Research Methods Summer 2008 Developing Ideas For Research

Agenda n General Housekeeping n Lesson Objective n Ed’s Overview / Discussion n Questions.

Objective n “. . . to identify methods used for developing research” 3

Ed’s Overview n I. Sources of Research Ideas n II. Developing Research Questions n

I. Sources of Research Ideas n n A. Unsystematic Observation – Good Starting Point

II. Developing Research Questions n A. Asking Answerable Questions n B. Asking The Right

III. Theory Defined n n n Scientific Theory Versus Hypothesis Theory Versus Law Theory

IV. Types of Theory n n n A. Quantitative Theory B. Qualitative Theory C.

IV. Types of Theory n n D. Domain of a Theory E. Roles of

V. Characteristics of a Good Theory n n n A. Ability to Account for

VI. Developing Theories n n n A. Defining The Scope B. Knowing The Literature

VII. Confirming Theories n n A. Confirmation of Theories B. Disconfirmation of Theories. 12

VII. Confirming Theories n C. Strategies for Testing Theories – Strong Inference – Confirmational

Recap n Sources of Research Ideas n Developing Research Questions n Theory Defined n

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Agenda n General Housekeeping n Lesson Objective n Ed’s Overview / Discussion n Questions. 2

Objective n “. . . to identify methods used for developing research” 3

Ed’s Overview n I. Sources of Research Ideas n II. Developing Research Questions n III. Theory Defined n IV. Types of Theory n V. Characteristics of a Good Theory n VI. Developing Theories n VII. Confirming Theories. 4

I. Sources of Research Ideas n n A. Unsystematic Observation – Good Starting Point B. Systematic Observation – Unsystematic Observation – Published Research – Projects on the Internet – Theory – Need. 5

II. Developing Research Questions n A. Asking Answerable Questions n B. Asking The Right Questions n – Can It Be Measured – Empirical Questions – Operational Definitions C. Asking Important Questions – Clarification – Practical Applications. 6

III. Theory Defined n n n Scientific Theory Versus Hypothesis Theory Versus Law Theory Versus Model Computer Modeling Functional Explanations. 7

IV. Types of Theory n n n A. Quantitative Theory B. Qualitative Theory C. Level of Description – Descriptive Theories – Analogical Theories – Fundamental Theories. 8

IV. Types of Theory n n D. Domain of a Theory E. Roles of a Theory – Understanding – Prediction – Organizing and Interpreting – Generating Research. 9

V. Characteristics of a Good Theory n n n A. Ability to Account for Data B. Explanatory Relevance C. Testability D. Prediction E. Parsimony. 10

VI. Developing Theories n n n A. Defining The Scope B. Knowing The Literature C. Formulating Your Theory – Act of Creation – Preparedness – Analogy – Introspection D. Establishing Validity E. Testing Your Theory. 11

VII. Confirming Theories n n A. Confirmation of Theories B. Disconfirmation of Theories. 12

VII. Confirming Theories n C. Strategies for Testing Theories – Strong Inference – Confirmational Strategy – Disconfirmational Strategy – Using Both Together. 13

Recap n Sources of Research Ideas n Developing Research Questions n Theory Defined n Types of Theory n Characteristics of a Good Theory n Developing Theories n Confirming Theories. 14

Developing Ideas Questions 15