Questions III.III. Theory DefinedTheory Defined IV.IV. Types of TheoryTypes of Theory V.V. Characteristics of a Good TheoryCharacteristics of a Good Theory VI.VI. Developing TheoriesDeveloping Theories VII. Confirming Theories.VII. Confirming Theories.

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I. Sources of Research I. Sources of Research IdeasIdeas

A. Unsystematic ObservationA. Unsystematic Observation– Good Starting PointGood Starting Point

B. Systematic ObservationB. Systematic Observation– Unsystematic ObservationUnsystematic Observation– Published ResearchPublished Research– Projects on the InternetProjects on the Internet– TheoryTheory– Need.Need.

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II. Developing II. Developing Research QuestionsResearch Questions

A. Asking Answerable QuestionsA. Asking Answerable Questions B. Asking The Right QuestionsB. Asking The Right Questions

– Can It Be MeasuredCan It Be Measured– Empirical QuestionsEmpirical Questions– Operational DefinitionsOperational Definitions

C. Asking Important QuestionsC. Asking Important Questions– ClarificationClarification– Practical Applications.Practical Applications.

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III. Theory DefinedIII. Theory Defined Scientific TheoryScientific Theory Theory Versus HypothesisTheory Versus Hypothesis Theory Versus LawTheory Versus Law Theory Versus ModelTheory Versus Model Computer ModelingComputer Modeling Functional Explanations.Functional Explanations.

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IV. Types of TheoryIV. Types of Theory A. Quantitative TheoryA. Quantitative Theory B. Qualitative TheoryB. Qualitative Theory C. Level of DescriptionC. Level of Description

– Descriptive TheoriesDescriptive Theories– Analogical TheoriesAnalogical Theories– Fundamental Theories.Fundamental Theories.

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IV. Types of TheoryIV. Types of Theory D. Domain of a TheoryD. Domain of a Theory E. Roles of a TheoryE. Roles of a Theory

– UnderstandingUnderstanding– PredictionPrediction– Organizing and InterpretingOrganizing and Interpreting– Generating Research.Generating Research.

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V. Characteristics of a V. Characteristics of a Good TheoryGood Theory

A. Ability to Account for DataA. Ability to Account for Data B. Explanatory RelevanceB. Explanatory Relevance C. TestabilityC. Testability D. PredictionD. Prediction E. Parsimony.E. Parsimony.

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VI. Developing TheoriesVI. Developing Theories A. Defining The ScopeA. Defining The Scope B. Knowing The LiteratureB. Knowing The Literature C. Formulating Your TheoryC. Formulating Your Theory

– Act of CreationAct of Creation– PreparednessPreparedness– AnalogyAnalogy– IntrospectionIntrospection

D. Establishing ValidityD. Establishing Validity E. Testing Your Theory.E. Testing Your Theory.

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VII. Confirming TheoriesVII. Confirming Theories A. Confirmation of TheoriesA. Confirmation of Theories B. Disconfirmation of Theories.B. Disconfirmation of Theories.

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VII. Confirming TheoriesVII. Confirming Theories C. Strategies for Testing TheoriesC. Strategies for Testing Theories

– Strong InferenceStrong Inference– Confirmational StrategyConfirmational Strategy– Disconfirmational StrategyDisconfirmational Strategy– Using Both Together.Using Both Together.

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RecapRecap

Sources of Research IdeasSources of Research Ideas Developing Research QuestionsDeveloping Research Questions Theory DefinedTheory Defined Types of TheoryTypes of Theory Characteristics of a Good TheoryCharacteristics of a Good Theory Developing TheoriesDeveloping Theories Confirming Theories.Confirming Theories.

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Developing IdeasDeveloping IdeasQuestions