Introduction to

Research Methods

July 11, 2005

Dennison S. Bhola,
Ph.D.
8 Step Approach to
Designing a Research Study
 State Research Questions
 Review literature and select
appropriate framework.
 Design research study (to
answer your research questions)
using a quantitative, qualitative
or mixed methodology.
 Select sample (note: your
sampling method determines
who you can generalize your
findings to).
 8 Step Approach to
Designing a Research Study
 Collect data (data can be
qualitative, quantitative or
both).
 Analyze data (using appropriate
techniques).
 Interpret results
 Disseminate findings (write and
present findings in
understandable language).
Research Methods

 Qualitative
 Quantitative

 Mixed methodology
Research Designs

 Experimental
 Quasi- Experimental

 Non- Experimental
Cause-Effect
 In order to establish
cause-effect relationships
it is necessary to use an
experimental design with
appropriate controls and
random assignment of
subjects to treatment and
control conditions.
External Validity
 Cross validation studies are
important for researchers to
show that their results are
replicable.
 When findings are replicated
in new settings the results
are then generalizable to a
broader population (a wider
variety of settings and more
Meta-analysis
 Meta-analysis can be used to
aggregate the findings from
several studies that address
the same research question.
 When the findings from many
studies are meta-analyzed the
information produced is often
used to create theoretical
frameworks and models.
Statistical approaches
to model development
 Many modern statistical
techniques can be used to
test models and build
upon them.
 Such techniques include
structural equations
modeling, latent class
modeling and hierarchical
 To Do List
 In order to do an appropriate
research design one must
carefully formulate a research
question.
 To answer your research
question, you will need to
choose an appropriate research
method or combination of
methods, and then do
What’s appropriate for
you?

 Your question, context and

available resources
determine what’s most
appropriate and practical
for you.
 Summary—8 steps
 State Research Questions
 Review literature and select appropriate
framework.
 Design Research study using a quantitative,
qualitative or mixed methodology.
 Select sample (your sampling method determines
who you can generalize your findings to).
 Collect data (data can be qualitative, quantitative
or both).
 Analyze data (using appropriate techniques).
 Interpret results
 Disseminate findings (write and present findings
in understandable language).