Research, off we go... Chapter 1

The summer semester has begun... love this topic...

Chapter I

What research is not? Merely gathering info, finding obscure info or relocating info.

What research is? "... a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information — data — in order to increase our understanding or a phenomenon about which we are interested or concerned. It should convey/indicate "such and such about [topic]."

Formal research:

intentional
set out to enhance our understanding of a phenomenon
expect to communicate what we discover to the larger scientific community

Seven distinct steps:

Problem/Unanswered question, "research question", what, why, meaning?
Articulate the goal of research endeavor
Divide principle problem into manageable subproblems
Identify hypothesis, assumptions that underlie research
Develop specific plan for addressing problem/subproblems
Collect, organize, analyze data related to problem/subproblems
Interpret meaning of data as it relates to problem/subproblems

The 7 step process is iterative and cyclical. Research problems are rarely answered.

Research begets more research.

Philosophy

Two general assumptions:

the phenomenon is somewhat lawful and predictable, not comprised of random events
cause and effect relationships can account for certain patterns observed in the phenomenon

Identify hypotheses/assumptions/biases behind research.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative

Qualitative: involves "characteristics, or qualities that cannot be easily reduced to numerical values."

Quantitative: pure data, numbers, measurements

Mixed Methods includes both.

Research Approaches, from page 4, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, Creswell

NOTE: Postpositivism is most malleable.

Worldviews:

Four Worldviews, from page 7, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, Creswell

Note: According to my 2015 research blog, my worldview, a pragmatic constructivist with transformative tendencies.

Tools of Research

Library/resources
Computer/tech (valid scholarly/academic, NOT Wiki)
Measurement (Nominal/Ordinal scales, etc)
Statistics
Language
Human Mind

Conducting Research

Studies

Parts of a study in which tech can be useful:
Planning
Lit Review
Implementation and Data Gathering
Analysis and Interpretation
Reporting

Statistics

Two principle functions:

Descriptive Statistics - summarizes "general nature" of data, "on average"

Iterative Statistics - help researchers make decisions about data, attributive relevance to topic

Statistics "help the human mind comprehend data as an organized whole."

Four scales of measurement:

Nominal - number as name in data, not a value, no "average"

Ordinal - order or ranking of data

Interval - equal units of measurement, 0 point arbitrary, mean, stand deviation product moment correlation

Ratio - equal units of measurement, absolute 0 point, terms of multiples and fractional parts (ratios)

Note: Statistics = contextualized data

Note: On data it is precision vs. relevance.

Note: Causalities become "correlations" when they are inconvenient.

Language

Words:

Reduce the world's complexity
Allow abstractions of the environment
Enhance the power of thought
Facilitate generalization and inference drawing in new situations.

Terminology/jargon important in communicating within respective fields.

Multiple languages can imbue broader and varied meanings.

"Writing enhances the writer's understanding of the topic."

Understand from writing, don't write from understanding.

Writing to Communicate

Be specific/precise.
Keep primary objective in mind, focus.
Provide overview of upcoming pages.
Organize ideas into categories (headings, subs, etc)
Use concrete examples for abstract ideas to make them understandable.
Use figures/tables to present/organize ideas/findings.
Conclude chapters with summaries.
Anticipate multiple drafts.
Check final draft carefully for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. (credibility)

Formatting is important.

Backup, save/name multiple drafts with distinct file names such as dates, etc.

The Human Mind

Critical thinking: evaluating accuracy, credibility and worth of info or lines of reasoning.

Verbal reasoning: oral/written
Argument reasoning: this vs. that
Probabilistic reasoning: likelihood
Decision making: choose most likely alternative
Hypothesis testing: judge data/research results for quality of methods, samples, conclusions, generalizations.

Logic

Deductive

One or more premises/assumptions taken to be true. See syllogisms.

Inductive

No pre-established truth, but observation.and specific instances/occurrences/samples to draw conclusions.

Sample: "a group of people, objects, or items that are taken from a larger population for measurement." SOURCE

Scientific Method: a) identify problem, b) post hypothesis that, if proven, solves problem, c) gather data, d) analyze/interpret data.

Theory Building: creating/developing "an organized body of concetps and principles that explain a particular phenomenon."

Collaboration with Other Minds

Enter 3-letter word exercise.

Helps to guard against bias, more resources/perspectives, etc.

Advisor/research director/mentor/committees guide dissertations/theses.

Beware of confirmation bias and other logical fallacies when conducting research.

Note: You have to be enthusiastic about the topic, have to be willing to examine and challenge your own thinking and be teachable and malleable in the interpretation of your findings to maintain integrity.