1. Methods of observation - Collecting data
LIS 570
Methods of observation - Collecting data

2. Summary Definition Criteria for selection Type of research
Explanatory
Descriptive
Common designs
Asking questions

3. Research Design: Definition
Framework which guides the collection of data
Blueprint for the study
Goal - to select the strongest design for the type of research
Two major types of research
descriptive
explanatory

4. Choice of research design (Bouma)
Depends on the hypothesis or research objective of the study
Case study - What is happening?
Longitudinal study - Has there been a change in A
Comparison - Are A and B different?
Longitudinal comparison - Are A and B different through time?
Experiment - Is the difference between A and B due to a change in the independent variable?

5. Case study Most primitive design
of little use when trying to analyse causal processes
would rely on plausible conjecture
Collecting information from one group at one point in time
Aim - description - what is going on? Is there a relationship between A and B?

6. The longitudinal study
Two or more case studies of the same group separated by an interval of time
Measurement of a variable at both points of time
Intervention
cannot conclude a causal influence
Time 1
Intervention
Time 2
religious
orientation
religious
orientation

7. Comparison study Cross-sectional design Most common
Collect measures from at least two groups of people at one point in time
Compares the extent to which the two groups differ on the dependent variable

8. Comparison Study Select variable related to the concept under study
Devise a way to measure the variables
Develop a data recording devise
Measure the same variable in the same way in two or more groups at the same or nearly the same time A
Are A and B different?
Time 1 B

9. Longitudinal comparison
Quasi-panel design
different groups of people are studied at the two points of time
Can avoid problems of keeping track of people over time
Problems
can’t draw causal inferences
difficulties with matching the samples at time 1
and time 2

10. Explanatory Research: Basic Requirements
A relationship between the variables needs to be established
All other reasons for the relationship must be able to be eliminated
Strongest research design is an experimental design

11. Classic Experimental Designs: Minimum Requirements
Two groups
Experimental group
Control group
Random Assignment of units of analysis to C and E groups
Active intervention for the E group
Purposefully changes the conditions of the Independent Variable (X)
Synonyms
Manipulation of the IV
Treatment
Measurement of Dependent Variable Y at the end of intervention for E and C groups

12. Collecting data How the data will be collected Questionnaire
observation
in-depth interview
content analysis
Questionnaire
Which questions to ask?
Research problem
indicators
hunches about the link between variables

13. Questionnaires Explanatory research Descriptive research
Measures of the dependent variable
Measures of the independent variable
Measures of the test variable
Background measures
Descriptive research
the phenomenon we are describing
background characteristics

14. Question content Behavior Beliefs Attitudes Attributes characteristics
what people do
Beliefs
what people believe is true or false
Attitudes
what people think is desirable
Attributes
characteristics

15. Wording questions (De Vaus, Babbie)
Is the language simple?
Can the question be shortened
Is the question double-barrelled?
Is the question leading?
Is the question negative?
Is the respondent likely to have the necessary knowledge?
Will the words have the same meaning for everyone?
Is there a prestige bias?

16. Wording questions Is the question ambiguous?
Do you need a direct of indirect question?
Is the frame of reference for the question sufficiently clear?
Does the question artificially create opinions?
Is personal or impersonal wording preferable?

17. Wording questions
Is the question wording unnecessarily detailed or objectionable?
Does the question have dangling alternatives?
Is the question likely to produce a response set?

18. Question types (De Vaus)
Open and closed questions?
Closed question formats
Category rating scales
Semantic differential formats
Checklists
Ranking formats
Attitude choice

19. Conclusion Simple case study What is happening? Longitudinal study
Comparison
Longitudinal
comparison
Experiment
What is happening?
Has there been a change in A
Are A and B Different?
Are A and B different through time?
Is the difference between A and B due to a change in the independent variable