Chapter 3A. Selecting a Problem and Reviewing the Research Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 1

Transcription

1 Chapter 3A Selecting a Problem and Reviewing the Research 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 1

2 CHAPTER OVERVIEW Selecting a Problem Reviewing the Literature Writing the Literature Review 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 2

3 Idea Research Question Research Hypothesis Literature Review From idea to literature review, with the research hypothesis on the way. Idea Literature Review Research Question Research Hypothesis From idea and literature review to hypothesis Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 3

4 SOME PITFALLS TO AVOID!! Don t fall in love with your idea You may need to change your first idea Don t pick a trivial project Don t try to do more than is possible Try to do something (somewhat) new 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 4

5 DEFINING YOUR INTERESTS WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM? Personal experiences or first-hand knowledge Ask your professors Think about what has not yet been asked Last resorts? Perhaps you can think of a question related to one of the topics listed in the text 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 5

6 FROM IDEA TO RESEARCH QUESTION TO HYPOTHESIS You ve identified an area of interest Now formulate a research question that: Is a clearly stated expression of interest and intent, and That implies a relationship between variables 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 6

7 HYPOTHESES A QUICK REVIEW Stated in declarative form Posits a relationship between variables Reflects theory or literature Brief and to the point Testable 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 7

8 FOR EXAMPLE Research Interest or Ideas Open Classroom and Academic Success Test-Taking Skills and Grades Television and Consumer Behavior Drug Abuse and Child Abuse Adult Care Research Problem or Questions What is the effect of open versus traditional classrooms on reading level? Will students who know how to take a test improve their scores? How does watching television commercials affect the buying behavior of adolescents? Is drug abuse related to child abuse? How have many adults adjusted to the responsibility of caring for their aged parents? Research Hypothesis Children who are taught reading in open classroom settings will read at a higher grade level than children who are taught reading in a traditional setting. Students who receive training in the Here Today, Gone Tomorrow method will score higher on the SAT than students who do not receive such training. Adolescent boys buy more of the products advertised on television than do adolescent girls. There is a positive relationship between drug abuse among adults and the physical and psychological abuse they experienced as children. The number of children who are caring for their parents in the child s own home has increased over the past 10 years Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 8

9 REVIEWING THE LITERATURE Define your idea in as general terms as possible by using general sources. Search through the primary sources. Organize your notes. Write your proposal Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 9

10 USING PRIMARY SOURCES Primary sources provide reports of original research 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 10

11 WHY ARE JOURNALS THE BEST SOURCE? Articles are written in a specific, uniform format Peer review: Experts review the article and make recommendations Many submitted articles never get published 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 11

12 USING ABSTRACTS An abstract is a one- or two-paragraph summary of a journal article You can use abstracts to help decide whether a particular article will be useful 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 12

13 CRITERIA FOR JUDGING A RESEARCH STUDY Is the review of previous research complete and recent? Are the problem and purpose clearly stated? Are the research hypotheses clearly stated? Is it clear how the study was conducted? Was the sample representative of the population? Are the results and discussion relevant to the statement of problem and purpose? Are the references complete and current? Do you have any criticisms of either the content or style? 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 13

14 USING ELECTRONIC TOOLS IN YOUR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES Searching online Advantages of online searches Convenient, saves time Can be thorough It s the future 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 14

15 WRITING THE LITERATURE REVIEW Read other literature reviews take advantage of what others have done Create a unified theme tell a coherent story Organize your background materials Work from an outline it will help you stay organized Relate different areas that you are working with to each other tell a coherent story Practice practice practice! 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 15

16 Chapter 3B The Importance of Practicing Ethics in Research 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 16

17 CHAPTER OBJECTIVES STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: Summarize why it is important to practice ethical research. Describe the basic principles of ethical research. Distinguish between ethical and unethical research practices. Summarize the role of professional organizations in providing ethical guidelines Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 17

18 CHAPTER OVERVIEW Basic Principles of Ethical Research Ensuring High Ethical Standards 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 18

19 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL RESEARCH Protect from harm Maintain privacy Avoid coercion Provide for informed consent When using children as subjects, you must gain permission from parents, and you must exercise extra caution. Maintain confidentiality Debrief, especially if you have used deception Share benefits 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 19

20 ENSURING HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS Do a computer simulation if possible. If the treatment might be harmful, try to find a population that has already been naturally treated. Always secure informed consent. If possible, report summary data rather than individual results. If the treatment might have adverse side effects, begin with a small sample. Ask your colleagues to review your proposal. Receive Institutional Review Board approval to help ensure that you are meeting ethical guidelines Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 20

21 THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Guidelines Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Ethical Guidelines American Educational Research Association American Sociological Association American Medical Association 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 21

22 ETHICS REGARDING ON- LINE RESEARCH 1. Generally, you may quote if the site does not prohibit use of information 2. You should not disrupt ongoing activities of realtime sites 3. Be conscientious about obtaining consent 4. Defend the confidentiality and identity of participants in public forums 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 22

23 HAVE WE MET THE OBJECTIVES? CAN YOU: Summarize why it is important to practice ethical research? Describe the basic principles of ethical research? Distinguish between ethical and unethical research practices? Summarize the role of professional organizations in providing ethical guidelines? 2009 Pearson Prentice Hall, Salkind. 23