Research Design Research Ideas

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Research Design / Research Ideas
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Definition of concepts

• Hypothesis A tentative statement, subject to
  empirical test, about the expected relationship
  between variables.
• Independent variable The variable that is
  manipulated in an experiment. The independent
  variable is believed to have an impact on the
  dependent variable. (multiple levels)
• Dependent variable The variable measured in a
  study.

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Correlational research

• Positive same direction
• Negative opposite direction
• The positive or negative relationship between two
  variables is called a correlation (poistive or
  negative).
• Correlation is represented by the coefficient r
• Conveys magnitude (value of r) and direction (-
  or ) Ex correlation between hours of sleep and
  energy level is r.60 (0 lt r lt 1)
• Correlations do not imply a causal relationship

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Experimental Research Design

• Experimental design Research in which
  independent variables are manipulated and
  behavior is measured while all other variables
  (extraneous variables) are controlled for.
• Random sampling Drawing from the population in a
  way that ensures equal opportunity for every
  member to be included in one or more conditions
  of the experiment.

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Experimental Research Design (cont).

• Control Group A group of subjects in an
  experiment that does not receive the experimental
  treatment. The data from the control group are
  used as a baseline against which data from the
  experimental group are compared.

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Reliability

• Reliability The extent to which similar results
  can be reproduced repeatedly in identical
  circumstances.

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Validity

• Internal Validity
• Does the Design lend itself to testing the
  hypotheses?
• External Validity
• Are the results only applicable in the controlled
  seting or can they be generalized to the real
  world?
• One compromises the other.

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Demonstration

• How does a demonstration differ from a true
  experiment?

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Other issues

• Confounding variables
• The value of a simulation
• Mundande vs. Experimental reality
• Laboratory research vs. field research
• Advantages and disadvantages

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Developing Research Ideas

• Systematic vs. Unsystematic observations
• Asking answerable and important research
  questions
• Primary vs. Secondary Sources
• Nonrefereed vs. Refereed Journal articles

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Reading a research report

• Importance of reading a research report
  critically
• Rules for reading a research report critically
• APAstyle research report
• Introduction
• Methods (Subjects, Materials, Procedure)
• Results
• Discussion

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Searching the Literature

• Identify Variables two or more variables whose
  relationships you are interested in exploring.
• Use appropriate key words.
• Class demonstration