THEORIES Concept formation, proposition formation, & proposition arrangement

Logical deduction

EMPIRICAL GENERALIZATIONS

HYPOTHESIS

Measurement, sample summarization, & parameter estimation OBSERVATIONS

Interpretation, instrumentation, scaling, & sampling

RESEARCH METHODS
Method EXPERIMENT

Application Explanatory research that specifies relationships among variables; generated quantitative data. Advantages Specifies cause and effect relationships; replication is easy.

Limitations Laboratory settings have an artificial quality; unless the research environment is carefully controlled, results maybe biased.

Method

SURVEY

Application Gathering information about the issue; that cannot be directly observed (e.g. attitude, values); useful for descriptive and explanatory research; generates quantitative data Advantages Sample allows surveys of large populations; interviews provide indepth interviews. Limitations Questionnaires must be carefully prepared and may yield a low return rate; interviews are expensive and time consuming.

Method

PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION

Application Exploratory and descriptive research of people in a natural setting.; generates qualitative data. Advantages Allows study of natural behavior; usually inexpensive. Limitations Time consuming; replication of research is difficult; researcher must balance roles of participants and observer.

Method
Application

SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS

Exploratory and descriptive research whenever suitable data are available.

Advantages

Saves time and expenses of data collection; makes historical research possible.
Research has no control over possible biases in data; data may only partially fit current research needs.

Limitations

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10.

Technical competence Neutrality, impartiality, and fair-minded Disclosure of all research findings Availability of results to others, especially those want to replicate the study Ensure the safety of the subjects taking part in the project Protect the privacy of anyone involved in a research project Informed consent Inclusion of the sources of all financial support in the publication. Avoid conflicts of interest that may compromise the integrity of their work. Familiarity with the society and culture