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From Research Questions to Study Designs. Day #6, June 24 th CEP 955 Summer Hybrid 2013 Jack Smith Michigan State University. Overview. Access to Google doc? Problems?
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From Research Questions to Study Designs Day #6, June 24th CEP 955 Summer Hybrid 2013 Jack Smith Michigan State University
Overview • Access to Google doc? Problems? • Brief roundtable (for Jack): In my 955 study this weekend, I focused on…. [finish the sentence with an option of one more] • Daily goal #1: Deepen our knowledge of types of study designs • Daily goal #2: Understand different threats to validity (Campbell & Stanley’s list) • For both, will work “close to the texts” today • Our collective challenges on Day 6 • RQs may still be moving • Hard to be clear about study design • Suggestion: Think about pairings of RQs and study designs
RQ Lab • Joel’s revised RQs [max 20 minutes]
Descriptive studies • Sounds simple • SRIE discusses two primary types of descriptive research • Large randomized (national) samples & well-tested measures • Smaller, purposeful samples • Neither are likely to work for you; convenience samples • But there is much more to sampling than its type • Critical reading: Box 5.2 (page 107)
Causal studies • SRIE likes experimentation and large-scale experiments with random assignment • Hard to do with well-established theory suggesting causal relationship • According to SRIE, what is necessary to assert a causal relationship? • What does the footnote on p. 109 do to that view? • What does the footnote suggest about complex relationships between related variables
Threats to validity • Brief listing in C&S, with exemplification in numbered study types • Our discussion: Put the threat in our own words • Someone else: Give a different example of each threat • Mention of these issues in other readings?
Theory Bite(s) • Introducing Emiko’s Practicum • Amy: Etienne Wenger, communities of practice • Q&A; discussion • Introducing Laura’s Practicum • Laura: learning via self-explanation • Q&A; discussion
Homework for tomorrow • Focus: Sampling; sample & population; ethical issues (human subjects) • Sampling is crucial for all traditions of research • We all know the story about non-random assignment and limits of generalizability • That does not help you think about other issues related research samples and how to think about your results • Texts: Gall, Gall, & Borg, chapters 3 and 6 • Read chapter 6 first, carefully in sections that directly relate to your design • Turn to chapter 3, read and skim • Lots of ethical issues when you engage your teachers and students as research participants