1. Fraenkel and Wallen, 1996

2. The Scientific Approach Major distinguishing features: Done in ‘the public arena’ Subject to rigorous testing in controlled environments Replication of the study is always possible and encouraged Publicity of results

3. Conclusions Do not = proof!!! They are always subject to change if new ideas or evidence arises Example: Raising a child as a bilingual…

4. Steps of the scientific approach 1. Identification of a problem or question 2. Clarification of the problem 3. Determination of the information needed & how to obtain it 4. Organization of the information 5. Interpretation

5. Types of Research Quantitative vs. Qualitative

6. Types of Research (Quantitative) Experimental research: The most conclusive type of research (but not always possible to conduct) The independent variable…What is it?  The dependent variable…Whatis it? Control of extraneous variables…

7. Types of Research (Quantitative) Correlational Research: measures the relationship between two variables Is factor X correlated with characteristic A? No active manipulation by the researcher (unlike experimental research) Correlation does not = causation!

8. Types of Research (Quantitative) Causal-Comparison Research: also a comparison between Often used when experimental research is not possible for some reason (perhaps unethical, perhaps not feasible) Two or more existing groups are used Goal: to find the cause or the consequence of differences between them Results also cannot be considered direct effects; other factors may have also played a role

9. Types of Research (Quantitative or Qualitative) Survey Research: Use of questions to obtain specific information about a group Types: 1.) Descriptive survey: written questionnaire or proficiency test administered to a large group of people (by phone, mail, in-person) 2.)When questions are asked in person, then it’s an interview Benefits and Drawbacks of the approach?

10. Types of Research (Quantitative or Qualitative) Content-Analysis Research: Analysis of materials already produced by people (No actual manipulation involved) Usually analysis of written documents (like newspapers, magazines, diaries), but also possible to analyze any other kind of artifact (like movies) Used in situations in which the material is not pre- organized; the researcher locates and analyzes the material. Example?

11. Types of research (Qualitative) Ethnographic study: Goal: To gain insight into people’s everyday lives Methods used: Interviews with participants Interviews with people near the participant observation of the situation Example: A classroom

12. Types of research (Qualitative) Case Study: A more detailed look into the topic of the ethnographic approach  The focus is generally on one or a few people that are special in some way.  Example: High achieving individuals within the classroom.

13. Types of research (Qualitative) Historical Research: Attempt to reconstruct some kind of an event in the past Interviews with people who experienced the event Analysis of documents that date back to the time of the historical event Example?

14. Discussion Topic (Divide into groups) Discuss the following question: What type of research is more important/has more value? Does any one type of research stand out in this way?