Research Design Research Design and Methodsand Methods

Introduction: the Essence of Introduction: the Essence of ResearchResearch

Goals of the CourseGoals of the Course

To equip you with the knowledge to To equip you with the knowledge to formulate and pursue a research program.formulate and pursue a research program. Learn the basic elements of research design.Learn the basic elements of research design. Learn how to find and read scientific literature.Learn how to find and read scientific literature. Learn how to derive meaning from data.Learn how to derive meaning from data. Learn how to write a research proposal.Learn how to write a research proposal. Learn how to present your research.Learn how to present your research.

What We’re NOT Going to What We’re NOT Going to Learn in this CourseLearn in this Course

Specific experimental techniques and Specific experimental techniques and methods.methods.

A full treatment of statistical methods of A full treatment of statistical methods of analysis.analysis.

Explicit reviews of the history or Explicit reviews of the history or philosophy of science.philosophy of science.

Question: What is Research?Question: What is Research?

Some possibilities:Some possibilities: Going to the library and reading books, Going to the library and reading books,

encyclopedias, and magazine articles.encyclopedias, and magazine articles. Searching the internet for the best sports Searching the internet for the best sports

sedan under $40,000.sedan under $40,000. Doing experiments in a college lab course.Doing experiments in a college lab course.

A key element: data acquisition and A key element: data acquisition and interpretation.interpretation. Deriving meaning from collected data.Deriving meaning from collected data.

What Research IsWhat Research Is

Research starts with a question/problem.Research starts with a question/problem. Research requires a clear articulation of a Research requires a clear articulation of a

goal.goal. Research follows a particular plan of Research follows a particular plan of

procedure.procedure. Well-conceived attack v. fishing expedition.Well-conceived attack v. fishing expedition. Reaching the goal requires strategy.Reaching the goal requires strategy.

What Research Is (cont.)What Research Is (cont.)

The principal problem is usually divided The principal problem is usually divided into smaller sub-problems.into smaller sub-problems.

Research is guided by a specific problem, Research is guided by a specific problem, question, or hypothesis.question, or hypothesis. The importance of the “educated guess”.The importance of the “educated guess”. Unsupported hypotheses are replaced by new Unsupported hypotheses are replaced by new

hypotheses.hypotheses. Multiple supported hypotheses yield theories.Multiple supported hypotheses yield theories. Hypotheses and theories are tentative.Hypotheses and theories are tentative.

What Research Is (cont.)What Research Is (cont.)

Research accepts certain critical Research accepts certain critical assumptions.assumptions. Assumptions = axioms…self-evident truths.Assumptions = axioms…self-evident truths.

Research requires interpretation of data.Research requires interpretation of data. Data interpretation: objective or subjective?Data interpretation: objective or subjective?

Research is helical in nature.Research is helical in nature. One research project provides new questions, One research project provides new questions,

new problems for future research.new problems for future research. Enjoy the process!Enjoy the process!

Methodology is CrucialMethodology is Crucial

Methods dictate how the research Methods dictate how the research question is addressed.question is addressed.

Methods define the nature of the data Methods define the nature of the data acquired.acquired.

Methods define the scope of data analysis Methods define the scope of data analysis and interpretation.and interpretation.

Research Design: the Research Design: the Research PaperResearch Paper

Key element: reporting new knowledge.Key element: reporting new knowledge. Consummation of the research process.Consummation of the research process.

““Pay-off” for the investigator.Pay-off” for the investigator. The final and necessary stage of research.The final and necessary stage of research.

The paper is a condensed version of the The paper is a condensed version of the research process.research process. Introduction, Methods, Results, DiscussionIntroduction, Methods, Results, Discussion