Based on class discussions, personal experience, prior knowledge and the text, identify which of the three philosophies most closely matches your world view. Discuss how you acquired your beliefs (inherited or adopted). 

  Based on class discussions, personal experience, prior knowledge and the text, create a diagram of the research process. 

I suggest that you do the following: 
 

First, read the chapter all the way through. 
Second, read the outline all the way through. 
Third, look for the match between the outline and the chapter.

I. Role of Research 
 

A. Identify issues in need of examination 

B. Provide information regarding how the quality of life may be improved 

C. Allow for describing, predicting, and controlling phenomenon 
 

A. Way of knowing and understanding 

B. Process of systematic inquiry 
 

A. Participant -- the individual being studied 

B. Construct -- a psychological trait that can not be directly observed or measured (ex: intelligence, anxiety, happiness, fear) 

C. Variable -- a trait belonging to an individual; not all types of research have independent or dependent variables, but all have variables

1. independent -- usually the treatment administered 

2. dependent -- the trait the researcher is attempting to influence 

3. extraneous -- traits which may not be of primary interest to the researcher but that influence or impact the other variables being studied 

D. Groups -- research may divide participants into two or more groups, those receiving treatment (experimental) and those not receiving treatment (control) 

E. Population -- the group to whom the researcher intends to generalize the results of the study  

F. Sample -- the group of participants; these were selected from the population 

G. Generalizability --  the ability to generalize the results of the study from the sample to the population; this will be studied later in relationship to threats to the validity of the study 

H. Transferability -- the ability of the consumer of research to make judgments as to the applicability of the results of the study to their own situation 

I. Statistical significance -- the probability that the results of the study are due to chance 
 

A. Identify a theory or problem 
 
1. Inductive inference -- by observation the researcher has noticed patterns  

2. Deductive inference -- researcher makes a prediction regarding patterns observed through inductive reasoning or after some review of prior studies

B. Review the literature 

C. Conceptualize the statement of the problem 
 

1. define terms 

2. operationalize the statement 
 

D. Design the study 
 
1. identify variables 

2. identify population, sample, sampling method 

3. select instrument(s) 

4. select method of gathering information 

5. select statistical tests, if any 
 

E. Gather data 

F. Analyze data / Summarize  

G. Draw conclusions 

H. Make recommendations or implications 

I. Give directions / suggestions for future research

A. Definitions 
 
1. Paradigm is a philosophical perspective (Your author focuses on three. There are as many philosophies and philosophers; so you will come across others as you become more involved in conducting and consuming research studies.) 

2. Ontology is the science or study of being; relating to the nature of being; existence; what is truth 

3. Epistemology is the study of the theory of knowledge; study of the method and grounds of knowledge; how is truth acquired 

4. Methodology is the study of methods; a body of methods, procedures, rules, postulates, and working concepts employed by a science, art, or discipline; a branch of logic that analyzes the procedures or principles that should guide inquiry into a particular field

B. Philosophical perspectives 
 
1. Post-Positivism 
 
a. Ontology -- there exists an apprehendible, objective reality 

b. Epistemology -- knowing is done in separate foci for the researcher and the participant 

c. Methodology -- clearly defined variables; replicable 
 

2. Interpretive / Constructivism 
 
a. Ontology -- multiple realities that are all equally valid; truth does not equal fact 

b. Epistemology -- researcher and participant are inseparable 

c. Methodology -- unlimited, undefined variables 
 

3. Emancipatory 
 
a. Ontology -- multiple realities that are all equally valid and inextricably entwined with historical events / situations 

b. Epistemology -- researcher and participant interact with each other and within historical, social, economic, gender, race, cultural influences 

c. Methodology -- unlimited, undefined variables, use of participants in the identification of the problem and the design of the study

 

Each student is required to write a paragraph or two and e-mail their work to Dr. Janiak on or before 12:00 a.m., May 20. (Individual Assignment)  
 

  Visualize the Research Process! 

1. For this activity, make sure that you have your assigned grouping. If you don't know your group, first click here to check. Then, if you are not on the list, please call Dr. Janiak s soon as possible.  

2. Based on class discussions, personal experience, prior knowledge and the text, your group nees to create a diagram of the research process.  

Click here to see examples. 

  Submit your group work by faxing it to Dr. Janiak at this number 941-590-7770 on or before 5:00 p.m., May 20. 
 

1. For this activity, make sure that you have your assigned grouping. If you don't know your group, first click here to check. Then, if you are not on the list, please call Dr. Janiak s soon as possible.  

2. Outline Chapter 2 using the format of Chapter 1 outline above. 
 

  Submit your group work by e-mailing to Dr. Janiak on or before 5:00 p.m., May 20.