Research Designs and Variables

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Where we are now…

Observation/ Background survey

Broad area of research

Literature review

Problem definition

Problem statement

Research questions

Theoretical framework

Variables clearly identified

Hypothesis generation

Research design

Methods

Sampling

Data collection

Analysis

Interpretation

Deduction

Hypothesis substantiated?

RQ answered?

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Lesson objectives

Recap and checklist for chapters 1 and 2

Describe types of research

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Checklist for chapter 1

Introduction/ Background Broad problem or issue that is researched Rationale for the study

Problem statement Research questions Hypotheses

Definition of key terms Limitations Significance

Theoretical Practical

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Checklist for chapter 2

Writing and Evaluating the quality of your literature review Is there an introduction to the document that

presents a definition, thesis, and organization for the chapter?

Does the order of the headings and subheadings represent the relative importance of the topics and subtopics? Is the order of headings logical? Do the major topics, as represented by the major headings, match the organization put forth in the organizing statement in the introduction?

Does each major section have an introduction and a summary?

Does the review have a conclusion?

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Checklist for chapter 2 Is the relation of the review to past and

current research clearly shown in the summary paragraphs?

What are the most relevant and important sources that bear on this topic/problem? Could the reader identify these if asked to do so after reading the review?

Are these sources presented in a way that denotes their importance? Are some cited so many times they lose power through repetition?

Does the review make sense? Is the review interesting so that the reader

wants to learn more?

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Theoretical and conceptual framework

What is the difference?Theoretical framework is based on

propositional statements resulting from an existing theory

Conceptual framework is one that the researcher develop through identifying and defining concepts and proposing relationships between these concepts

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Variables and Constructs

Variable : Anything that can take on differing values

Examples:

Variable How do we measure?

Exam scores

motivation

absenteeism

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Definition of a Variable

A Variable(A Characteristic or Attribute)

Can be

Measured

and

Varies

(Can be assessedon an instrumentand recorded onan instrument)

(Can assumedifferent values orscores for differentindividuals)

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Variables and Constructs

A Variable is an attribute or characteristic stated in a specific or applied way

A Construct is an attribute or characteristic expressed in an abstract, general way.

Construct Student Achievement

Variable Grade Point Average

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Measured and categorical variables

Measured Exists in degree Can assign number

Height Weight Interest Age Time spent on task Student motivation School engagement Sleepiness Level of anxiety

Categorical Also known as

qualitative variable Qualitatively

different Eye color Gender Religion Race Occupation Program Subject taught Political party

membership

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Types of Variables

Dependent IndependentExtraneousModerating

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Dependent Variable

Dependent Of primary interest Purpose is to predict the variability of this

variable Researcher measures this variable

Dependent Variable

Physics Test scores

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Independent Variable

Independent One that influences the

dependent variable Positive or negative

When the independent variable is present, the dependent variable is also present

Dependent VariableIndependent Variable

Test ScoresUse of simulation

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Extraneous variables

Other variables that influenceWhat will influence the relationship

between use of simulation and test scores

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Moderating Variable

Moderating One that has a strong contingent effect

on the independent variable- dependent variable relationship

Its presence will modify originally expected relationship

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Moderating Variable

Dependent VariableIndependent Variable

Physics Test scoresUse of simulation

Moderating variable

Physics Anxiety

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A good theoretical framework Variables clearly

identified Important relationships

theorized Indication of positive or

negative relationships if there are sufficient findings from previous research

Clear explanation of why the relationships are expected

Draw a schematic diagram

Independent Variable 1

Independent Variable 2

Independent Variable 3

Dependent Variable

Research paradigms

Recap

Quantitative Qualitative

Both are systematic in their approach

Objective Subjective

Deductive Inductive

Generalisable Not generalisable

Numbers Words 

 

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Basic Types of Research

CorrelationalCorrelationalExperimentalExperimental

TYPESTYPES

DescriptiveDescriptive Causal Comparative

Causal Comparative

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Types of studies : Descriptive

Descriptive the researcher attempts to document

what is actually occurring may be either qualitative (descriptions in

words) or quantitative (descriptions in numbers)Quantitative descriptive research = survey

research

The researcher has no control over the phenomena of study, but simply records what is observed or reported.

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Types of studies : Correlational

Correlational (Quantitative) the research relates the level of one variable

to a corresponding level of another variable in an attempt to discover any relationships between them

Purpose is to predict the level of one variable by knowing the level of a second variable

The researcher has only moderate, if any, control over the variables in this type of study

Most often used study in educational psychology as well as in many areas of the social and behavioral sciences

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Types of studies : Experimental

Experimental ( Quantitative) the researcher randomly assigns subjects

to at least two groups (experimental and control)

In the experimental group, the researcher manipulates the level of one (independent) variable and observes the corresponding change, if any, in the level of another (dependent) variable.

Purpose is to determine if there is a causal relationship between the two variables.

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Types of studies : Experimental

Quasi Experimental non randomly assignment of subject to at

least two groups (experimental and control)

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Types of studies : Causal comparative

Causal comparative / ex post facto Explores relationship among variables

that cannot meet the true experimental research.

Usually the independent variable cannot be manipulated / has already occurredAge, gender, smoking

At least two different groups are compared on some dependent variableMath achievement of non smoker/ smoker

EXAMPLE: The effect of having a working mother on primary school student’s absenteeism. What are the two groups?

Research Designs

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Designing a research

Check purpose of your study Exploratory? Descriptive? Hypothesis Testing?

Look at your data Numerical? Narrative?

Also ask Looking at differences? Association? Correlation?

Decide the research techniques How to collect data?

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Exploratory

Do not know about the situation at handHave very little or no info of the problemFor obtaining a good grasp on the

phenomena of interest Usually qualitative

Extensive interviews Observations Data reveals patterns of interest

Leads to descriptive/survey

ExamplesWork ethics of non Malays in UiTMLearning support needs of PKPG studentsMath students’ interest in the philosophy of science

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Descriptive study

Describing characteristics of variables or situation

Qualitative aspectsQuantitative aspects

Descriptive statistics – frequency, mean, standard deviation

EXAMPLES Profile of Malaysian adult learners Characteristics of a successful PKPG

student

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Hypothesis testing

Beyond describing – understand relationship Explain nature of certain relationship Establish differences among groups Explain independence of factors in a

situationEXAMPLES:

More male learners than female learners engage in plagiarism

Achievement in research courses is related to …….

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Ask questionsIs data numerical or narrative?

Cause – effect relationship

Past event?

Independent variable

manipulated?

Relationship?Prediction?

Historical research

Qualitative research :

ExploratoryEthnographyCase studyGrounded

TheoryExperimental

researchCausal

comparative research

Correlationalresearch

Descriptiveresearch

numerical narrative

yes

yes

yes nono

no yes no

Both numerical

And narrative

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Determine your research designIs your main data numerical or

narrative?

Cause – effect relationship

Past event?

Independent variable

manipulated?

Relationship?Prediction?

Historical research

Qualitative research :

•Descriptive

•Exploratory

•Case study

•Ethnography

Experimental research

Causal comparative

research

Correlationalresearch

Survey

numerical narrativeNumerical

and narrative equally

substantial

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Quantitative Designs and Uses

ExperimentalResearch

CorrelationalResearch

SurveyResearch

Explaining whether an intervention influences an outcome for onegroup as opposed to another group

Associating orrelating variablesin a predictablepattern for onegroup of individuals

Describing trends for the population of people

InterventionResearch Non-Intervention Research

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Qualitative Designs and Uses

EthnographicResearch

Grounded TheoryResearch

NarrativeResearch

Exploring the sharedculture of a peoplegroup

Exploring commonexperiences ofindividuals todevelop a theory

Exploring individualstories to describethe lives of people

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Combined Designs and Uses

Mixed MethodResearch

ActionResearch

Combining quantitative andqualitative data to bestunderstand and explain aresearch problem.

Using quantitative and qualitative data for individuals to study problems that they face in their setting

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Characteristics of Quantitative and Qualitative Research in the Process of Research

Steps in the Research Process

Analyze and Interpret Data

Report and Evaluate

Collecting Data

Specifying a Purpose

Reviewing the Literature

Identifying a Problem

Research Designs

Two Approaches

QuantitativeQualitative

QuantitativeQualitative

QuantitativeQualitative

QuantitativeQualitative

QuantitativeQualitative

QuantitativeQualitative

•Experimental•Correlational•Survey

•Ethnography•Grounded Theory•Narrative

•Mixed Method•Action Research

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Experimental Research Design

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Choosing Appropriate Theoretical Framework

Form research questions

Select cases

Design and pilot interview questions

Conduct interview Electronic Focus group

Email interview

Collect quantitative data on utilization of support elements by the group

Trend analysis

Content analysis

Dat

a I

nter

pre

tatio

ns

Cross subject (groups) analysis

Extraction of themes

Preliminary Stage Fieldwork and Analysis Stage Conclusion Stage

Draw Conclusions

Create threaded discussion in forum

Example: Qualitative Research Design

Action Research

Next….