BHV 390
Research Design
Purpose, Goals and Time
Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D.
Dimensions of Research
• Purposes of research studies
Exploratory research and Descriptive Research
Explanatory research
• Uses of Research
Basic and Applied Research
Evaluation Research
• Time dimension in research
Cross Sectional Research
Longitudinal
Trend/Time Series
Panel
Cohort
Basic and Applied Research
• Basic research is detached,
scientific, and academically
oriented.
• Applied research is pragmatic,
problem solving and reform
oriented.
Basic Research
• The goal is to contribute to basic or
theoretical knowledge.
• Problems and subjects are selected with a
focus on the next logical step in
understanding an issue.
• The research is judged by absolute
standards.
• Internal logic and rigor are key to
research.
• Success comes via publication in scholarly
journals.
Basic Research Features
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It is largely university-based.
It’s goal is knowledge-building.
It normally involves theory testing.
It prefers experiments.
It often requires long-term studies.
Applied Research
• Research is part of a job, and is judged by
sponsors or outsiders.
• The problems and subjects studied are narrowly
constrained.
• The research standards depend on the results.
• Generalizing results for sponsors is key to
applied research.
• The goal is to develop practical payoffs or results.
• Success is defined by results that can used by
the sponsors and others.
Types of Applied Research
• Evaluation research – to assess
results
• Social impact studies – to inform
policy
• Action research – to change a
situation
The Three Purposes of Research
• Exploratory research investigates issues
or populations for which little is known.
• Descriptive research provides detailed
information about the nature of issues,
individuals or populations.
• Explanatory research investigates the
relationship between two or more
variables.
Goals of Exploratory Research
• Gather basic information about the nature of an
issue, individual, population or setting.
• Formulate and focus questions about an issue,
individual, population or setting.
• Determine what kinds of information should be
collected to better understand the issue,
individual, population or setting
• Decide what can be measured or described
within the setting.
• Develop research questions about the issue,
individual, population or setting.
Goals of Descriptive Research
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Provide a detailed, accurate picture.
Locate new data.
Create a set of categories.
Clarify the sequence of steps.
Document causal processes.
Report background and context.
Goals of Explanatory Research
• Test a theory’s predictions.
• Elaborate or enrich the theory by testing new
hypotheses or replicating tests of existing
hypotheses.
• Extend the theory to new issues by testing
new hypotheses .
• Support or refute hypotheses or explanations.
• Link causes with general principles.
• Determine which explanations work best.
Time Dimension in Research
• Cross Sectional research is like a
snapshot; gathering data at one point in
time.
• Longitudinal research, analogous to a
movie or video; investigations gather data
at multiple points in time.
Longitudinal Designs
• Trend or Time Series Studies are
multiple studies of different samples over
some period of time (e.g.: opinion
surveys).
• Cohort research involves multiple studies
of different samples of similar categories
or groups (e.g. students entering college
this year).
• Panel research involves multiple studies
of the same sample over an extended
period of time.
Other Factors in Research Design
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Emic Vs. Etic Data
Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Data
Discrete Vs. Continuous Data
Association Vs. Cause and Effect
Validity
Reliability