Psychology Question
Many of you likely have wonderful ideas for a research study. However- have you taken a look at the literature to make sure someone else didn't have the same wonderful idea? Or to make sure that your research makes sense as the next step to further the knowledge of the field?
Below are 10 steps in the research process. Think about each and what they mean to you based on your understanding from the texts and experience reading original research articles.
- Step 1: Find a Research Idea: Select a Topic and Search the Literature to Find an Unanswered Question
- Step 2: Form a Hypothesis and a Prediction
- Step 3: Determine How You Will Define and Measure Your Variables
- Step 4: Identify and Select the Participants or Subjects for the Study
- Step 5: Select a Research Strategy
- Step 6: Select a Research Design
- Step 7: Conduct the Study
- Step 8: Evaluate the Data
- Step 9: Report the Results
- Step 10: Refine or Reformulate Your Research Idea
For our first discussion, let's explore some basic ideas about research. Please answer each question in your own words (no direct quotes- but do use citations and references for paraphrased material), giving examples to help illustrate definitions. Make sure to post your initial post by Wednesday and then check back frequently to respond to questions. Questions posted by the professor are mandatory.
Post meaningful comments and questions to at least two peers. Remember, this is a learning process so examples are the best way to learn.
- What is research?
- What is the scientific method?
- What are your research interests?
- Identify a recent peer-reviewed original research article in your area of interest (within the last 2 years) and report the following:
- How would you cite and reference the article?
- Explain what a secondary source citation is and write a sentence using a citation found in your selected article to illustrate how to cite a secondary source.
- What makes this work original research? Define this term and explain why.
- Is the research applied or basic research? Define these terms and explain why.
- Identify the gap in the literature the author identifies as a basis for their current study. A gap in the literature refers to the literature review the author's provided. It is where they identified what is lacking in the research and what still needs to be investigated. It provides the impetus for their current study.
- Identify a possible gap in the literature based on the author’s suggestions for future work. This is often located in the discussion portion. The author will review how their current study addressed their research question and gap and what is still unknown. The unknown is the possible new gap in the literature and offers an area for future research.
You must make a minimum of four substantive contributions to other posts on two separate days. Post your initial response to the discussion question early in the learning week (no later than Wednesday), and then respond to a minimum of three other posts no later than Sunday.
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