Ch. 2: WHERE TO START

Idea outline

Idea to hypothesis; design study to conduct study; analyze data to interpret results; report results to refine hypothesis = new knowledge. REPEAT.

Intro

Outlines problems investigated; goes into past research and theories; formal hypotheses or specific expectations of the present research are introduced and connected to past research.

Prediction

a statement that makes an assertion concerning what will occur in a particular research investigation

Hypothesis

a tentative question waiting for evidence to support or refute it

Anatomy of research article

abstract, intro, method, results, discussion

Supported/unsupported

hypothesis

Confirmed/Disconfirmed

predictions

Discussion

review research from various perspectives; explain how the results compare with past results; including suggestions for practical implications; including suggestions for future research on the topic; present methodolical weaknesses and or strengths.

Method

subsections depend upon the complexity of design: overview of design, characteristics of participants, procedure, equipment or testing materials. PRECISE

Abstract

summary of research report; 120 words or less; includes hypothesis, procedure, and broad pattern of results; typically last part written

Theories

systematic body of ideas that: organize and explain, generate new knowledge, can be modified by new research

Source of ideas

Common sense; observations of personal and social event; theories; past research; practical problems

Results

findings presented three ways: description in narrative form; description in stats language; material in table or graph

Learning objectives

Discuss how a hypothesis differs from a prediction; Describe the different sources of ideas for research; Identify the two functions of a theory; Summarize the information included in the abstract, introduction, method, results, and discussion sections of research articles