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URM10E-PartC.pptxUnderstanding Research Methods 10E Part C: Basic Concepts in Quantitative Research
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Basic Concepts in Quantitative Research
Part C
Topics
Decisions in Quantitative Research Design (Topic 20)
Variables in Nonexperimental Studies (Topic 21)
Variables in Experimental Studies (Topic 22)
Operational Definitions of Variables (Topic 23)
Hypotheses (Topic 24)
Research Purposes, & Questions (Topic 24)
Topic 20: Decisions in Quantitative Research Design
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How do design a quantitative research question
In quantitative research, designs focus on collecting data that will be represented numerically.
Topic 20: Decisions in Quantitative Research Design
Quantitative research questions include
Attributes or variables that will be studied
What the researcher wants to know
Information on target population
How will the data be analyzed to address the question
Topic 20: Decisions in Quantitative Research Design
GOOD quantitative research questions
Anchor concepts to relevant and concrete measurable elements
Pass the “so what” test
clearly articulate the relationship between the variables
Topic 20: Decisions in Quantitative Research Design
Quantitative Research Designs
Experimental
Nonexperimental
Researchers assign participants randomly, introduce a treatment and measure its effects
Researchers do not introduce a treatment; they observe or ask questions in surveys, polls, or interviews
Topic 20: Decisions in Quantitative Research Design
During the design phase, researcher decisions include:
Design Phase Decisions
Unit of analysis who or what constitutes one “unit:” a person, a school, a family?
Target population the population to which the researcher wants to generalize results; the group that will be sampled.
Topic 20: Decisions in Quantitative Research Design
Narrowing to a Researchable Question
What concepts will be used?
How will they be measured?
How will they be operationalized?
Relevance: why should I care about the answer?
Topic 21:Variables in Nonexperimental Studies
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What is a variable?
A variable is a trait or characteristic that can vary. This means there are at least two options for its value.
Topic 21:Variables in Nonexperimental Studies
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Categorical variables
Continuous variables
Nominal variables
Ordinal variables
Interval variables
Ratio variables
Topic 21:Variables in Nonexperimental Studies
Independent variables (IVs)
Causal variable
Dependent variables (DVs)
“Depends” on causal variables
Value is influenced by IV
Variable that comes first in time
Also may be called “predictor”
Also may be called “criterion”
independent variable
Exerts influence that affects
Dependent variable
Topic 22: Variables in Experimental Studies
All experiments have at least 1 independent variable and 1 dependent variable.
Example 1
On alternate weeks, a disruptive first-grade student is given extra praise for being in her seat when appropriate. The purpose of the study is to see if the extra praise will increase the amount of appropriate in-seat behavior.
Can you identify the IV and the DV in the example?
Topic 23: Operational Definitions of Variables
Conceptual definitions of variables
A dictionary definition, providing a conceptual description of the term.
Operational definitions of variables
A definition that describes components of a variable that are translated to concrete or physical characteristics that can be measured.
Ideally, the operationalizing a variable is successfully in capturing concrete aspects relevant to the concept that can be replicated. Replication is important for research!
Topic 23: Operational Definitions of Variables
Try operationalizing a variable
How could you measure “confidence” before taking an exam?
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Concept: “cheerful”
Concrete
Indications of the presence of concept:
“smiling”
Topic 24: Research Hypotheses
Research Hypotheses
Predicts the outcome of a study
Directional and nondirectional hypotheses
Example: Freshman girls will have better grade outcomes than freshman boys.
Null hypothesis
Directional predicts the direction of the outcome.
Nondirectional simply suggests a change but not the direction of the change.
Which type is the example above?
No relationship exists between 2 or more variables
Default position that researcher tries to disprove
Topic 24: Research Purpose & Questions
OTHER FORMULATIONS OF RESEARCH
1. Research Purpose instead of a nondirectional hypothesis, the researcher may simply state the purpose of the research.
EXAMPLE: The research purpose is to explore differences in attitudes about school between rural and urban high school students.
2. Research Question instead of a nondirectional hypothesis, the researcher may pose the goal of the research as a question.
EXAMPLE: The research question is: Do attitudes about school differ between rural and urban high school students?
Topic 24: Research Hypotheses
Create your own research hypotheses
If you wanted to study the differences in social adjustment between children with alcoholic parents and those who don’t have alcoholic parents, how could you state this using each of the research formulations?
| Directional hypothesis | Nondirectional hypothesis | Null hypothesis | Research question | Research purpose |
Basic Concepts in Quantitative Research
Part C Summary
Literature reviews provide a summary of findings and themes on the current topic under study.
A good lit review should show knowledge of the topic and frame the importance of the current research
Databases matter for finding literature. Techniques and technical knowledge can improve search results.
Be critical of the literature you find. Scrutinize the methods, sampling, measures, and their validity. Give better studies more space in your review. Organize key elements of studies in your review on a spreadsheet.
Citation is the acknowledgment of other scholars’ work. It is a part of the academic conversation.
The lit review is interrelated to the development of the research plan. Each may inform the other.
Style guides explain how to cite and style elements of writing. Reference managers can reduce time spent formatting and also organize reading notes well in a searchable format.
Structure the lit review using key statistics and important definitions of the main terms.
