Research Problems Chapter 2 This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law The following are prohibited by law Any public performance or display including transmission of any image over a network Preparation of any derivative work including the extraction in whole or in part of any images Any rental lease or lending of the program Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Discussion Topics Research problems Quantitative research problems Qualitative research problems Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Research Problems One or more sentences indicating the goal purpose or overall direction of the study General characteristics Implies the possibility of empirical investigation Identifies a need for the research Provides focus Provides a concise overview of the research Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Research Problems Two ways of stating the problem Research problems typically a rather general overview of the problem with just enough information about the scope and purpose of the study to provide an initial understanding of the research Research statements and or questions more specific focused statements and questions that communicate in greater detail the nature of the study Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Research Problems A general research problem The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes of high school students to mandated drug testing programs Specific statements and questions This study examines the differences between males and females attitudes toward mandated high school drug testing programs What are the differences between freshmen sophomore junior and senior students attitudes toward mandated high school drug testing programs Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Research Problems Researchable and non researchable problems Researchable problems imply the possibility of empirical investigation What are the achievement and social skill differences between children attending an academically or socially oriented preschool program What is the relationship between teachers knowledge of assessment methods and their use of them Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Research Problems Researchable and non researchable problems Non researchable problems include explanations of how to do something vague propositions and value based concerns Is democracy a good form of government Should values clarification be taught in public schools Can crime be prevented Should physical education classes be dropped from the high school curriculum Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Research Problems Quantitative problems Specific Closed Static Outcome oriented Use of specific variables Qualitative problems General Open Evolving Process oriented Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Research Problems Sources of research problems Personal interests and experiences The use of formative tests in a statistics class The use of technology in a research class Deductions from theory The effectiveness of math manipulatives The effectiveness of a mastery approach to learning research Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Research Problems Sources of research problems Replication of studies Checking the findings of a major study Checking the validity of research findings with different subjects Checking trends or changes over time Checking important findings using different methodologies Clarification of contradictory results Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Quantitative Research Problems Identifies three specific elements The type of research design The variables of interest and the relationships between or among these variables The subjects involved in the study Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Quantitative Research Problems Variables A variable is a label of name that represents a concept or characteristic that varies e g gender weight achievement attitudes toward inclusion etc Conceptual and operational definitions of variables Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Quantitative Research Problems Conceptual and operational definitions of variables Conceptual i e constitutive definition the use of words or concepts to define a variable Achievement what one has learned from formal instruction Aptitude one s capability for performing a particular task or skill Operational definition an indication of the meaning of a variable through the specification of the manner by which it is measured categorized or controlled A test score Income levels above and below 45 000 per year The use of holistic or phonetic language instruction Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Quantitative Research Problems Three types of variables defined by the context within which the variable is discussed Independent and dependent variables Extraneous and confounding variables Continuous and categorical variables Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Quantitative Research Problems Independent and dependent i e cause and effect Independent variables act as the cause in that they precede influence and predict the dependent variable Dependent variables act as the effect in that they change as a result of being influenced by an independent variable Examples The effect of two instructional approaches independent variable on student achievement dependent variable The use of SAT scores independent variable to predict freshman grade point averages dependent variable Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Quantitative Research Problems Extraneous and confounding variables Extraneous variables are those that affect the dependent variable but are not controlled adequately by the researcher Not controlling for the key boarding skills of students in a study of computer assisted instruction Confounding variables are those that vary systematically with the independent variable and exert influence of the dependent variable Not using counselors with similar levels of experience in a study comparing the effectiveness of two counseling approaches Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Quantitative Research Problems Continuous and categorical variables Continuous variables are measured on a scale that theoretically can take on an infinite number of values Test scores range from a low of 0 to a high of 100 Attitude scales that range from very negative at 0 to very positive at 5 Students ages Copyright Allyn Bacon 2008 Quantitative Research Problems Continuous and categorical variables Categorical variables are measured and assigned to groups on the basis of specific characteristics Examples Gender male and female Socio economic status low middle and high The term level is used to discuss the groups or categories Gender has two levels male and female Socio