Research Design & Conceptual Design Flashcards
(37 cards)
Definition of research question
A research question is a question around which the focus of research revolves.
The goal of a research question is to guide the research project and to help
construct a logical argument
The research topic must be determined beforehand and should
- correspond to personal interests
- be relevant, up-to-date and not overly studied
Comparative question
Attempts to examine the difference between two or more groups in terms
of key variables
Causal question
Compares two or more variables and examines the existence of a causal
relationship
Descriptive question
Aims to describe a phenomenon and often uses “how” questions
A good research question is
- clear
- concise
- exclusive
- focused
- unambiguous
- ethical
–> It should provide suggestions, arguments or solutions on a specific topic and thus make a concrete contribution to a scientific debate
Finding a good research question
- A good strategy is to look for a
research gap - This gap usually refers to the explanation for answering the research question
- Research questions are often the result
of limitations in existing research - Checking the “limitations” or “future
research” sections of an article may be
helpful
–> Narrow down topic –> Develop research question –> Define specific focus
Research gap and state of knowledge in the literature
- Research on your specific questions/topic
- Research on your general topic
- Research in your field broadly
- Questions that haven’t yet been answered or research that needs to be done –> research gap (page 11)
Keywords for research questions
- Properties Features
- Opportunities Risks Borders
- Species Characteristics Types
- Sucess / influence factor
- Requests Requirements
- Conclusions / Consequences
- Advantages / Disavantages
- Comparisons Motives Goals
- Determinants/ Dimensions
- Conditions criteria
Hypotheses
Hypotheses are formulated on the basis of theories and can be tested by empirical research
Different types of hypotheses
- Null hypothesis vs. alternative hypothesis
- Directed vs. non-directed hypothesis
- Specific vs. non-specific hypothesis
Characteristics of hypotheses
- It is used when there is already extensive knowledge on a particular topic.
- It refers to real facts that can be empirically tested.
- It is usually a valid statement that goes beyond individual cases or singular
events. - It is prognostic by nature.
- It should include the chosen variables as well as the predicted relationship between these variables.
- It is formulated as a statement (not a question) and should be derived
before data collection. - Data are collected and analyzed to support or reject a hypothesis and
thus to arrive at a conclusion
Hypothesis: details characteristic
- A hypothesis is a proposed explanation
for a phenomenon based on limited
evidence - Not scientifically tested or proven
- Based on a limited amount of data
- May lead to a theory
Theory
- A theory is an idea or a collection of
ideas that is used to explain facts or
events - Scientifically tested or proven
- Based on a variety of data
- Can be formulated with the help of a
hypothesis.
Features of theories
- model for an observation that influences both what we see and how we see it
- extensive knowledge on a particular topic
- theory is a generalized statement that asserts a connection between two or more phenomena
- gets stronger as more supporting evidence is gathered, and it thus provides context
for predictions - theories can generate new research, and they increase the awareness of connections and the broader meaning of data
Methods for gaining knowledge
- Deduction
- Induction
- Abduction
Deduction
Logic : In a deductive inference, the
inference must also be true if the presuppositions are true
General validity : Generalization from the general to the specific
Data usage : Data collection is used to evaluate proposals or hypotheses related to an existing theory
Theory : Theoretical falsification or verification
Induction
Logic : In an inductive conclusion, known
premises are used to generate untested statements
General validity : Generalization from the specific to the general
Data usage : Data collection is used to explore a
phenomenon, identify themes and patterns, and create a conceptual framework
Theory : Theory development and construction
Abduction
Logic : In an abductive conclusion, known premises are used to produce testable result
General validity : Generalization from the connections between the specific and the general
Data usage: Data collection is used to explore a phenomenon, identify themes and patterns, locate them within a conceptual framework, and test them through subsequent data collection, and so on
Theory: Theory formation or modification; where appropriate, incorporating existing theories in order to build new theories or modify existing theories
The conceptual model
- Reproduction of the causal relationship
between variables - If necessary, integration of the hypotheses
- Consider the degree of complexity
Variable types (2 types)
- Moderator
- Mediator
Mediator
explains the process or mechanism through which the independent variable (IV) influences the dependent variable (DV)
–> helps to understand how or why a relationship exists
Moderator
influences the strength or direction of the relationship between the IV and the DV
–> what conditions or for whom the IV has more or less effect on the DV. Moderation changes the effect, making it stronger, weaker, or even reversing it.
Objectives of a literature review
- Providing a context for one’s own research
- Identification of gaps in the literature
- Find other people who work in the field
- Showing relationships between previous studies and theories
- Determination of what information is already available in the research area
- Identification of significant work
- Identification of the most important methods and research techniques
- Identification of key conclusions and theories, as well as identification of similarities and differences
- Providing a context for one’s own research
