Philosophical Worldviews, Theory, and Research Proposals

Question 1

What are the components of a research design?

Answer 1

Philosophical worldview = researcher’s beliefs about the world and the nature of research
Research approach = quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods
Research methods = specific methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation

Question 2

What is theory? How do you use it in quantitative research?

Answer 2

Theories organize and explain (without theory hard to set up research study).
They impose framework on variables, which makes things comprehensible.
Theories allow us to generate new knowledge.
Deductive approach to theory (start with theory and work down from it).

Question 3

Variables

Answer 3

Characteristics or attribute that can be measured/observed and varies categorically/along a continuum.
Independent and dependent variables.

Question 4

Mediating Variables

Answer 4

Stands between/intervenes between IV and DV.
Explains how/why a relationship exists. Something between the IV and DV is why the IV has effect on the DV, and vice versa.
Must be causal result of IV which causes DV.

Question 5

Moderating Variables

Answer 5

Affects direction and/or strength of IV-DV relationship.
Explains when a relationship exists.
Changes relationship between IV and DV.
Must be causal result of IV.

Question 6

Correlation

Answer 6

Two variables related to each other.
On a scale of -1.0 to +1.0.
Closer to one end or the other = stronger correlation.
Negative correlation = closer to negative one (one variable increases and other decreases).
Positive correlation = closer to positive one (Both increase/decrease).

Question 7

How is theory used in quantitative research?

Answer 7

Theory used deductively.
Theory is framework for your study.
Theory acts as an organizing model for your research questions.
You examine hypotheses derived from theory.
Data is collected to test hypotheses.
You reflect on your results, do they support or refute your theory?
Theories are tested.

Question 8

Research Proposals

Answer 8

Typically include the following general areas (especially in quantitative study):
-introduction with literature review and purpose statement (reviewing knowledge already present in that area and summarizing it).
-proposed methods (what you want to do)
-proposed data analysis (how you will analyze the data you collected)
-appendices

Question 9

Introduction

Answer 9

Create an interest in the topic.
Include a narrative hook (an opening sentence that draws, engage, or hooks the reader into the study).
Establish the problem needed to be researched.
Situate the study in the larger pool of literature (provide background information).
Include a statement that identifies the purpose or intent of the research (filling gap in the research).

Question 10

Literature Search and Review

Answer 10

A synopsis of what researchers know based on studies that have already been done on similar, relevant topics.
Process of locating and summarizing literature on your research topic.
Important for identifying research topic, research problem(s), purpose statements (what drives the research), variables and concepts of interest, hypotheses and research questions.

Question 11

Why do a literature review?

Answer 11

Find related literature on your chosen topic of research interest.
Explain what is already known about the topic and find the gap in the literature.
Situate your study in the literature.
Establish importance of your study.

Question 12

How to do a literature review?

Answer 12

1) Select a literature on your research topic
-primary sources = first hand source of data
-secondary sources = author evaluates and summarizes previous research
2) Record, critique, and organize the literature review
-study purpose
-literature review
-study design
-methods
-data collection