The Nature and Kinds of Research

• Subject matter of course Class about quantitative research How is research different from other

ways of answering questions? Research is a systematic way of

answering questions about the world

The Nature and Kinds of Research

• Different research for different purposes Descriptive research

Primary purpose is to describe particular situation or event

Relatively rare Exploratory research

Investigate phenomena or situations that are not familiar

Tends to be descriptive Example of exploratory research –

experiences of individuals who care for elderly relative or friend

Information is rich and complex, but not specific or predictable

The Nature and Kinds of Research

• Different research for different purposes, con’t Theoretical research

Purpose is to test and evaluate theories by finding causal relations among variables

Example of theoretical research Applied (evaluation) research

Purpose is to tell us what to do next

Applied research: Research aimed at solving real-world problems or making practical decisions.

Evaluation research: Focuses on effectiveness of program or treatment

The Nature and Kinds of Research

• Types of Evaluative Research Summative vs. formative research

Summative research◄ Current effectiveness of

program Formative research

◄ Diagnosing areas that are weak◄ Make recommendations for

improvements Impact vs. process evaluation

Impact evaluation◄ Does something work?

Process evaluation◄ How does something work?

Cost-benefit analysis Compares total cost of program in

terms of what good its done (the benefits) and what harm its done (the costs)

The Nature and Kinds of Research

• Special difficulties of applied research Lack off control Dealing with reactions of people

involved Measurement and interpretation

problems

The Nature of Science

• What makes someone a scientist?

• The goals of science Description Prediction

Correlational research Explanation Control

Ways of Knowing

• Traditionalism or Authority Knowledge passed through traditions

or authority figures

• Rationalism Knowledge is a result of logical

thought and reasoning processes Deductive reasoning – central tool of

rationalism

• Empiricism Knowledge arises as a result of

observing events and drawing conclusions

Unscientific empiricism Falsification

Emphasis shifted from proving beliefs to be true to proving them to be false

Ways of Knowing

• How falsification works Falsifiable statement Non-falsifiable statements

Non-falsifiable statements◄ Inclusive statements◄ Definitional statements◄ Vapor statements

Confirmation