Review: Research Designs and Methods

Research Structure and Design

• Overall structure of research is typically referred to as "research design."
• Descriptive research design focuses on providing a detailed description of a study or topic.

Research Methods and Focus

• Research methods concentrate on the procedures and techniques used to collect and analyze data.
• Experimental research is primarily focused on determining causal relationships through manipulation of variables.

Grouping in Research Designs

• In quasi-experimental research design, research subjects are grouped based on pre-existing characteristics or events.

Planning and Expectations

• The research proposal outlines the type of study planned and the expected results.

Focus of Survey Research

• Main focus of survey research design is to gather information from a sample to understand broader population opinions, behaviors, or characteristics.

Correlational Research Usefulness

• Correlational research design is most useful when examining relationships between two or more variables without implying causation.

Observational Research Distinction

• Observational research design is characterized by the researcher observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.

Comparative Research Utility

• Comparative research design is useful in studies that seek to evaluate differences between two or more groups.

Developmental Research Applications

• Developmental research design is typically used in studies assessing changes over time, such as longitudinal studies.

Evaluation Research Characteristics

• Evaluation research design focuses on assessing the effectiveness or outcomes of programs, policies, or interventions.

Pre-Experimental Research Features

• Main characteristic of pre-experimental research design is the absence of random assignment to groups, which limits the ability to draw causal inferences.

True-Experimental Research Distinctions

• True-experimental research design is distinguished by the use of random assignment to treatment and control groups, enhancing the validity of causal conclusions.

Posttest-Only Control Group Design

• Posttest-only control group design is characterized by measuring the outcome after the intervention has been applied, without a pretest measure.

Factorial Design Distinction

• Factorial design is distinguished by the examination of multiple factors simultaneously to observe their individual and interactive effects on the outcome.