Chapter1 - The nature and purpose of research. After reading Chapter 1, you should be able to: Explain the relationship between research and a profession, describe the nature of research, explain the scientific method, understand the various types of research classifi cations and how they are applied.
ous research categories are mutually exclusive Basic Research Purpose is to discover new or fundamental knowledge Practical application is NOT a goal Usually in highly controlled laboratory settings Applied Research Purpose is to find answers to practical problems Practical in nature most common in HHP Inferences or generalizations are made to the intended population Action Research – similar to applied research except in a local setting – very pragmatic and less controlled – no interest in generalizing findings Quantitative Research Positivist paradigm Traditional model of research Hypothesis directed Based on empirical evidence Measured with numbers Analyzed statistically Seeking generalizations Qualitative Research Naturalistic paradigm Descriptive in nature Reliance on qualitative, non-numerical data More subjective approach Variety of methodologies – in depth interviews – direct observation Situational specific … little generalizability Experimental Research The purpose of experimental research is to investigate cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating certain variables to determine their effect on another variable – – – – – – attempts to establish causality manipulation of independent variable control of extraneous variables is vital often uses a control group often uses randomization procedures major limitation is often unnatural environment, thus limiting generalizability Non-Experimental Research Tends to observe, analyze, and describe what exists rather than manipulating the variable under study Lack of control is often cited as a limitation Various types common in HHP – – – – Causal-comparative Descriptive Correlational Historical Casual-Comparative Research Seeks to investigate cause-and-effect relationships similar to experimental research However, researcher cannot manipulate the independent variable because it is something the subject already has – Attribute or organismic variable Gender Ethnicity Medical condition Also called “ex post facto” research Descriptive Research Seeks to describe specific phenomena or characteristics of a particular group of subjects – Answers the question “what is” – No manipulation of an independent variable Wide range of methodologies – – – – Surveys Direct measurement Observation Interviews Correlational Research Seeks to determine whether, and to what extent, a relationship exists between two or more variables – No manipulation of an independent variable – May be descriptive or predictive in nature Cannot establish causality Historical Research Seeks to explore events and information from the past in order to provide a better understanding of the present with implications for the future – Answers the question “what was” Limited to synthesis and interpretation of data that already exists – Primary sources – Secondary sources ... Practical in nature most common in HHP Inferences or generalizations are made to the intended population Action Research – similar to applied research except in a local setting – very pragmatic and. .. generalizability Experimental Research The purpose of experimental research is to investigate cause -and- effect relationships by manipulating certain variables to determine their effect on another... types common in HHP – – – – Causal-comparative Descriptive Correlational Historical Casual-Comparative Research Seeks to investigate cause -and- effect relationships similar to experimental research