Introduction to the Process of

Research

Power Point Slides by Ronald J. Shope in collaboration with John W. Creswell

1. Research is

A process of steps used to collect and

analyze information to increase our
understanding of a topic or issue. The
general steps:
1. Pose a question.
2. Collect data to answer the question.
3. Present an answer to the question.

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

2. Research is importance because:

1.
2.
3.
4.

It adds knowledge about educational issues

It helps improve practice
It informs policy debates
It builds student research skills:
Organizational skills
Analytical skills
Writing skills
Presentation skills
Educational Research 2e: Creswell

3. The steps in conducting research:

Identify the
Research Problem

Evaluate Data
and
Write Report

Review the
Literature

Analyze and
Interpret
Data

Collect Data

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Specify a
Research
Purpose

Specifying a purpose for

research
The purpose for research consists of
identifying the major intent or objective
for study and narrowing it into specific
research questions or hypotheses.

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Collecting data
Identifying and selecting individuals for
a study
Obtaining their permission to study
them and gathering information by
asking people questions or observing
their behaviors

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Analyze and interpreting the

data
Analyzing and interpreting the data involves
drawing conclusions about it; representing it
in tables, gures, and pictures to summarize
it; and explaining the conclusions in words to
provide answers to your research questions.
You report analysis and interpretation in
sections of
a research report usually titled Results,
Findings, or Discussions.
Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Reporting and evaluating

research

Reporting research involves deciding on audiences,

structuring the report in a format acceptable to these
audiences, and then writing the report in a manner
that is sensitive to all readers. The audiences for
research will vary from academic researchers who
contribute and read journal articles, to faculty
advisors and committees that review masters theses
and dissertations, to personnel in educational
agencies and school districts and etc.
Evaluating research involves assessing the quality of
a study using standards advanced by individuals in
education.
Educational Research 2e: Creswell

6. Skills needed for research

Curiosity to solve puzzles

Lengthen your attention span
Using the library and computer
resources
Writing and editing

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Definitions of Qualitative and

Quantitative Research
Quantitative Research
A type of educational
research in which the
researcher decides what to
study, asks specific, narrow
questions, collects numeric
(numbered) data from
participants, analyzes these
numbers using statistics, and
conducts the inquiry in an
unbiased, objective manner.
Quantitative: Deslandes, R., & Bertrand, R.
(2005). Motivation of parent involvement in
secondary-level schooling. Journal of
Educational Research, 98(3), 164175.

Qualitative Research
A type of educational research in
which the researcher relies on
the views of participants, asks
broad, general questions,
collects data consisting largely of
words (or text) from participants,
describes and analyzes these
words for themes, and conducts
the inquiry in a subjective, biased
manner.
Qualitative: Shelden, D. L., Angell, M. E., Stoner,
J. B., & Roseland, B. D. (2010). School
principals in uence on trust: Perspectives of
mothers of children with disabilities. Journal of
Educational Research, 103, 159170.

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Comparison of Qualitative
Methods of Research
Theoretical

qualitative

Quantitative

Nature of Reality

Multiple realities. Reality is

constructed by the observer.

Single reality. In a welldesigned study, a reasonable

approximation of reality can
be observed

Objectivity/Subjectivity
Dichotomy

Subjectivity based on role of

researcher is expected.
Objectivity is inconsistent with
the idea of a constructed
reality

Objectivity is critical in a
scientific approach to
acquiring knowledge

Role of Research

Researcher is central to any

study. Interpretations are
based on researchers
experience and background.

Researcher tries to remain

outside of the system, keeping
biases to a minimum.

Generalizability, Cause and

effect

Not interested in cause and

effect or generalizing, but
want people to apply to own
situations.

Goal to apply to other

situations

Ways of Knowing

Multiple ways of knowing. We

can learn about something in
many ways.

Best way of knowing is

through the process of
science.

Lichtman, M. (2011), Qualitative Research in Education: A User's Guide

Comparison of Qualitative
Methods of Research
Practical

qualitative

Quantitative

Group Studied

Trends to be smaller,
nonrandom,
Researchers mat get
involved in lives of
those studied

Tends to be larger,
randomly selected.
Anonymity important

Variables

Study of the whole

rather than specific
variables

A few variables studied

Type of data collected

Emphasis in on words.
Increasing interest in
visual data

Emphasis is on umbers

Type of data analysis

Coding and themes.

Some use computers

Statistical analysis.
Computers

Writing Style

Less formal, more

personal

Scientific and
impersonal

Lichtman, M. (2011), Qualitative Research in Education: A User's Guide

The Development of Quantitative

Research: Historical Trends
Statistical Procedures
Test and Measurement Practices
Research Designs

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Historical Trends: Quantitative

Statistical Procedures
Correlational procedures
Comparing groups
Cause/Effect relationships

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Characteristics of Quantitative and Qualitative

Research in the Process of Research
Quantitative
Characteristics
Descriptive/Explanatory
Role
Justify Problem

Steps in the
Research Process
Identifying a Problem

Major

and Narrow
Measurable/Observable

Reviewing the Literature

Specific

Specifying a Purpose

Pre-determined

Instruments
Numeric Data
Large numbers
Statistical
Description

of Trends
Comparisons/Predictions
Standard and Fixed
Objective and Unbiased

Collecting Data

Analyze and
Interpret Data
Report and Evaluate
Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Qualitative
Characteristics

Exploratory/
Understanding
a Central Phenomena
Minor Role
Justify Problem
General

and Broad
Participants Experience
General, emerging form
Text or image data
Small Number
Text Analysis
Description

and Themes
Larger Meanings of Findings
Flexible

and Emerging
Reflexive and Biased

Ways in Which Quantitative and

Qualitative Research are Similar

They both follow the steps in the

process of research
Format for reporting the research
problem is the same
Both have data collection steps

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

How Procedures or Research Designs Relate to

Quantitative and Qualitative Research and Steps in
the Process of Research
Steps in the Research Process Two Approaches
Identifying a Problem

Quantitative
Qualitative

Specifying a Purpose

Quantitative
Qualitative
Quantitative
Qualitative

Collecting Data

Quantitative
Qualitative

Reviewing the Literature

Research Designs

Experimental
Correlational
Survey

Mixed
Action

Analyze and Interpret Data

Report and Evaluate

Quantitative
Qualitative
Quantitative
Qualitative

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Ethnography
Grounded

Theory
Narrative

Quantitative Designs and Uses

Non-Intervention
Research

Intervention
Research
Explaining whether an
intervention influences
an outcome for one
group as opposed to
another group

Associating or
relating variables
in a predictable
pattern for one
group of
individuals

Experimental
Research

Correlational
Research
Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Describing trends for

the population of
people

Survey
Research

Qualitative Designs and Uses

Exploring the shared

culture of a people
group

Exploring common
experiences of
individuals to
develop a theory

Ethnographic
Research

Grounded Theory
Research

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Exploring individual
stories to describe
the lives of people

Narrative
Research

How Do You Choose Whether to Use the

Quantitative or Qualitative Approach?

Match the approach to the problem

Fit the approach to your audience
Relate the approach to your
experiences

Educational Research 2e: Creswell

Ethical considerations in
research:
respect the site in which the research takes
place
Data should be reported honestly.
studies completed by others should not be
plagiarized, and credit should be given for
material quoted from other studies.
research should not sit unpublished and that
researchers should openly share their
ndings
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