Types of Research

1. Types of Research • Experimental • Quasi-Experimental • Descriptive Correlational • Descriptive

2. ExperimentalResearch • Establishes a cause and effect relationship. • Allows generalization to a similar population. • Employs an experimental group versus control group design determined by random assignment to the groups.

3. Quasi-Experimental Research • Suggests a cause and effect relationship. • Allows tentative generalization to a similar population. • Employs an experimental group versus control group design with no random assignment to the groups or a pretest versus posttest design.

4. Descriptive Correlational Research • Establishes the existence of a predictive relationship. • Uses two or more sets of data to examine the existence and strength of a relationship between them.

5. Descriptive Research • The researcher describes what exists. • The researcher does not attempt to change the sample in any way.

6. Educational Experimental or Quasi-Experimental Research Design • Determine the research problem or question. • Compare the effects of an educational treatment (called the independent variable) on one or more groups. • The independent variable or treatment is hypothesized to be the cause of any differences in the groups following treatment.

7. Examples of Independent Variable(s) in Education • Curriculum: Whole language versus traditional curriculum • Instruction: Remedial intervention versus no intervention or remedial intervention pretest and posttest scores.

8. Examples of Independent Variable(s) in Education • Grouping: Ability grouping versus no grouping or ability grouping versus cooperative grouping. • Student: Good readers versus poor readers or middle school students versus high school students.

9. Dependent Variable(s) in Education • What is measured in order to establish the effect of the treatment • Involves numbers that can be submitted to statistical analysis

10. Examples of Dependent Variables in Education • Scores on standardized tests. • Scores on researcher designed tests and/or rubrics. • Scores on published informal instruments.

11. Extraneous Variables • Any factor that can cause an effect other than the independent variable • Or— • Any factor that can prevent the effect of the independent variable

12. Establishing Group Similarity • Random assignment • Similar sex • Similar age • Similar achievement levels • Similar time constraints • Other?

13. Analyzing Group Differences • Compare group scores ( group versus group or pre versus post) on dependent measures. • Use a statistical formula to determine if scores are significantly different: t-test, ANOVA.

14. Generalize to Population • If the treatment was effective with the chosen sample, it will probably have the same effect with a similar population.

15. Descriptive Correlational Research • Will be explained in detail in a later class.

16. Descriptive Research Design • Determine the research problem or question. • Determine the sample. • Determine the units of data analysis. (In order to use statistical formulas, these must be quantified in some way).

17. Typical Ways to do Data Analysis • Survey/questionnaire • Observation • Interview • Audiotape or videotape • Text: book, student work, etc. • Unit of data analysis/categories may emerge as the study is implemented.

18. Method of Data Analysis • To divide observations into categories of behavior (units of analysis • Code and audio/videotape into categories of behavior • Determine patterns of survey response • Analyze interviews according to topics

19. Analysis of Data • May use statistical formulas if quantified. • May involve narration.

20. Action Research • Can employ an experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive correlational or descriptive design. • Will probably involve a predetermined sample. • Use of a predetermined sample limits generalizing beyond the population studied.