Chapter 4

Research Design

Chapter Outline

Three Purposes of Research The Logic of Nomothetic Explanation Necessary and Sufficient Causes Units of Analysis The Time Dimension How to Design a Research Project The Research Proposal

Three Purposes of Research

Exploration Description Explanation

Purpose of Exploratory Studies

Satisfy the researcher’s curiosity and desire for better understanding.

Test the feasibility of undertaking a more extensive study.

Develop the methods to be employed in any subsequent study.

Criteria for Nomothetic Causality

A statistical correlation between the two variables.

The cause takes place before the effect. There is no third variable that can explain away

the observed correlation as spurious.

False Criteria for Nomothetic Causality

While research can determine some causes, it cannot determine complete causation.

Exceptions do not disprove a causal relationship.

Causal relationships can be true even if they don’t apply in a majority of cases.

Necessary and Sufficient Causes

Necessary cause represents a condition that must be present for the effect to follow.

Sufficient cause represents a condition that if present, guarantees the effect in question.

Causes that are necessary and sufficient are the most satisfying outcome in research.

Units of Analysis

What or whom to study: Individuals Groups Organizations Social artifacts

Units of Analysis and Faulty Reasoning

Ecological fallacy – assuming something learned about an ecological unit says something about the individuals in the unit.

Reductionism – reducing something to a simple explanation when in reality it is complex.

How to Design a Research Project

Define the purpose of your project. Specify exact meanings for the concepts you

want to study (conceptualize). Choose a research method. Decide how to measure the results.

How to Design a Research Project

Decide whom or what to study. Collect empirical data. Process the data. Analyze the data. Report your findings.

Elements of a Research Proposal

Problem or objective Literature review Subjects for study Measurement

Elements of a Research Proposal

Data-collection methods Analysis Schedule Budget