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EDRM 700
GREDLER
Five Types of Research
Experimental Research – One or more aspects of a situation are manipulated under carefully controlled conditions and pre-selected outcomes are measured. Experimental studies, therefore, are intervention studies.
Example: Does peer tutoring produce a greater understanding of science for sixth-grade students than small-group discussions?
The researcher selects a sample of subjects and divides the sample into the number of groups needed to test the hypotheses. In the above example, method of instruction is manipulated: A peer tutoring method is assigned to one-half of the students, and small- group discussion is assigned to the other half. At the end of six weeks, science achievement is measured using an appropriate instrument, and the two groups are compared.
Other examples:
Does client-centered therapy lead to higher satisfaction in adult clients than traditional therapy?
Does an incident-based approach to discussing bullying raise the confidence level of third-grade children?
Key features:
A planned intervention Two or more groups compared on a quantitative outcome
Single-subject research – the study of the effects of an intervention on the behavior of one subject at a time; typically implemented in situations in which group designs are not appropriate. Observation is the typical method of data collection.
Example: What are the effects of self-recording one’s actions on off-task behavior for a high-school student with an attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder?
Does a reinforcement program for hand-raising reduce the incidents of screeching to get adult attention in an autistic eight-year-old boy?
Key characteristics:
A planned intervention One research subject only Measurement of a quantitative outcome
Correlational Research – to determine whether, and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more characteristics; sometimes used to make predictions about certain behaviors.
Example: How well do prior grades and student self-directedness predict science achievement in middle school?
The researcher selects a sample of subjects, obtains quantitative measures of the targeted characteristics, and calculates the relationship.
Other examples: Is self-regulation related to math achievement in high school students?
Is there a relationship between a mindful approach to problem solving and self-regulation in middle school students?
Key features:
NO INTERVENTION One group only At least two measurements
Causal-comparative research – also referred to as “ex post facto” (after-the-fact research) – attempts to associate differences that already exist between or among groups of individuals with differences in a particular characteristic. Unlike experimental research, the researcher does not create the difference between or among the groups. Instead, the difference is (a) a pre-existing characteristic that cannot be manipulated (age, gender) or (b) a characteristic that cannot be manipulated ethically or easily (teaching style).
Example: Do 10-year-olds of different gender differ in linguistic ability?
Two groups of subjects that differ on an existing characteristic are measured on some attitude, skill, or other characteristic to determine if there are differences.
Note: Interpretations of causal-comparative research are limited; the researcher cannot state that the identified factor is the cause – only that there is a difference between groups.
