W riting C hapter 3: Q uantitative R esearch D esigns

1. Writing Chapter 3:Quantitative Research Designs

2. Chapter 3 should • describe whatwill be done to answer the research question(s), • describe how it will be done and justify the research design, and • explain howthe resultswill be analyzed.

3. Methodology Chapter Scientific writing is direct and orderly. Therefore, the methodology chapter should • describe the materials used in the study, • explain how the materials are prepared for the study, • describe the research protocol, • explain how measurements are made and whatcalculations are performed, and • state which statistical tests are done to analyze the data.

4. Methodology Chapter (Cont.) It must be written with enough information so that • the study could be repeated by others to evaluate whether the results are reproducible • the audience can judge whether the results and conclusions are valid.

5. Participants • Describe, in detail, the process to follow forselecting the research participants (the sampling method). • Judging the external validity of a study involving human participants (i.e., to whom the study results may be applied) requires that descriptive data be provided regarding the basic demographic profile of the sample population, including • age, • gender, and • Possibly, the racial composition of the sample.

6. Measurements/Instrumentations The next step in the methodology chapter is to • describe what variables will be measured and • howthose measurementswill be made.

7. Measurements/Instrumentations (Cont.) • How long will it take to administer the instrument? • Are the directions clear? • How easy is it to score the instrument? • Do equivalent forms of the instrument exist? • Have any problems been reported by others who used it? • If applicable, how was the instrument normed? • Provide information on the instrument’s validity and reliability.

8. Research Design • The research design is the sequence of manipulations and measurement procedures that make up the study. • Its description should follow the exact sequence of how the procedures will be executed.Most important, you should provide a clearjustificationfor choosing a specific research design. • The research design should allow you to answer the research question.

9. Research Design (Cont.)

10. Procedures The methodology chapter should describe the steps to carry out the research. • Wherewill the data be collected? • Whenwill the data be collected? • How often are the data to be collected? • Whois to collect the data?

11. Data Analysis The methodology chapter should describe • the applicable summary descriptive statistics or how the data will be presented in the results section (e.g., mean vs. median), • which statistical tests will be used for the inferential data analysis, and • what p value is deemed to indicate a statistically significant difference.

12. Ethical Considerations When working with subjects, there must be a declaration that the study protocol adheres to ethical principles. • Obtain IRB approval. • Respect the rights of the participants (consent and assent forms). • Honor the requests and restrictions of the research site (institutional and site specific). • Report the research fully and honestly. Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.