Research Methodology 1 http://spectrum.troy.edu/drsmall/ Web Page User name: cp6691 Password: stats 2 Pieces of the Puzzle Chapter 2 Literature Review Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Methodology No Data Collection No Conclusion 3 1
Selecting a Topic Things to consider when selecting a topic: Design is experimental One treatment and one control group. Find a research article that is similar to what you are doing. 4 Selecting a Topic Next - Develop a research question. After you have identified an topic area (e.g., dental phobia, child sexual abuse, depression, AIDS prevention). You next have to frame some sort of researchable question within that area. 5 Selecting a Topic The simplest and most logical place to come up with researchable questions is from recent literature in an area. Most journal articles end with suggestions for further research. 6 2
Basic Steps in the Planning and Conduct of Research 1. Identify the problem. 2. Survey the literature. 3. Define the actual problem for investigation in clear, specific terms. 4. Formulate testable hypotheses and define the basic concepts and variables. 5. State the underlying assumptions which govern the interpretation of results. 7 Basic Steps in the Planning and Conducting Research 6. Construct the research design to maximize internal and external validity. Selection of subjects Control and/or manipulation of relevant variables. Establishment of criteria to evaluate outcomes. Instrumentation-selection or development of the criterion measures. 8 Basic Steps in the Planning and Conduct of Research 7. Specify the data collection procedure. 8. Select the data analysis methodology. 9. Execute the research plan. 10. Evaluate the results and draw conclusions. 9 3
Common Errors (Made By Graduate Students) 1. Puts off selection of problem until all or most of course work has been finished. 2. Uncritically accepts the first research idea that is thought of or suggested. 3. Selects a problem that is too vast or too vague to investigate. 4. Prepares fuzzy or untestable hypotheses. 5. Fails to consider methods or analysis procedures in developing a tentative research plan. 10 Research Methodology Proposal 11 Proposals Proposals - -What is it -What s its purpose -Tense (Future) This study will Once a proposal is accepted the process is set in stone. 12 4
The research proposal starts out as a general topic area These could be topics such as: The effectiveness of certain therapy methods on patient improvement. The effect of divorce on children. The effect of TV on children s aggressiveness. How to predict student success in a vocational program. How to prevent teenage pregnancy. 13 The research proposal starts out as a general topic area From this general topic the researcher focuses in on a more specific research question. For example, the researcher may ask: Is behavioral therapy more effective in treating sex offenders than insight oriented therapy? Do girls with eating disorders have lower self-esteem than girls without eating disorders? 14 When in the Journals 1. What type of research and why? 2. What variables have been studied? (gender, IQ etc.) 3. In what settings have they been conducted? (school, MH agency, etc.) 4. What samples / populations were used and why? 15 5
When in the Journals 5. What measuring instruments were used? 6. Experimental studies (nature, length of treatment? why?) 7. Quality of study? (sample size, control, rational Dep. Var.) 8. What patterns seem to emerge in the results? (similar, dissimilar, subjects, settings) 16 When in the Journals 9. What suggestions for further research? (they / you have) 10. What ideas for further research do they have from review of literature? 11. History of problem? 12. Statistics used? 13. Conclusions? (basic premise) 17 Sampling Population Is a complete set of participants or observations from which the researcher draws (sample) measurements. Target Population A portion of a population that is accessible to the researcher. Sample Is the set of participants or observations that a researcher draws from a larger population. Randomization Is a process of selecting subjects where each member of the population has an equal likelihood of being selected. 18 6
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