CS 426 2011 Spring
Week 6: Descriptive Research
Presenter : Yubin Li
Professor : Dr. Bamshad Mobasher
5/3/2011
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Outline
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Introduction
Descriptive Research
DR design & Analysis
Discussions
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Introduction to Quantitative Research
 YouTube: introduction to Quantitative Research
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoQ9Zg8Fvf0Time
 Quantitative Vs. Qualitative research
Quantitative
Qualitative
Both are systematic in their approach
Objective
Subjective
Deductive
Inductive
Generalizable
Not generalizable
Numbers
Words
Table 1 : Comparison of features of Quantitative and Qualitative research
Descriptive Research
 Quantitative Research Methodologies:
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Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
Ex Post Facto Research
Survey Research
 Descriptive Vs. Experimental Vs. Ex post facto
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Descriptive (What is the current situation?)
Experimental (What is the cause?)
Ex post facto (What was the possible cause?)
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Outline
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2a
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Introduction
Descriptive Research
DR design & Analysis
Discussions
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Descriptive Research
 What is the Descriptive Research?
This type of research involves either identifying the
characteristics of an observed phenomenon or exploring
possible correlations among two or more. It primarily concerned
with finding out “what is”, solving the problems through the
interoperation of the data that has been gathered, (answering the
questions who, what, where, when and how...)
 Descriptive“ what is the current situation?”
 Numerical data gathered through tests, surveys, observations,
interviews
 variables are not manipulated but are measured as they occur
 Subgroups may be compared on some measure
 Two or more variables of a group may be correlated
 Doesn’t attempt to identify cause of differences or relationships,
just if they exist
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Descriptive Research
 What the Descriptive Research can be used for?
Descriptive studies have an important role in social science
research, such as business, government, public health,
sociology and education research.
 Can be applied to investigate questions such as:
 Do teachers hold favorable attitudes toward using computers in
schools?
 What kinds of activities that involve technology occur in sixthgrade classrooms and how frequently do they occur?
 How have high school computing courses changed over the last
10 years?
 Is there a relationship between experience with multimedia
computers and problem-solving skills?
 What is the best way to provide access to computer equipment
in schools?
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Outline
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2a
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4
Introduction
Descriptive Research
DR design & Analysis
Discussions
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DR design & Analysis
1. Descriptive Research Designs
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Observation Studies
Correlational Research
Developmental Designs
Survey Research
2. Using Checklists and Rating scales
3. Choosing a Sample in a Descriptive Study
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Sampling design
Bias in Research sampling
4. Interpreting Data in Descriptive Research
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DR design & Analysis
1. Descriptive Research Designs – Observation Studies
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In qualitative research: record in great detail
In quantitative research: focus on a particular aspect of
behavior, and try to be as objective as possible
Many strategies to maintain “objective”:
a) define behavior in a precise, concrete manner
b) divide the observation period into small segments…
c) use a rating scale to evaluate behavior
d) Have two/three people rate the same behavior Independently
e) Train the raters
Ultimately, an observational study can yield data that portray much
of the richness and complexity of human behavior.
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DR design & Analysis
1. DR Design - Correlational Research
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Examines the extent to which differences in one characteristic
or variable are related to differences in one or more other
characteristics or variables.
Did you realize that when children grow older, they are better
reader? Age & reading ability -- correlation
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DR design & Analysis
1. DR Designs – Development Design
Cross-sectional study Vs. Longitudinal studies
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Cross-sectional study: people from different ages are sampled
and compared.
Longitudinal study : a single group of people is followed over
the course of several months or years
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DR design & Analysis
1. DR Designs – Survey Research
Involves acquiring information about one or more groups of peoplePerhaps about their characteristics, opinions, attitudes, or previous
experiences, by asking them questions and tabulating their answers.
 Face-to-face and Telephone interviews
 Questionnaires
2. Checking List & Rating Scales
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Checking List : is a list of behaviors, characteristics, or other
entities that a researcher is investigating
Rating scale: is more useful when a behavior, attitude, or other
phenomenon of interest needs to be evaluated.
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DR design & Analysis
3. Choosing a sample in a descriptive study
 Sampling design
a) Probability sampling
Simple random sampling
Stratified random sampling
Proportional stratified sampling
Cluster sampling
Systematic sampling
b) Nonprobability sampling
Convenience sampling
Quota sampling
Purposive sampling
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DR design & Analysis
3. Choosing a sample in a descriptive study
 Bias in Research sampling
Bias is any influence, condition, or set of conditions that singly or
together distort the data
Bias can creep into a research project in a variety of subtle and
undetected ways
Bias attacks the integrity of the facts, the research generalization
may not be accurate.
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DR design & Analysis
4. Interpreting Data in Descriptive research
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Two basic principle
a) seek the answer to a problem in the light of the data that
related to the problem
b) collecting data and organizing data for extracting meaning of
the data is all important.
Decide on a population
Choose sampling technique
Minimize entrance of bias
Develop a valid means
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Collect,
record,
organize
analyze
Outline
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2a
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Introduction
Descriptive Research
DR design & Analysis
Discussions
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CS 426 2011 Spring
4/12/2011
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