Lesson 2 will consist of the following topics
For lesson 2, read pages 8-19 in Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application, Seventh Edition by L. R. Gay and Peter Airasian (2003, Merrill/Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-099463-4)
or read pages 6-19 in Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application, Eighth Edition by Lorrie Gay, Geoffrey Mills, and Peter Airasian (2006, Prentice-Hall, ISBN 0-13-118534-9)
or read pages 45-63 in Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, 3rd Edition by John W. Creswell (2008, Merrill/Prentice Hall, ISBN-13: 978-0-13-613550-0)
Six types of research studies
The qualitative versus quantitative approach to the classification of research activities classifies all research studies into one of six categories
Qualitative approach The qualitative approach involves the collection of extensive narrative data in order to gain insights into phenomena of interest, data analysis includes the coding of the data and production of a verbal synthesis (inductive process)
Quantitative approach The quantitative approaches involve the collection of numerical data in order to explain, predict, and/or control phenomena of interest, data analysis is mainly statistical (deductive process)
Historical research and qualitative research are the two types of research classified as qualitative research approaches.
Historical research is involved with the study of past events. We will go into much more detail about historical research in Lesson 8.
The following are some examples of historical research studies mentioned by Gay.
Qualitative research, also referred to as ethnographic research, is involved in the study of current events rather than past events. It involves the collection of extensive narrative data (non-numerical data) on many variables over an extended period of time in a naturalistic setting. Participant observation, where the researcher lives with the subjects being observed is frequently used in qualitative research. Case studies are also used in qualitative research. We will discuss qualitative research in more detail in lesson 9.
Some examples of qualitative studies mention by Gay are:
Descriptive research involves collecting data in order to test hypotheses or answer questions regarding the subjects of the study. In contrast with the qualitative approach the data are numerical. The data are typically collected through a questionnaire, an interview, or through observation.
In descriptive research, the investigator reports the numerical results for one or more variables on the subjects of the study. We will discuss descriptive research in more detail in Lesson 10.
Some examples of descriptive research studies mentioned by Gay are:
Correlational research attempts to determine whether and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable (numerical) variables. However, it is important to remember that just because their is a significant relationship between two variables it does not follow that one variable causes the other. When two variables are correlated you can use the relationship to predict the value on one variable for a subject if you know that subject's value on the other variable. Correlation implies prediction but not causation. The investigator frequently uses the correlation coefficient to report the results of correlational research.
We will study correlational research in more detail in lesson 11. Some examples of correlational research mentioned by Gay are:
Causal-comparative research attempts to establish cause-effect relationships among the variables of the study. The attempt is to establish that values of the independent variable have a significant effect on the dependent variable. This type of research usually involves group comparisons. The groups in the study make up the values of the independent variable, for example gender (male versus female), preschool attendance versus no preschool attendance, or children with a working mother versus children without a working mother. These could be the independent variables for the sample studies listed below. However, in causal-comparative research the independent variable is not under the experimenters control, that is, the experimenter can't randomly assign the subjects to a gender classification (male or female) but has to take the values of the independent variable as they come. The dependent variable in a study is the outcome variable.
We will study causal-comparative research in more detail in lesson 12. Here are some examples of causal-comparative research studies mentioned by Gay.
Experimental research like causal-comparative research attempts to establish cause-effect relationship among the groups of subjects that make up the independent variable of the study, but in the case of experimental research, the cause (the independent variable) is under the control of the experimenter. That is, the experimenter can randomly assign subjects to the groups that make up the independent variable in the study. In the typical experimental research design the experimenter randomly assigns subjects to the groups or conditions that constitute the independent variable of the study and then measures the effect this group membership has on another variable, i.e. the dependent variable of the study.
We will look at experimental research in much greater detail in lesson 13. The following are some examples of experimental research mentioned by Gay.
Now that we have looked at the six types of educational research. Let's see if we can classify some research studies. Click on the button below to see a diagram for classifying the six types of educational research. After looking at the diagram click on the previous page button of your browser to return to this page. Then go ahead and do the classification activity below.
Diagram for Classifying Six Types of Research
As an exercise, classify each of the following as primarily:
And the answers are:
Click on Lesson 2 Assignment to go to the assignment for Lesson 2.
Click on Lesson 2 Quiz to go to the Quiz for Lesson 2.
Please send electronic mail to the course instructor if you have any questions about this lesson or other concerns.
