BHV 390 Research Design Purpose, Goals and Time Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D.

Dimensions of Research Purposes of research studies Exploratory research and Descriptive Research Explanatory research Uses of Research Basic and Applied Research Evaluation Research Time dimension in research Cross Sectional Research Longitudinal Trend/Time Series Panel Cohort

Basic and Applied Research Basic research is detached, scientific, and academically oriented. Applied research is pragmatic, problem solving and reform oriented.

Basic Research The goal is to contribute to basic or theoretical knowledge. Problems and subjects are selected with a focus on the next logical step in understanding an issue. The research is judged by absolute standards. Internal logic and rigor are key to research. Success comes via publication in scholarly journals.

Basic Research Features It is largely university-based. It’s goal is knowledge-building. It normally involves theory testing. It prefers experiments. It often requires long-term studies.

Applied Research Research is part of a job, and is judged by sponsors or outsiders. The problems and subjects studied are narrowly constrained. The research standards depend on the results. Generalizing results for sponsors is key to applied research. The goal is to develop practical payoffs or results. Success is defined by results that can used by the sponsors and others.

Types of Applied Research Evaluation research – to assess results Social impact studies – to inform policy Action research – to change a situation

The Three Purposes of Research Exploratory research investigates issues or populations for which little is known. Descriptive research provides detailed information about the nature of issues, individuals or populations. Explanatory research investigates the relationship between two or more variables.

Goals of Exploratory Research Gather basic information about the nature of an issue, individual, population or setting. Formulate and focus questions about an issue, individual, population or setting. Determine what kinds of information should be collected to better understand the issue, individual, population or setting Decide what can be measured or described within the setting. Develop research questions about the issue, individual, population or setting.

Goals of Descriptive Research Provide a detailed, accurate picture. Locate new data. Create a set of categories. Clarify the sequence of steps. Document causal processes. Report background and context.

Goals of Explanatory Research Test a theory’s predictions. Elaborate or enrich the theory by testing new hypotheses or replicating tests of existing hypotheses. Extend the theory to new issues by testing new hypotheses. Support or refute hypotheses or explanations. Link causes with general principles. Determine which explanations work best.

Time Dimension in Research Cross Sectional research is like a snapshot; gathering data at one point in time. Longitudinal research, analogous to a movie or video; investigations gather data at multiple points in time.

Longitudinal Designs Trend or Time Series Studies are multiple studies of different samples over some period of time (e.g.: opinion surveys). Cohort research involves multiple studies of different samples of similar categories or groups (e.g. students entering college this year). Panel research involves multiple studies of the same sample over an extended period of time.

Other Factors in Research Design Emic Vs. Etic Data Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Data Discrete Vs. Continuous Data Association Vs. Cause and Effect Validity Reliability