Say Hello to Research!
Chapter 1. The Role and Importance of Research
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
The purpose of this chapter is to provide students with a basic introduction to the field of
research by describing the scientific method and the types of research designs most often
employed in the social and behavioral sciences. The overall goal is to provide an overview
to help students identify what research is and isn’t, what the purpose of research is and
some of the different ways to carry it out.
OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this chapter, students should be able to:
Define basic terms including research, theory, and hypothesis.
List eight (8) characteristics of high-quality research.
Summarize the eight (8) steps in the scientific method.
Describe the difference between experimental and nonexperimental research.
List and describe in basic terms the three (3) different types of research designs
that can be categorized as nonexperimental.
List and describe in basic terms the two (2) types of research designs classified
as experimental research.
, Distinguish between basic research and applied research.
Explain why a strong scientific method of inquiry will lead to valuable
information regardless of significant or nonsignificant findings.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. Say Hello to Research!
II. What Research Is and What It Isn’t
A. Research is a process through which new knowledge is discovered
B. High quality research is:
1) Based on the work of others
2) Able to be replicated
3) Able to be generalized
4) Based on logical rationale and theory
5) Generates new questions
6) An incremental process
7) Undertaken to benefit society
8) Based on a hypothesis that is DOABLE!
III. A Model of Scientific Inquiry
, A. Asking the question
B. Identifying the important factors
C. Formulating your hypothesis
D. Collecting relevant information or data
E. Testing (NOT proving) your hypothesis
F. Working with your hypothesis
1) Remember “a well-run study always provides valuable
information”
G. Reconsidering the theory
H. Asking new questions
IV. Different Types of Research
A. Nonexperimental
1) Descriptive
2) Historical
3) Correlational
4) Qualitative
B. Experimental
1) True experimental
2) Quasi-experimental
, C. What scientific method to use when?
D. Applied versus Basic Research
SAMPLE STUDY GUIDE
IMPORTANT TERMS
1. Theory
2. Research
3. Scientific Method
4. Hypothesis
5. Chance
6. Nonexperimental Research
7. Descriptive Research
8. Qualitative Research
9. Correlational Research
10. Experimental Research
11. Quasi-experimental Research
12. Basic Research
13. Applied Research
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
1. List and discuss eight attributes of high quality research.
2. Why do we use the Scientific Method?
Chapter 1. The Role and Importance of Research
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
The purpose of this chapter is to provide students with a basic introduction to the field of
research by describing the scientific method and the types of research designs most often
employed in the social and behavioral sciences. The overall goal is to provide an overview
to help students identify what research is and isn’t, what the purpose of research is and
some of the different ways to carry it out.
OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this chapter, students should be able to:
Define basic terms including research, theory, and hypothesis.
List eight (8) characteristics of high-quality research.
Summarize the eight (8) steps in the scientific method.
Describe the difference between experimental and nonexperimental research.
List and describe in basic terms the three (3) different types of research designs
that can be categorized as nonexperimental.
List and describe in basic terms the two (2) types of research designs classified
as experimental research.
, Distinguish between basic research and applied research.
Explain why a strong scientific method of inquiry will lead to valuable
information regardless of significant or nonsignificant findings.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. Say Hello to Research!
II. What Research Is and What It Isn’t
A. Research is a process through which new knowledge is discovered
B. High quality research is:
1) Based on the work of others
2) Able to be replicated
3) Able to be generalized
4) Based on logical rationale and theory
5) Generates new questions
6) An incremental process
7) Undertaken to benefit society
8) Based on a hypothesis that is DOABLE!
III. A Model of Scientific Inquiry
, A. Asking the question
B. Identifying the important factors
C. Formulating your hypothesis
D. Collecting relevant information or data
E. Testing (NOT proving) your hypothesis
F. Working with your hypothesis
1) Remember “a well-run study always provides valuable
information”
G. Reconsidering the theory
H. Asking new questions
IV. Different Types of Research
A. Nonexperimental
1) Descriptive
2) Historical
3) Correlational
4) Qualitative
B. Experimental
1) True experimental
2) Quasi-experimental
, C. What scientific method to use when?
D. Applied versus Basic Research
SAMPLE STUDY GUIDE
IMPORTANT TERMS
1. Theory
2. Research
3. Scientific Method
4. Hypothesis
5. Chance
6. Nonexperimental Research
7. Descriptive Research
8. Qualitative Research
9. Correlational Research
10. Experimental Research
11. Quasi-experimental Research
12. Basic Research
13. Applied Research
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
1. List and discuss eight attributes of high quality research.
2. Why do we use the Scientific Method?
