Research Concepts 1 Approaches and Methods LSS 1123 Research Methods Research Concepts 1 Approaches and Methods

Research Types Questions Secondary research Journals, newspapers, websites Summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting Citations, bibliographies Primary research Questionnaires, interviews, observations, experiments Tabulating, interpreting meaning Making conclusions

Questions

Primary Research Approaches Questions V Quantitative Closed data Mixed Methods Open data Qualitative

Quantitative Research Back Closed data Questionnaires Select and arrange items for the research topic Tabulate the results Interpret Experiments Control and manipulate conditions quantify the results Observe, record and

Qualitative Research Back Open data Interviews Look for patterns of meaning Categorize (themes) Interpret Observation Look for patterns of behavior

Example - Questionnaire data Back Questions How often do you smoke? N= 142 Never (34%) Once and while (24%) A least once a day (12 %) A few times a day (18 %) When ever I have a chance (12%) On a scale of 1 to 5 rate your sense of satisfaction when smoking. No satisfaction 1 2 3 4 5 Total satisfaction Ave= 2.4

Example - Experimental design Back Questions Control conditions > Introduce treatment > Observe outcome Phase 1: Pictures were ranked by 100 participants on a scale of 1 (not stressful) to 10 (very stressful). Phase 2: Twenty five heavy smokers were shown the same pictures. On a scale of 1 to 5 (not at all to very much) the smokers rated their desire to smoke because of seeing the picture. A strong association (70 covariance) was found between stress ranking of the picture and the desire to smoke among the smokers

Example - Interview analysis Back Questions Interviewer: What sorts of situations make you feel like smoking? Smoker: When I have test coming or an assignment due I start smoking more. I find when I have a smoke I can relax. Interviewer: What other situations make you want to smoke? Smoker: Around the time the teacher puts the scores on the portal I want to smoke more. It helps me deal with the stress. Topic: Theme:

Example - Observation Back Questions People were recorded on video sitting in the smoking area outside the college cafeteria. Analysis of the videos indicates that people sitting alone were more likely to be smoking and were smoking their cigarettes more quickly than people who were sitting and talking to other people. This might suggest that situations in which the smoker is feeling socially isolated may stimulate him or her to smoke.

Review Questions The research process involves both primary and secondary research. T / F What part of the research process will definitely involve secondary research? Which two phases of the research process are definitely classified as primary research? In which phase does the researcher compare his results to his/her secondary research information? What is likely meant by a mixed methods research design?

Review Questions In what type of research are you likely to describe your findings using numbers? What type of research controls the information you get? What conclusion might the researcher draw from the data on the questionnaire slide? Most of the respondents smoke and they definitely do it because they enjoy it. Most of the respondents smoke and enjoyment of smoking may not be the main reason. People smoke because they feel stress. What do the results in the experimental slide seem to indicate? Stress may lead to smoking behavior in smokers Stress may lead to smoking behavior in smokers and non smokers There is no association between stress factors and smoking

Review questions What might be the topic from the analysis of the interview transcript? Why I started smoking Why I want to stop smoking What makes me want to smoke What might be the theme from the text highlighted in red in the interview analysis transcript? Stress at home Stress at work Stress in college In the observation description, what does the researcher think might be associated with smoking? Talking to people Sitting alone and perhaps feeling isolated Having no friends