Research Methods

Identifying variables

The definition of a variable

An image, perception or concept that is capable of Measurement, hence capable of taking on different

Values, is called a variable.In other words, a concept that can be measured is

Called a variable.A variable is a property that takes on different valves.

Putting it redundantly, a variable is something that varies.(kerlinger)

A concept that can be measured on any one of the four typesOf measurement scales, which have varying degrees of

Precision in measurement is called a variable.

The difference between concept and a variable

Concept are mental images or perceptions and therefore their meaning vary markedly from individuals to individual, where as variables are measure able, of course with varying degrees of accuracy.

Concepts are subjective impression.

Concepts Variables

•Effectiveness•Satisfaction•Impact•Excellent•High achiever•Self esteem•Rich•Domestic violence•etc

•Gender•Age•Income•Religion•Attitude

Subjective impression Measurable though the degree if precision varies from scale to scale and variable to variableAs such can not be measured

Concepts indicators variables

Concept Indicator Variable Decision level

Rich a) Incomeb) Assets

a) Income per yearb) Total value of assets

if grater than 1000 if grater than 2500

High academic

achievement a) Average marks in exam

b) Average marks in practicalc) Aggregate marks

a) %age of marksb) %age of marksc) %age of marks

if grater than 75%if grater than 75%if grater than 75%

Types of Variables

Study designCausal model Unit of Measurement

Independent variable Intervening Variable Extraneous Variable Dependent variable

Active Variable Attribute Variable

QuantitativeVariable

QualitativeVariable

Continuousvariable

DiscreteVariable

The Definition of a hypothesis

A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relationship between two or more variables (Kerlinger)

A proposition ,condition, or principle which is assumed, perhaps with our belief , in order to draw out its logical consequences and by this method to test its accord with facts which are known or may be determined. (webster)

Tentative statement about some thing , the validity of which is usually unknown Black and champion)

From the definitions it is clear that a hypothesis has certain characteristics1 It is a tentative proposition.2 Its validity is unknown.3 In most cases ,it specifies a relationship between two or more variables.

Functions of hypothesis

Focus Data Enhance objectivity Bridging the gap in the body of knowledge

The characteristics of hypothses

Simple, specific and conceptually clear. Should be capable of measurement. Should be related to the body of knowledge. Should be operationalisable.

Step Conceptualizing a research design

2

The research design

The Definition of research design

The research design is a plan, structure and strategy of investigation so conceived as to obtain answers to research questions or problems. The plan is the complete scheme or program of the research. It includes an outline of what the investigator will do from writing the hypotheses and their operational implications to the final analysis of data. (Kerlinger)

A traditional research design is a blue print or detailed plan for how a research study is to be completed-operationalizing variables so they can be measured, selecting a sample of interest to study, collecting data to be used as basis for testing hypotheses, and analyzing the results. (Thyer)

Factors affecting the relationship between a counseling service and the extend of marital problem

Type of counseling service Study population Extent of

Marital problem

Extraneous variables

•Self realization•Change in economic condition•Change in employment status•Birth of child•Pressure of friends, relatives•Involvement in another relationship

effect

Research design Name the study design Who will constitute Study population How ill study population be identified Will a sample or whole population be selected How will it be contacted What method of data collection will be used and why? Where will be responses be returned? How should responded contact you in case of queries? In case of interview, where will they be conducted

Purpose of the study

•Exploration•Description•Hypothesis testing

Types of investigation

•Causal relation•Correlation•Group difference

Researcher interference

•Minimal•manipulation•simulation

Study setting

Contrived

Non contrived

MeasurementAnd measures

Operational definition•Items•Scaling•Categorizing•coding

Unit of Analysis

•Individuals•Dyads•Groups

•Organization•Machines

Sampling design

•Probability•Non probability•Sample size

Time horizon

•B&A•One shot•Longitudinal

Data collection method

•Interviewing•questionnaire•observation

Prob

lem

stat

emen

t

Details of study Measurement

Data

ana

lysis

The research design

Types of study design

Reference periodNumber ofcontacts

Nature ofinvestigation

cross-sectional studies

Longitudinalstudies

Before and afterstudies

Retrospective prospective

Experimental

Nonexperimental

Sámi experimental

one Three / more Two

Retrospectiveprospective

The experimental study design

The after only study design The before and after design The control design The double control design The comparative design The placebo design

If a relationship is studied starting from the cause to establish the effect.

Involves the researcher to introduce the intervention that is assumed to be the cause of a change, and waiting until it has produced a change

Types Definition