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Chapter 2

Chapter 2. Understanding the Research Process. Identify question. Narrow to specific problem. Review literature. State hypotheses. Identify sample. Develop approach. Design data collection plan. Select collection procedures. Implement plan. Prepare report.

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Chapter 2

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  1. Chapter 2 Understanding the Research Process

  2. Identify question Narrow to specific problem Review literature State hypotheses Identify sample Develop approach Design data collection plan Select collection procedures Implement plan Prepare report Steps in the Research Process Choose analysis

  3. Types of Research Questions • Descriptive • Interview subjects, observe behavior, or measure performance • Difference • Compare 2 groups • Relationship • Assess covariation between two variables

  4. Selecting the Problem - Tips • While reading, attending lectures, write down ideas immediately. • Research a subject for a paper. • What questions seem unresolved? • Challenge commonly accepted beliefs. • Look at master’s & doctoral studies. • Discuss ideas, topics with professors or other researchers.

  5. Defining the Problem • Literature search • conceptual literature • related research • Consider your interest in the problem • Consider the “importance” of the problem • Consider whether researching the problem is a feasible task

  6. Statement of problem • problem statement: declarative statement indicting question addressed in research project • Example: The focus of the study was to determine whether particular variations within the CHRNA4 gene are associated with smoking behaviors.

  7. Delimitations • Description of subjects • Description of variables • Description of tests, instruments, procedures • Description of special equipment • Type of training • Time and duration of study • Analytical procedures

  8. Limitations • Approach, design, method, techniques • Sampling problems • Uncontrolled variables • Errors in test administration or data handling • Generalizability of data • Representativeness of subjects • Compromises to internal and external validity • Reliability and validity of research instruments

  9. Assumptions • Usually drawn from literature or previous experiments • Example: We assume the same genes are important in different populations for mediating smoking behavior. We assume the genes contribute enough of an effect to the behavior to be able to be observed.

  10. Variable • Characteristic, trait, or attribute of a person or thing that can be classified or measured

  11. Qualitative vs. Quantitative • Qualitative variables • Quantitative variables • Measured in a numerical sense • Discrete: • Continuous:

  12. Independent vs. Dependent • Independent variables • Experimental treatment • Variable that is manipulated or selected • Doesn’t change during research protocol • Active: manipulated or selected • Attribute: pre-existing (cannot be manipulated) • Dependent variables • Expected to change as result of independent variable • Observed & measured during research protocol • Not under control of researcher

  13. Extraneous variables • Other factors that may influence the dependent variable • Aka: intervening variables, modifying variables, confounding variables • Source of unwanted or error variance • Examples?

  14. Control of Variables • Random selection of subjects • Equating by matching or some criterion • Excluding the variable

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