METHODS OF RESEARCH

1.Theory driven 1.Theory driven 2.Discovery of knowledge 2.Discovery of knowledge BASIC RESEARCH

APPLIED RESEARCH 1. IMMEDIATE practical problem 1. IMMEDIATE practical problem 2. ACTUAL problems in field 2. ACTUAL problems in field 3. LIMITED GENERALIZABILITY 3. LIMITED GENERALIZABILITY

Which is which? Comparison of the attitudes of mothers toward General Education requirements at UTEP to determine why more single women than married women are dropping out of college before taking courses in their majors. Comparison of the attitudes of mothers toward General Education requirements at UTEP to determine why more single women than married women are dropping out of college before taking courses in their majors. APPLIED APPLIED

Which is which? Researchers are interested in determining the brain biochemistry of children with autism. Researchers are interested in determining the brain biochemistry of children with autism. BASIC BASIC

Which is which? What is the relationship between self-esteem and body size? What is the relationship between self-esteem and body size? BASIC BASIC Are differences present between boys and girls in their psychological perspectives of self? Are differences present between boys and girls in their psychological perspectives of self? BASIC BASIC

Which is which? What is the effective of the Saxon Phonics program on reading achievement among elementary school students? What is the effective of the Saxon Phonics program on reading achievement among elementary school students? APPLIED APPLIED What is the effect of student-teacher progression on students’ achievement at Hornedo Middle School? What is the effect of student-teacher progression on students’ achievement at Hornedo Middle School? APPLIED APPLIED

EXPERIMENTAL Independent Variable (IV) manipulated by researcher Independent Variable (IV) manipulated by researcher Dependent Variable (DV) measured Dependent Variable (DV) measured Controlled setting Controlled setting Simple and powerful Simple and powerful Cause and effect relationships Cause and effect relationships

CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE Ex Post Facto research (after the fact) Ex Post Facto research (after the fact) IV cannot be manipulated ethically IV cannot be manipulated ethically Changes in IV have already occurred Changes in IV have already occurred Groups may be different before IV Groups may be different before IV Produces cause-effect relationship Produces cause-effect relationship

DESCRIPTIVE Tells what is; describes present state of affairs Tells what is; describes present state of affairs NO manipulation of variables NO manipulation of variables Subcategories Subcategories surveys surveys developmental studies developmental studies follow-up studies follow-up studies trend studies trend studies

CASE STUDY Detailed study of person/group Detailed study of person/group Person or group -- atypical Person or group -- atypical Entire range behaviors--relationships to person’s history and environment Entire range behaviors--relationships to person’s history and environment Reactions-naturally occurring events Reactions-naturally occurring events

CONTENT ANALYSIS Analysis of documents Analysis of documents textbooksnewspapers textbooksnewspapers journalsspeeches journalsspeeches Unobtrusive, easy to replicate Unobtrusive, easy to replicate Search for themes Search for themes Widely used Widely used

Which are which? Effect of divorce on student achievement Effect of divorce on student achievement CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE Comparison of 5 school districts regarding their discipline policies Comparison of 5 school districts regarding their discipline policies CONTENT ANALYSIS CONTENT ANALYSIS

Which are which? What is the effect of cooperative learning on student achievement in 7th grade science? What is the effect of cooperative learning on student achievement in 7th grade science? EXPERIMENTAL EXPERIMENTAL Investigation of computer versus traditional instruction when students can be assigned randomly to classes. Investigation of computer versus traditional instruction when students can be assigned randomly to classes. EXPERIMENTAL EXPERIMENTAL

Which are which? Evaluation of Ted Bundy. Evaluation of Ted Bundy. CASE STUDY CASE STUDY A survey of graduate students’ attitudes toward the increase in tuition. A survey of graduate students’ attitudes toward the increase in tuition. DESCRIPTIVE DESCRIPTIVE

Which are which? Does a unit on proper nutrition change children’s breakfast-eating habits? Does a unit on proper nutrition change children’s breakfast-eating habits? Experimental Experimental How many children in school report that they do not have breakfast at home? How many children in school report that they do not have breakfast at home? Survey Survey