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8/17/2019 Topic 2 Types of Research and Introduction to Action Research Design_KCK_editlaw

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2.1 Synopsis

This course offers an introduction to action research design, which consists of quantitative

researches such as experimental research, quasi-experimental research, surveys, correlation

studies, while qualitative researches include ethnographic studies, case studies and

background studies.

2.2 Learning Outcomes

a. To explain the concept of basic research, applied research, action and evaluation

b. To review the various types of quantitative and qualitative research design

2.3 Concept Model

2.4 Types of Research

2.4. !asic "esearch

!asic research is also known as pure research. This research could improve understanding of

the basic principles of the new knowledge, regardless of its long term benefits. #t is conducted

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TOPIC 2TYPES OF RESEARCH AND INTRODUCTION TO ACTION

RESEARCH DESIGN

Types of Research

$ualitative "esearch

ntroduction to !ction

Research "esign

!asic "esearch

$uantitative "esearch %pplied "esearch

%ction "esearch

"esearch &valuation


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when there is a curiosity about an issue. #n basic research, theory is applied as a basis to

generate concepts that can be used in solving problems in education.

2.4.2 %pplied "esearch

%pplied research is done by a community of researchers through accessing a set of theories,

knowledge, methods and techniques, with the aim of reviewing its effectiveness in solving

practical problems. %pplied research provides a re-creation of a theory. 'or example, the study

of adaptation of various learning styles in the teaching of moral education.

2.4.( %ction "esearch

%ction research is a reflective process that combines action and research to solve a problem

about specific questions, issues or phenomena. #t is carried out progressively by individuals or

groups of researchers with the assistance of a professional researcher.

2.4.4 "esearch &valuation

"esearch evaluation is conducted to measure the effectiveness or performance of a pro)ect,

programme, campaign or concept. #t is performed to determine the pro)ect or programme in

accordance with the steps and set ob)ectives.

!cti#ity 1 $ "iscussion

* #dentify the types of research and briefly discuss one of them.

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2.% ntroduction to "ifferent Types of Research "esign

This section aims to give exposure to the types of research design that can be carried out to

allow researchers to answer research questions. There are different types of research design.

2.+. $uantitative "esearch

$uantitative research is ob)ective and formal and uses statistical methods. $uantitative

research is characterised by the use of large samples, standard measurements, deductive

approach and a structured interview to collect data for testing hypotheses arlow, (/.

2.+.. The experimental study

The experimental study is an experimental design study that is used to gather information,

either with or without full control over the variables. #t is characterised by its direct manipulation

or control of the variable the cause/ so that the effects can be seen on other variables

consequences/ of this causal relationship which is important from the perspective of problem

solving. #ts importance is described by 0an 1alen (/. %s a rule of thumb, a causal

relationship must be submitted to allow science to achieve the goal of explaining, predicting and

controlling behaviour, incidents and events or otherwise.

a. &xperimental ethod

&xperimental method is about using and adapting the methods of scientific research. This

method is the most accurate but rather complicated to be executed. 3ome of the features of this

method include

i. 5sing the notion that if there are two identical situations in which only one is given a

treatment, then the difference is obtained if any/ due to the treatment given. Thus, the

experimental method involves controlling all factors except the variable that needs to be studied.

ii. This method is suitable to be used in the classroom where some conditions can be

controlled.

iii. %s the sub)ect in the experiment is human, therefore, not all the characteristics can be

controlled. The characteristics such as interest, mental and emotional abilities are difficult todetermine, thus the result of the experiment in educational research is not as accurate as a

scientific experiment.

iv. #n classrooms, the researchers have to control factors such as age, achievement,

intelligence, ability to read, social status, race, and so forth. These factors will modify the

characteristics of the sub)ects in the group and the experimental group.

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b. 3teps in "esearch

i. 6lan the experiment

a/ "eview the reason for carrying out the experiment and state the problem to be studied

b/ "ead the literature and the findings of previous studies concerning the problem to be studied

c/ 1etermine the factors involved in the experiment

d/ 1etermine the experimental method to be used

e/ 6lan the place, time, and instrument to carry out the experiment

f/ 7arry out an initial trial

g/ 3elect sub)ects required

ii. 7onduct the experiment

a/ 7ontrol factors that are not included in the experiment

b/ "ecord the steps taken

c/ "ecord the results

d/ 7lassify, analyse and interpret the experimental results

e/ ake a decision

iii. 8riting the report

c. Types of &xperiments

9ne method that is commonly used to classify the types of experiments are in accordance with

the accumulation of sub)ects. There are three types of experiments that can be performed

based on the accumulation of the sub)ects.

* 9ne :roup &xperiment

#n this type of experiment, the treatment effect to be studied is given to one group of sub)ects

through which the result is determined. 3teps to carry out the one group experiment are

a/ %dminister a pre-test b/ 7ontrol all factors except treatment independent variables/

c/ #mplement treatment for a specific period

d/ %dminister a post-test to determine the effect of treatment on the independent variables

e/ 1iscuss the impact of other factors on the dependent variable

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The one group experiment is illustrated below

% ; The sub)ect

" ; pre-test results

"2 ; post-test results

< ; Treatment

" - "2 ; "esults of treatment

3imilarly, if we use other factors


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!riefly, the steps for carrying out parallel experiment group are as follows

% ; 7ontrol group

! ; &xperimental group

< " ? " ; Treatment outcome <

" ; 6ost test ? 6re test 7ontrol group/

"; 6ost test ? 6re test &xperimental :roup/

8hen more than two parallel groups are used and more than one treatment


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two or three groups/

* &'perimental (roup Rotation

This method uses experimental and control factors on a rotational basis.

@et < be the experiment factor, and A, the control factor. The following figure illustrates how to

conduct a group rotation experiment.

"ound # % < "

! A "

"ound ## % A "2

! < "(

" B "( ; Treatment outcome <

" B "2 ; Treatment outcome A

" B "(/ ? "# B "2/ ; difference of treatment < with A

This method is able to reduce problems arising from differences in time of implementation and

from groups which are not equivalent.

2.4..2 $uasi-experimental study

8hat is a quasi-experimental studyC This study is commonly used to evaluate the effectiveness

of a programme when the respondent cannot be randomly assigned. Two groups are selected

with the following criteriaD not balanced and dissimilar in their characteristics.

The quasi-experimental design is used to replace the pure experimental design when in the

process of selecting respondents, a random distribution cannot be carried out by the

researchers 7hua, 2EEF/. This study is conducted on individuals who are vulnerable to external

variables such as gender, age, background, past experiences, existing knowledge, environment

and so forth. %ll of these factors can affect the results of the experiment.

#n other words, researchers are uncertain whether a change in the treatment group respondents

at the end of the experiment was due to the treatment given to them or the external factors. This

study is commonly used by researchers in psychology, sociology and education Geuman,

2EEE/. 'or example, a researcher has conducted a study on the effectiveness of counseling

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programmes for students with discipline problems in a school. This study uses the method of

selecting specific respondents for its purposive sampling.

This sampling uses behavioural characteristics of discipline problems. The treatment group

comprises students with discipline problems while the control group is a group of students

without discipline problems. 1ifferences between the two groups with regards to gender, race,

age, #$ level, education level, their attitudes and beliefs can be identified. %s such, this study

cannot be conducted as a pure experimental study but researchers may choose to conduct a

quasi-experimental study instead.

$uasi-experimental study uses accidental or convenience sampling and purposive sampling. #n

convenience sampling, the researchers select any respondents whom they either met

accidentally or the most convenient to them. This kind of accidental sampling can cause

unexpected errors due to their accidental involvement rather than through random sampling

7hua, 2EEF/.

6urposive sampling in this study is used to get the group of respondents who have certain

characteristics required by the researchers. 'or example, students with discipline problems.

This sample is not a random sample. There are many different designs of quasi-experimental

studies, but only three designs are well defined and commonly used among researchers in the

field of education. %ccording to 7hua 2EEF/, three quasi-experimental studies design that are

commonly used are

* non-equivalent groups pre-post test design

* regression-discontinuity design

* time series design

The non-equivalent pre-post test groups is the most popular design used in evaluating the

effectiveness of education. This design has two groups of respondents, the treatment and thecontrol groups. !oth groups have rather similar characteristics.

#n this study design, test and %G90% analysis are used to determine the difference between the

two groups of respondents. Gon-connected regression design is commonly used in studies

which involve special groups such as evaluating the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes

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and testing the effectiveness of counselling programmes on the attitudes of students with

discipline problems.

Tests using regression analysis

Time series design is a long-term study that requires a lot of time and energy. This design does

not have a control group. "esearchers were unable to compare whether a given treatment will

or will not produce the desired change ohd. a)id, 2EEE/.

6ost-test will be repeated throughout the treatment. 'or example, a study assessing the

development of H!3" studentsI academic achievement.

2.4..( 3urvey

3urvey is the process of observing human behaviour while doing routine activities in their

natural environment in a particular context. The main instrument used is video recording.

"esearchers can collect as much information recorded depending on the researchersI needs.

3everal researchers will work systematically to analyse and interpret the data collected.

2.4..4. 7orrelational study

7orrelational study involves determining the relationship between different variables that exist

in one phenomenon. "esearchers will look at different aspects that have been in existence and

determine the relationship between two quantitative variables and how these variables relate to

each other.

There are two types of correlation - positive and negative correlation. #n a positive correlation

context, if the value of one variable increases then the second variable also increases. #n a

negative correlation, if the value of one variable increases then the second variable decreases,

and if the value of one variable decreases the value of the second variable increases.

2.+.2 $ualitative "esearch$ualitative research is a comprehensive study on a particular situation and individual. 1ata are

collected via observations, interviews, writing a diary and document analysis. $ualitative

research is a study to answer the why and how questions. "esearchers will be directly involved

in the research. $ualitative research approach includes case study, ethnography and grounded

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%round the +Es, ethnographic study was still new and according to >ammersly K/, in the

FEs, studies using anthropological and sociological approach have reduced in numbers but

studies using ethnographic approach grew. %lthough its use was still limited, it continued to grow

in the KEs. #n the early KEs, ethnographers identified and focussed only on group culture,

administered monitoring, data analysis and writing reports on studies carried out 7reswell,

2EE+/.

%n ethnographic study describes and analyses something or part of the culture and the

community to identify and describe the beliefs and practices of the respondents. &thnographic

studies also need to examine two groups of respondents and where they interact

simultaneously. Topics in ethnographic research is not specifically stated in the beginning of the

study. 3tudies are usually conducted on a small scale with a limited number of respondents and

in the context of a small study. &thnographic researchers must conduct research in the natural

environment of the respondents during a specific time period when collecting data. 3anders

2EE4/, states that ethnography should show a true representation of the groupIs culture that is

being studied.

3ocial researchers use ethnographic methods to further understand the cultural and social

relationship through accurate and practical interpretation. &ffectiveness of ethnographic studies

is not dependent on the researcherMs perspective, but to actual findings of the data.

&thnography was originally used in the anthropological discipline by spending time with the

locals to make observations on their life and practices. 5sually, traditional ethnographic studies

are done individually and are time consuming which can take from several months to years to

complete. &thnographic application research method takes the user to view the design and

development of new products and services to enhance production. &thnographic application by

a small group is usually carried out in a very short time, such as in a few days to several

months. arican 2EE+/.

2.+.2.2 7ase 3tudy7ase study is a study that includes research in descriptive methods. #ntensive and detailed

study by researchers is carried out on a small social unit such as an individual, a family, a class,

an institution, that is a branch of the #nstitute of Teacher &ducation or a society. 'or example,

studies on the reaction of lecturers and students of the class of electronic learning e-learning/.

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% detailed case study also is carried out on a programme, an event, an activity, and one group

at a time.

2.+.2.( :lobal >istory

>istorical study is obtained by researchers through information, data, and knowledge by

examining issues or events that have occurred. Through data analysis and detailed historical

information, researchers can determine to a certain extent the cause-effect relationships.

"esearchers can also help teachers to manage and use the findings from research in order to

avoid making the same mistakes repeatedly.

!cti#ity 2 $ "iscussion

8hat is the most appropriate research design to be used in order to compare two methods of

teaching grammarC

OLL )uestion

7reate a table to show the steps of conducting a research.

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