Chapter 2: Where Does Research Come From?

Question 1

How do you come up with a research idea?

Answer 1

• common assumptions: provide evidence for/against commonly held beliefs
• observations: study what you know, “me-search”, relevant to researcher
• practical problems: research to increase awareness, understand, solve current issues
• theories: test theory to see if its supported (tangibility)
• past research: replications or extensions

Question 2

How do you find past research?

Answer 2

• library databases
• google scholar
• internet/wikipedia

Question 3

What are library databases useful for?

Answer 3

allows for very narrow, specific search of the exact topic of interest, many options of filters to get better results

Question 4

What is Google Scholar useful for?

Answer 4

• broader search, good for a starting point or general knowledge on a topic
• fewer options for filtering and will not limit to peer-reviewed articles

Question 6

What are types of research sources?

Answer 6

• empirical studies
• systematic literature reviews
• meta-analyses

Question 7

What are empirical studies?

Answer 7

• primary source
• basic research paper detailing “original research” from person who did that research

Question 8

What are systematic literature reviews?

Answer 8

• secondary source
• offers narrative review or summary of existing research on a specific topic
• provides general description of the findings in a particular area

Question 9

What are meta-analyses?

Answer 9

• secondary source
• uses a statistical analysis to summarize existing research on a specific topic
• provides statistical estimate of a set of findings in a particular area

Question 10

What are the different parts of a research paper?

Answer 10

• abstract
• introduction
• methods
• results
• discussion
• references
• appendices/supplemental material

Question 11

What is an abstract?

Answer 11

120-250 word summary of entire article

Question 12

What is an introduction?

Answer 12

tells a story, explains purpose, past research findings/theoretical framework, leads in a logical way to stating research hypothesis(es)

Question 13

What is the Methods part?

Answer 13

describes the research design in detail

Question 14

What is the Results part?

Answer 14

provides objective (non-interpreted) report of study findings

Question 15

What is the Discussion part?

Answer 15

interprets the study findings, typically in context of existing research and theory; proposes implications, limitations of study design, and future research directions

Question 16

Why must we be critical of the journal articles we read?

Answer 16

• possibility for bias to show up in interpretation
• risk of questionable research practices
• researchers are infallible - they make mistakes too

Question 17

How do you develop good hypotheses?

Answer 17

• hypotheses based on theory/past research findings
• “exploratory hypotheses”

Question 18

What are hypotheses based on theory/past research findings?

Answer 18

• what are parts of your guiding theory remain to be tested or require further testing?
• what areas have been suggested for additional research?
• replication of past research?: direct and conceptual

Question 19

What are “exploratory hypotheses”?

Answer 19

• insufficient past research/theory to develop clear hypotheses
• should at least have logical explanation of anticipated results

Question 20

What are the different parts of developing a good hypotheses?

Answer 20

• research idea
• research hypothesis
• specific hypothesis/prediction

Question 21

What are components of a specific hypothesis/prediction?

Answer 21

• predicts an outcome
• indicates direction
• is falsifiable