Introduction to Research Methods

KNR 497FoundationsSlide 1Introduction to research methods2: Foundations continued1

Types of relationshipsTheir natureCorrelation and CausalityMediation/ModerationPatterns of relationshipsNone/positive/negative/curvilinear

3KNR 497FoundationsSlide 2Foundations of research1

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1KNR 497FoundationsSlide 3Figure 1-1 Four Types of Possible Relationships

...and no relationship, of course41KNR 497FoundationsSlide 4Foundations of researchHypothesesA specific statement of predictionInductive vs. deductive researchDeductive has em, inductive often doesntTypesAlternative vs. nullOne-tailed vs. two-tailedHypothetical-deductive model2 mutually exclusive statements (null, alternative)Tests designed to specify which can be rejected and which cannot

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KNR 497FoundationsSlide 5Foundations of researchTypes of dataQualitative vs. quantitativeMore a case of philosophical difference than numerical difference (in the better debates, at least)The unit of analysisGroup vs. Individual vs. Artifact vs. Geographical unit vs. Social interactionHierarchical modeling2

KNR 497FoundationsSlide 6Foundations of researchRationale of researchStructure of researchSee figure 1.4 (next slide)1

KNR 497FoundationsSlide 7Figure 1-4 The Hourglass Metaphor for the Research Process1

1KNR 497FoundationsSlide 8Foundations of researchStructure of researchComponents of a studyResearch ProblemResearch QuestionThe treatment (or program/event the purported cause)The sample (the unit)The outcome (purported effect of treatment)The design

KNR 497FoundationsSlide 9Foundations of researchDeduction vs. induction (see next 2 slides)KNR 497FoundationsSlide 10Deductive Reasoning (example)1

KNR 497FoundationsSlide 11Inductive Reasoning (example)1

1KNR 497FoundationsSlide 12Foundations of researchFallaciesA variety of errors of either logic or premise strength that can result in weak arguments being formed.Beyond the remit of this course, but very important nonetheless for good research papersExamples:Ecological fallacy: Mistaken conclusions about an individual based on analysis of group dataException fallacy: Reaching a group conclusion on the basis of exceptional cases (e.g., racism)