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Research Design and Methods: A Process Approach, Fifth Edition Book Cover

Research Design and Methods: A Process Approach, 5/e

Kenneth S. Bordens, Indiana University/Purdue University - Fort Wayne
Bruce Barrington Abbott, Indiana University/Purdue University

Chapter 2 Outline

Sources of Research Ideas
       Unsystematic observation
       Systematic observation
               Theory
               The Need to Solve Practical Problems
Developing Good Research Questions
       Asking Answerable Questions
       Asking the Right Questions
       Asking Important Questions
What Is a Theory?
       Theory Versus Hypothesis
       Theory Versus Law
       Theory Versus Model
       Computer Modeling
       Mechanistic Versus Functional Explanations
Types of Theory
       Quantitative Versus Qualitative Theory
               Quantitative Theory
               Qualitative Theory
       Level of Description
               Descriptive Theories
               Analogical Theories
               Fundamental Theories
       Domain of a Theory
Roles of Theory in Science
       Understanding
       Prediction
       Organizing and Interpreting Research Results
       Generating Research
Characteristics of a Good Theory
       Ability to Account for Data
       Explanatory Relevance
       Testability
       Prediction of Novel Events
       Parsimony
Developing Theories
       Step 1:   Defining the Scope of Your Theory
       Step 2:   Knowing the Literature
       Step 3:   Formulating Your Theory
               Preparedness
               Using Analogy
               Using Introspection
       Step 4:   Establishing Predictive Validity
       Step 5:   Testing Your Theory Empirically
Confirmation and Disconfirmation of Theories
       Confirmation of Theories
       Disconfirmation of Theories
       Strategies for Testing Theories
               Strong Inference
               Following a Confirmational Strategy
               Following a Disconfirmational Strategy
               Using Confirmational and Disconfirmational Strategies Together
Theory-Driven Versus Data-Driven Research
Summary
Key Terms

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