Analyzing the data

  Collecting procedures; observations, interviews, records, diares, documents, etc. (oral and written)

The information must be identified, delimited and sort only the relevant segments of the evidence. It is important to identify the regularities and patterns of the collected data. Some techniques;

a)      Deriving a set of categories for dealing with text segments from the text itself. Inductive, descriptive and exploratory.

b)      An ordering system of categories already exists at the beginning of the process and the researches applies this system to the data.

-          Descriptive research analysis

The data is generally analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics: frequencies, central tendencies and variabilites

-          Correlational research analysis

Correlation techniques are used for analyzing data obtained from descriptive research which examines existing relationships between variables, with no manipulation. Specific formulas are used.

-          Multiple research analysis

It is done with a set of techniques where a number of dependent variables and one or a number of independent variables are analyzed simultaneously (multiple regression, discriminant analysis and factor analysis)

Research Question

Research Question

v  You have an expectation of the answer (base on previous research)

v  ‘Hypothesis-testing’ or ‘confirmatory research’

v  Past research gives conflicting results

v  Current theories suggest opposite conclusions

v  There genuinely is no past research or theory bearing on this, even remotely

v  You have simply omitted to find or read the relevant background

v  Ethnographic research involves RQs rather than RHs because it goes along.

v  New RQs; add an element in a classical project by including in the Method opportunities to gather data not just related to the prestated RQs and RHs, but with the potential to ‘find’ new RQs.

Chapter 2.- Variables Brown

“A variable is something that may vary, or differ.” A variable is something that may change over time or differ among individuals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Some variables differ both over time and among individuals include language proficiency, motivation, self-esteem, and health. Some variables that only vary among the individuals are sex, nationality, first-language background, intelligence, and language ability.

Variables versus constructs

Variables and constructs vary over time or among individuals. A variable is essentially what we can observe or quantify of the human characteristic or abilities involved, whereas a construct is the actual characteristics or abilities that it represents in human beings.

Operationalization

It is related to the opportunity where the researcher explains how each variable is being defined with respect to the construct in question. Moreover, an operational definition must be unique, or exclusive; the definition must not also fit other possible constructs. The construct is an abstraction and is not directly observable because it has no tangible referent in reality.

Different type of Variables

Dependent variable

Is observed to determine what effect, if any, the other types of variables may have on it. The dependent variable can’t be identified in isolation. It makes sense only in the context of the other variables in the study.

Independent variable

This type of variable is selected by the researcher to determine their effect on relationship with the dependent variable.

Moderator

This is a special type of independent variable that the investigator has chosen to determine how, if at all, the relationship between the independent and dependent variables is affected, or modified, by the moderator variable.

Control

The researcher has chosen to keep constant neutralize or otherwise eliminate so that they will not have an effect on the study.

Research Design

Qualitative;

• -          Heuristic
• -          No Manipulation
• -          Try to avoid question and hypothesis
• -          Takes into account the participants opinion
• -          Can be Synthetic or Holistic

Experimental;                  

• -          Takes into account the social context
• -          Manipulation and control
• -          Analytic

Descriptive;

• -          Heuristic or Deductive
• -          Quantitative
• -          No Manipulation

Research Design; Experimental Research

Categories

- Single Group; a single treatment is given to a single group or individual which is observed, tested and measured.

- Factorial Designs; the effects of several independent variables may be treated at the same time

- Control Group; Static group or pre experimental designs.

- Quasi; it is complicated to control many of the variables and the subjects can’t be assigned to specific groups for the purposes of the research.

Components of the Experimental Research

 - Population; the study of the effects of specified and controlled treatments given to subjects usually formed into groups

-  Treatment; anything done to the groups with the porpuse to measure the effects.

- Measurenment of the effects; how to evaluate the effects that were observed in the treatment.