Application: Developing a Research Question and Controlling Covariate(s)
Developing a research question represents a crucial step in the research process. Not only should the question address a research problem and issue of consequence, but it should also solicit “a response in the form of a structured scientific inquiry” (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2008, p. 46). Furthermore, the research question should be sufficiently specific, based on or building upon previous studies, add new knowledge or expand the existing understanding of an issue, as well as be practical, feasible, and interesting (Creswell, 2009). As a result developing a research question represents a formidable task. In addition, once a guiding research question has been formulated, the research needs to assess possible approaches (qualitative/quantitative), designs, and methods suited to effectively answer the question. In quantitative research selecting a design also entails the identification of dependent and independent variables, as well as potential intervening and control variables.
Since the initial research question selected appears to be too complex for use in the assignments, the following paper will be used to develop a new research question and explore a different research avenue. More accurately, the topic will be modified and adapted to fit within the scope of this class. As a result of this adjustment, the assignment will select a research design as well as produce a justification for the selection. In addition, it will briefly discuss the variables and elaborate on how the study intends to control for potential covariates.
Research Question
The original research question sought to inquire into the relationship between citizenship norms, engaged ci...
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...s to offer. While my tentative dissertation topic introduced in the last assignment will (likely) remain unchanged, I have decided to explore a different aspect of the topic for this class.
References:
Campbell, D. T., & Stanley, J. C. (1963). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Creswell, J. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing between five approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Frankfort-Nachmias, C., & Nachmias, D. (2008). Research methods in the social sciences (7th ed.). New York: Worth.
Ludford, P. (n.d.). ANCOVA. Retrieved from University of Minnesota: http://www-users.cs.umn.edu/~ludford/Stat_Guide/ANCOVA.htm
Price, & Oswald. (2008). Correlational research. Retrieved from California State University: http://psych.csufresno.edu/psy144/Content/Design/Types/correlational.html
The book is divided into three sections. Chapters one through three deftly connects theory and survey data to characterize citizen norms in modern America. Chapters four through seven addresses the ramifications of those changing norms. Chapters eight and nine are a cross-national perspective, focusing on citizenship norms in the United States and abroad, and the similarities across nations.
Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Practical Research Planning and Design (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
In response to the question set, I will go into detail of the study, consisting of the background, main hypotheses, as well the aims, procedure and results gathered from the study; explaining the four research methods chosen to investigate, furthering into the three methods actually tested.
Available at http://srmo.sagepub.com/view/the-sage-dictionary-of-social-research-methods/n134.xml. Retrieved on 31/03/2014.
Three major types of methods used for this study are “Longitudinal Research Method”, “Cross- sectional Research Method” and “Cross Sequential Method” (A cohort form of Longitudinal and cross-sectional method). “Case Study Method” and “Survey Method” also have been used (Baltes, 1968).
The authors of this article have outlined the purpose, aims, and objectives of the study. It also provides the methods used which is quantitative approach to collect the data, the results, conclusion of the study. It is important that the author should present the essential components of the study in the abstract because the abstract may be the only section that is read by readers to decide if the study is useful or not or to continue reading (Coughlan, Cronin, and Ryan, 2007; Ingham-Broomfield, 2008 p.104; Stockhausen and Conrick, 2002; Nieswiadomy, 2008 p.380).
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Marshall, C, Rossman, Gretchen B, (2006). Designing qualitative research, 4th edition, Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications.
Now within the rest of this paper you will be finding a few different things getting discussed. Staring it off we will be discussing the articles that we have found to make our arguments and hypotheses. After wrapping up the literature reviews we will be discussing the hypotheses thus continuing onto our variables and indicators. Once we discuss our hypotheses we will be moving onto the research design. The research design will have our general issues, sampling, and methods.
Liamputtong, P. & Ezzy, D., 2005, Qualitative research methods, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Victoria, pp. 12-31.
Perri 6 & Christine B., 2012. Principles of Methodology: Research Design in Social Science. London: Sage.
Experimental designs are viewed as the most accurate, and most demanding of research designs, requiring strict attention to rules and procedures. Researchers use these research designs to manipulate and control testing procedures as a way to understand a cause and effect relationship. Commonly, independent variables are manipulated to judge or decide their effect on a dependent variable (Trochim & Donnelly, 2008).
Qualitative and Quantitative study designs both can be beneficial in research design. They both provide valuable options for researchers in the field. These techniques can either be used separately in a research study or they can be combined to achieve maximum information. This paper will define the terms qualitative and quantitative; describe the similarities and differences between each; discuss how qualitative and/or quantitative research designs or techniques could be used in the evaluation of my proposed research; and discuss why linking analysis to study design is important.
After establishing the research problem and what results are wanted, it will define how it will find the answers. Research is a form of collection and interpretation of information that will form the basis of finding answers to questions. The research uses theories and methods that h...
According to Mouton, research designs are tailored to address different kinds of research questions. Thus, when attempts are made to classify different kinds of research studies to different design types, they are classified by the kind of research questions they are able to answer. Research designs can be mapped out to the types of research questions (research problem) using four dimensions: 1) empirical versus non-empirical dimension, 2) using primary versus using secondary data, 3) the nature of the data (numerical versus textual data) and 4) the degree of control (structured (laboratory) conditions versus natural field settings)