lecture 6-descriptive research design

Rida Wahyuningrum

English Department

Wijaya Kusuma University

Surabaya

A Delivery on the Course of

Research on ELT I

The best method for collecting information to demonstrate relationships and describe the world as it exists and are often done before an experiment to

know what specific things to manipulate and include in an experiment.

It answers “what is” and “what was” the nature of a situation as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the causes of particular phenomena through

the collection of census data.

It is useful when it is impossible to test and measure the large population which is the subject of quantitative types of experimentation.

• Descriptive research may be more analytic. It often focuses on a particular variable or factor.

• Low on the "control or manipulation of research context" scale. It is non-intrusive and deals with naturally occurring phenomena.

• The answer in a descriptive research can no way be definitive.

Set to seek out accurate information and adequate descriptions of activities, objects, processes and persons.

Describes what exists and may help to uncover new facts and meaning.

This approach is used to describe variables rather than to test a predicted relationship between variables.

Devoted to the gathering of information about prevailing conditions or situations for the purpose of description and interpretation.

Provides a knowledge base which can be a springboard for other types of quantitative research methods because it maps the terrain of a specific phenomenon.

Contributes in the formation of principles and generalization in behavioralsciences

Contributes in the establishment of standard norms of conduct, behavior, or performance.

Reveals problems or abnormal conditions ; and if correctly interpreted, the data gathered can provide useful insight which may lead to hypothe-sis – formation.

1.Observational Method2.Case Study Method3.Causal-Comparative4.Correlational Method5.Developmental Studies6.Survey Method

Gives researchers the opportunity to use both quantitative and qualitative data in order to find data and characteristics about the population or phenomenon that is being studied.

The data collection for descriptive research presents a number of advantages as it can provide a very multifaceted approach. Data can include case studies, observation or surveys and give several angles on the information.

Confidentiality is the primary weakness of descriptive research. Often subjects are not truthful as they feel the need to tell the researcher what they think the researcher wants to hear.

Descriptive research also presents the possibility for error and subjectivity. For example, when a researcher designs a questionnaire, questions are predetermined and prescriptive. Furthermore, the study may contain errors, as the researcher may record what she wants to hear and ignore data that does not conform to the research project's hypothesis.

1. Define a research problem

2. Write a research question

3. Review literature and select a sample

6. Report conclusions

5. Analyse data

4. Select instruments and collect data

Rida Wahyuningrum

English Department

Wijaya Kusuma University

Surabaya