Chapter 2:The Research Process

The Research Process

• Chapter Objectives– To define the scientific process, including the

positivist and qualitative approaches to inquiry– To review issues in research design, including

sampling, research methods, and designs for studying development

– To consider the ethical guidelines for conducting research with human participants

The Research Process

• The Scientific Process– The Positivist Approach to Research

• Seeks causal relationships among factors, with the goal of predicting outcomes

– The Qualitative Inquiry Approach to Research• Seeks to understand the meanings, motives, and

believes that underlie a person’s experiences

The Research Process

Figure 2.1 The Scientific Process

The Research Process

• The Positivist Approach to Research– A scientific observation should be

• Objective• Repeatable • Systematic

The Research Process

• The Qualitative Inquiry Approach to Research– Assumes that there are many versions of

truth, depending on the informant and the context

– The world is ripe for discovery– Theory emerges from the data, rather than

guiding the methodology and data collection– Emphasis is on interpretation

The Research Process

• Research Design: Sampling– Sampling - method of choosing participants

who will be included in the study– Population - the large group to which the

findings of the research are intended to apply– Generalizability - extent to which we can say

with confidence that the observations made for this sample would apply to others groups

The Research Process

• Methods Of Sampling– Random Samples - each person in a given

population has an equal chance– Stratified Sampling - deliberately selected

from a variety of levels (strata) or subgroups within the population

– Matched Groups - 2 or more groups who are similar on many dimensions

– Volunteer Sampling - participants are chosen from among those who volunteer

– The Qualitative Approach to Sampling - learn as much as possible

The Research Process

• Research Methods– Observation: taking note of events and trying

to make sense of them– Naturalistic Observation: research in which

behavior in a setting is carefully observed without any other kinds of manipulation

– Participant Observation: researcher actively engages in interactions with other members of a setting

– Correlation• Statistical analysis of strength and direction• Correlation coefficient

The Research Process

Figure 2.2 Patterns Reflecting Positive, Negative, and Zero Correlations

The Research Process

• Case Study – An in-depth description of a single person,

family, social group, or social setting• Interviews

– Surveys and Tests– Reliable: results are consistent– Valid: when they measure what they claim to

measure

The Research Process

• Experimentation– Independent Variable - predictors– Dependent Variable - outcome– Experimental Group - receives manipulation– Control Group - receives no treatment

The Research Process

• Designs for Studying Development– Retrospective Studies - report on experiences

from past– Cross-sectional Studies - compares different

groups of individuals– Longitudinal Studies - studies individuals

overtime– Cohort Sequential Studies - compares

different groups of individuals and tracks them over time

The Research Process

Figure 2.3 The Cohort Sequential Design

The Research Process

The Research Process

• Ethics in Research on Humans • Special Ethical Guidelines - principals of conduct• Integrity of Research Lies with the Investigator• Evaluating the Risks-Versus-Benefits Ratio • Protection from Harm • The Ethical Principle of Informed Consent • Debriefing