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- An Overview of Methods |
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- Research Design |
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| - Surveys |
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| - Project: Op: Concepts to Variables |
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| - Project: Writing the Master Survey |
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1. Selecting a Topic: Finding the topic is the first step in research design |
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2. Formulate the Thesis |
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3. Choose the Types of Analyses |
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4. Research & Write a Literature Review & Refine the Thesis |
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5. Formulate Research Objectives ( ROs ) from the Types of Analysis ( TOA ) |
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6. Conceptualization of the topic |
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7. Choose the methodology / the Research Instrument |
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8. Operationalization is the development of specific research procedures (operations) such as survey questions, experimental protocol, interview schedules, observation protocol, etc., that result in empirical observation representing those concepts in real world |
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Operationalization is inseparable from actual data collection |
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Operationalization is an Iterative process |
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There are THREE steps in operationalization:
a. Formulating Concepts into Variables b. Formulating Variables into Measures c. Formulate Instruments for the Measures Each of these steps is considered below |
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Thus, Operationalization is the writing of
- Survey Questions - Interview questions - Observation criteria etc., see Research Instruments |
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a. Formulating Concepts into Variables |
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Define Variables that will measure your Concepts |
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The researcher breaks down Concepts into Variables which the researcher believes they can measure |
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Abstract concepts must be broken down into variables that can be measured in the real world |
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The Research must determine the variables that make up abstract concepts |
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What attributes of the real world make up a concept? |
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THREE questions should be considered in Formulating Variables |
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i. What range of variation should be considered? |
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ii. What levels of measurement should be used? |
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iii. Should one indicator or many be used? |
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Example of Formulating Variables |
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Thesis:
Workers are more alienated in manufacturing work than in craft work Concepts: Workers, Alienation, Manufacturing Work, Craft Work Variables: ( Background [demographics], Activities, Knowledge, Sentiments [ opinions, values, attitudes, feelings, etc.] ) Worker: Demographic: listed as worker by DOL Classification of Occupations Activity: Is paid for labor Alienation: Sentiment: depressed, likes work, feels isolated Activity: drinks heavily, drugs, abuse, etc. |
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In-Class Assignment: Formulating Concepts into Variables |
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b. Formulating Variables into Measures |
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Define measures for the variables |
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Variables must be defined so they can be Measured by a Research Instrument ( survey, observation, interview, content analysis, etc. ) |
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Measures are the units of analysis based on the attributes of the variables |
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Example of Variables being defined so they can be Measured |
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Worker:
Aggregate Data Analysis: DOL classifications Alienation: None, Mild depression, Clinical ( or other APA range ) Doesn't drink, weekly, daily, all day |
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c. Formulate Instruments for the Measures |
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Measures must be formulated into the Research Instrument, i.e., actual research questions: |
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The Researcher must finalize the type of methods they use
- Survey questions - Interview questions - Observation: Behavior to observe - Aggregate Data Analysis: Items to count in raw data |
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Keep in mind data loss:
- Which method will give the researcher the most info on the topic? - High levels of data loss can invalidate the method |
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Example of Formulating Instruments for the Measures |
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c. Measures into Instruments
Worker: Which DOL classifications count as workers to be researched? Do you earn a wage or salary? Where do you work Alienation I feel bad never rarely sometimes frequently all the time |
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Example of Topic to Concept to Variables to Measures to Instruments: Wildland Firefighting |
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Example of Topic to Concept to Variables to Measures to Instruments: Women & Men |
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Validity & Reliability & Relevance |
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Validity: Do the concepts, variables, measures, & instruments determine what they should? |
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Reliability: Do the concepts, variables, measures, & instruments determine what they should for all ( most ) subjects? |
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Relevance: Do the concepts, variables, measures, & instruments support or fail to support the thesis? |
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After I complete my survey on safety & authority or compassion, can I answer the thesis one way or another? |
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As the researcher carries out the research design process, she/he must be continually check to ensure validity & reliability & relevance |
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More than one research project has been derailed by Instruments ( survey or interviews ) that do not address the concerns of the thesis |
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Research Design: forward or reverse? |
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The process presented here has looked at research from the beginning of choosing the topic to the end of writing actual research questions |
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This has been a deductive process |
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But the RD process also works in reverse! |
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& in practice, the RD process is rarely a completely one way endeavor |
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Induction: The Long Way Around |
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Instruments to Thesis: Induction |
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One may find it easier to begin w/ interesting research questions & then work back by designing the measures, variables, concepts, thesis |
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Or work back to only part way |
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Start w/ a thesis |
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Brainstorm on questions |
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Then double check to ensure validity, reliability, & relevance by ensuring that all concepts, variables & measures are covered |
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9. Formulate the Data Collection Strategy |
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10. Obtain HIC Approval |
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11. Perform a Pilot Study: the Senior Project is a Pilot Study & so no addition study will be required |
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12. Collect Data utilizing efficient, effective & ethical methodological practices |
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13. Prepare the Data for processing & analysis |
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14. Process & Analyze Data |
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15. Interpret & make Inferences about Data |
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16. Write the Final Report |
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17. Write Final HIC Report |
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Thesis: This paper examines the relationship btwn the lower-level authority & safety for wildland firefighters by exploring the socio-historical development, & the social causes & effects of safety in the workplace & addressing the SWOTs to current safety initiatives, advocating that safety could be enhanced by allowing lower-level firefighters greater authority in the workplace. What are the concepts? variables? measures? instruments?
Concepts:
Variables:
Measures
Instruments
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Thesis: Women are more compassionate than men What are the concepts? variables? measures? instruments? What can be see that demonstrates this one way or the other? ( Note we can observe it, ask survey/interview questions, etc. ) Concepts:
Variables:
Measurement:
Instruments:
Pity
_____ homelessness
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