Basic
Concepts of Quantitative Research
Dr. R. Ouyang
Introduction
v Selection
and definition of a problem
§ Research statement: A well-written statement of a problem includes 1) variables of interest to the researcher, 2) specific relationship between those variables, and 3) type of subjects involved. It should be researchable; it has theoretical and practical significance.
v Literature
review
§ It involves the systematic identification, location, and analysis of documents containing information related to the research problem.
§
Why should we conduct a literature review? It helps
researcher become familiar with previous research facilitates the process of
identifying research problems, research strategies, and measuring
instruments. It also facilitates the
interpretation of the results of your study.
v Statement
of a hypothesis
§ A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for certain behaviors, phenomena, or events that have occurred or will occur. It states the researchers' expectations concerning the relationship between the variables in the research problem; it is a most specific statement of a problem.
§ Characteristics of a hypothesis: 1) sound rationale, 2) clear relationship, and 3) testable.
¨ A research hypothesis should be based on a sound rationale, that is, it should provide a reasonable explanation.
¨ A good hypothesis states as clearly and concisely as possible the expected relationship (or differences ) between two variables and defines those variables in operational, measurable terms.
¨ A well-stated and defined hypothesis must be testable.
§ Types of hypothesis: 1) nondirectional, 2) directional, and 3) null
¨ Nondirectional: There is a significant difference in the achievement of 5th-grade math students who are instructed using interactive multimedia and those who receive regular instruction only.
¨ Directional: Fifth-grade math students who are instructed using interactive multimedia achieve at a higher level than those who receive regular instruction only.
¨ Null: There is no difference in the achievement level of 5th-grade math students who are instructed using interactive multimedia and those who receive regular instruction.
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Reference:
Gay, L. R. (1996). Educational research: Competencies for analysis and application. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.