Descriptive research proposal
Arvind Reddy
Week-9_Ch-6_DescriptiveResearchMethod1.pptxPractical Research
CHAPTER 6: DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
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Descriptive Research
Descriptive quantitative research design involve identifying the characteristics of an observed phenomenon or exploring possible associations among two or more phenomena or variables.
It does not involve changing or modifying the situation under investigation nor it does not intend to determine cause-and-effect relationships.
Descriptive research designs:
1) Observation studies, 2) Correlation research, 3) Developmental designs, 4) Survey research
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Observation
Observation in quantitative studies have a particular pre-specified focus.
Topic of research could be non-living objects in addition to living objects (black holes, weather patterns, rock formations, plants, animals, etc.).
Quantitative information can be summarized through statistical analyses.
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Observation
Some strategies to use when recording a behavior:
Clearly define the behavior
Divide the observation into smaller periods
Use a rating scale
Use independent raters
Train the raters.
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Correlation Research
Correlation studies examines the extent to which differences in one characteristic or variable are related to differences in one or more other characteristics or variable.
Knowing one value of one variable enables us to predict the value of the other variable with some degree of accuracy.
The most important thing about correlation research is that it can help us interpret the data.
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Developmental Designs
Example study includes study of characteristics changes as people grow older.
Cross-sectional study: people from several different age-groups are sampled and compared.
Longitudinal study: a single group of people is followed over the course of several months or years.
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Survey Research
Most common approach.
Involve the use of questions to gather information about people, opinion, characteristics.
The main goal of survey research to learn about a large population by surveying a sample from them.
Face-to-face interview, telephone interview, internet, and questionnaires are the methods used in survey.
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Survey Research
Surveys mainly use face-to-face interview, telephone interview, or a written (electronic) questionnaire.
Face-to-Face and phone interviews are: structured or semi-structured.
Questionnaire: can be sent to a large number of people but they have a low return rate.
Guidelines for interviews are almost the same as qualitative research.
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Interview guidelines
Identify some questions in advance
Consider your participants background
Your participants should be representative of the group you are studying
Good location
Respectful
Do not add words that you think the participant said
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Interview guidelines
Consider how you will quantify the answers.
Refine your pilot study. Some of your questions might be redundant, hard to understand, hard to answer, unclear.
Each question should reflect a single idea.
Read and analyze: 1) practical application pg 143-146,
2) practical application: planning and conducting interviews in a quantitative study pg 147-148,
3) guidelines: constructing a questionnaire on pg 148-152.
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Constructing a questionnaire
Keep it short
Keep it simple
Provide clear instructions
Use simple language
Give a rationale for your questionnaire
Use technology with your questionnaire
Read and analyze: Guidelines: Maximizing Your Return Rate for a Questionnaire pg 153-157.
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Sample Selection
Probability Sampling (Random)
Nonprobability Sampling (Convenience/Purposive)
What is the right sample size?
Read the Practical Application: Identifying a Sufficient Sample Size on pg 166-167.
Do the checklist: Analyzing Characteristics of the Population Being Studied. Pg 167-168. ( no submission is required)
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Bias in Descriptive Studies
Sampling bias
Instrumentation bias
Response bias
Researcher bias
Do the checklist: Identifying Potential Sources of Bias in a Descriptive Study on pg 171-172. With your partners.(No submission is required)
Read and analyze a sample dissertation study on pg 174-176 with your partner. Figure 1.1 is important.
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