Chapter 2 : Where to Start
5 sections of empirical research
abstract, intro/literature review, method, results, discussion
informants
are the people who help researchers understand the dynamics of particular cultural and organizational settings
meta-analysis
used statistical procedures to analyze the results of a number of studies and draw statistical conclusions
respondents
who take part in survey research
method subsection 2
described the characteristics of the participants
three basic types of research reports
literature, theory articles, empirical articles
method subsection 1
presents an overview of the design to prepare the reader for the material that follows
literature reviews
provides summaries of previous research on a particular topic
theory articles
summarize and integrate research to provide a new framework for understanding something
abstract
summary of the research report / 150-250 words
introduction
the researcher outlines the problem that has been investigated
discussion
the researcher reviews the research from various perspectives
appendix A
ends with an entire article in manuscript form
prediction
follows directly from a hypothesis / is testable / includes specifics
facilitated communication
intended to help children who are diagnosed with autism
empirical research article
is a report of a study in which data we gathered to help answer a research question
theory
is a systematic body of ideas about a particular topic or phenomenon
hypothesis
is a tentative answer to the research question
what do theories do
organize and explain a variety of specific facts / generate new knowledge
two functions of a theory
1. organize/explain a variety of specific facts 2. generate new knowledge by focusing out thinking so that we notice new aspects of behavior
PsycINFO
is a digital database that maintains abstracts of articles in psychology and related disciplines, indexed by topic areas
how is the hypothesis supported
is a prediction is confirmed by the results of the study
scientific theory
is grounded in actual data from prior research as well as numerous hypotheses that are consistent
research question
is the first and most general step in the research process / must be specific
