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Gordon Chap. 5 Hypotheses. Predictions “Models”---maybe a conceptual flow chart Strong inference experiments. Gordon Chap. 5: Hypotheses. “It is my hypothesis that…” Hypotheses Force you to: Think in terms of predictions Think of ways to disprove a claim (e.g., the null hypothesis)
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Gordon Chap. 5Hypotheses Predictions “Models”---maybe a conceptual flow chart Strong inference experiments
Gordon Chap. 5: Hypotheses “It is my hypothesis that…” Hypotheses Force you to: Think in terms of predictions Think of ways to disprove a claim (e.g., the null hypothesis) Makes your goals explicit Guides reviewers to core effort
Models: “structured abstractions” Quantitative models Analog models • Organize complexity • Point to questions/problems/hypotheses • Organize data and results • Present results
Experiments • Don’t think just in terms of “laboratory experiments” • Lab vs field • Quant vs. qualitative • Model experiments
“Finding Experiments” • Natural or “Found” Experiments • Weaker “control” • “natural trajectory” experiment • “natural snapshot” experiments
Booth: Chap. 5 From Problems to Sources • Need something of a plan for sources • Primary • Secondary • Tertiary • Reliability screen • Experts as sources • Bibliographical trails
What you find Avoid concluding early: • Ouy! “Nothing new to say, there goes my project!” • Question the results (answer may be “they’re pretty good!”) • Do it differently • Do it better
Chap. 6: Using Sources Read for a Problem • Stating / Clarifying the problem (look for weaknesses, chance to re-state, or challenge) Read for an Argument • Use “model” arguments from similar research---BORROW THE LOGIC! (that’s not plagiarism) Read for Evidence • Careful, complete citation • Collect “data” from your sources; • critically assess;
Re-cap • Types of research papers (review, assessment, analysis, hypothesis testing) • Modes of research: lit review, “desk top”, secondary data, primary data. • Mechanics: emulation; data; analytical approaches and tools; illustration; treatment of sources; chose and apply publishing guidelines, format and style (later); keep oral presentation in mind
Choosing a topic, preparing a proposal • Formulate a question and an argument • Start writing a short proposal • Quick literature scan; feasibility assessment • Get advice
Why Prepare a Proposal? • Forces you to commit • Required in many cases: honors thesis, grad school, books, grants • Evokes review and feedback • MOST of the elements in proposal should be in the paper! (except schedule, budget)
Research Paper Proposal • Title: test drive the paper’s title • Problem statement (1 para) • Brief lit review (may be more to show roots of the problem, test feasibility) (2-3 para) • Conceptual diagram (?; might help) • Approach/Methods (2-3 para) • Expected findings, results, and implications (maybe with alternative hypotheses) (2-3 para) • References • Schedule, budget • MOST of the elements in proposal should be in the paper! (except schedule, budget)