Steps in the research process
Select topic -- Lit-review
Develop a Hypothesis (Theory)
Operationalize concepts
Methodology
Collect Data
Test the Null Hypothesis using the Data
Report findings
Sources of Knowledge and limitations of knowledge from these sources
a) Authority -- Overestimate expertise
b) Tradition -- Changing circumstances make previously useful information less powerful.
c) Common Sense -- Sometimes contains inaccuracies, misinformation, and prejudice.
d) Personal Experience -- Subject to overgeneralization, selective observation, illogical reasoning, and resistance to change.
e) Media -- Media accounts are exaggerated myths and are subject to commercialization.
Essence and two primary reasons for conducting research
Discovering the truth -- dispelling myths.
Characteristics of conducting research that distinguishes “research” from knowledge gained from “other sources”
1. Logical systematic methods and rigor
2. Findings have the ability to be replicated or discredited.
3. Objectivity through neutrality, removal of bias, and openness
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Outcomes of engaging in research
1) To predict the score on the Dependent Variable
2) To explain variability on the Dependent Variable.
How do we improve prediction of the Dependent variable
We use the data from the independent variable
How do we explain variability on that variable
We use the data from the independent variable
Data types (Metric -- Nominal)
Metric -- How much (the quantity) of a trait or characteristic a person or subject possesses.
Nominal -- Names only the characteristic, not the quantity. A "fixed" characteristic or trait such as gender (male or female) or party affiliation (Republican, Democrat, or Independent). The levels of each category are mutually exclusive, meaning a person or subject can only belong to one category of the variable.
Think about your research paper -- Have Zotero do the dirty work
Download and Print “Percentages Under Normal Curve” (bring a hard-copy to class every day)
Read “Knowledge-Base" for "Univariate Frequency Distributions”
Read “Cheat Sheet: Univariate Frequency Distributions” (create your own hand written copy)
Accomplish “Homework: Univariate Frequency Distributions”