Chapter
3Chapter
3The study context or setting describes, in two to three short paragraphs, the geographic location where the study is to be conducted (e.g., state, county, city). It provides characteristics of the region (for example, agricultural, industrial, or residential area) and its general population (for example, socioeconomic status, race, age, etc).
Population & Participant Selection
Population, in this instance, refers to the group from which your participants (or sample of subjects) will be drawn. In most studies, it is not possible to examine all the members of an entire population (e.g., all students in Arkansas) as it would be too costly and time consuming.
Therefore, it is normal for researchers to conduct research on a sample of subjects selected from a given population. In observing the characteristics of the sample, the researcher may make certain inferences about the characteristics of the population from which it is drawn.
Example:
The type of experimental design (e.g., classical, solomon four group, one-shot case study, pre-post test, etc) that you choose to use in your study is normally predetermined by the characteristics of your study. (More detailed information relating to specific experimental designs maybe obtained by selecting "Experimental Designs" on the main menu).
The procedures define each step of the research process in very precise details, so much so that if someone were to follow the research procedures they should be able to reproduce the same study.
The procedures therefore include information pertaining to the:
The experimental treatment is described in very precise details in terms of what it is, how it is administered and by whom, for how long and over what period.
The independent and dependent variables for the study are clearly identified at this stage. The Independent variable is usually remembered as the Instigator of action or the bullying variable, which tries to change or alter the Dependent or Down-trodden variable.
The type of data-gathering instrument to be used is described (e.g., survey, questionnaires etc) and how the instrument is to be implemented (e.g., by mail, telephone, face-to-face etc).
Literature supporting the use of the instrument as well as its reliability (consistency) and validity (accuracy or truthfulness) should also be presented.
If a new instrument is to be used then details concerning its formulation and testing should be provided.
The techniques that will be used to treat and analyze the data are presented in this section.
Treating the data refers to how missing or incorrect data will be dealt with (i.e., thrown out, partially used, etc).
Data analysis refers to the statistical programs (e.g., SPSS, SAS) that will be used to manage the data, and what statistical techniques (e.g., T-Tests, ANOVA's, MANCOVA's etc) will be used to examine the data.
Researchers should also state the statistical level of significance (i.e., p-value of .05, .01, or .001) that will be used to interpret the results.
The permissions, authorization, or approval, statement that will be needed to conduct the study should be identified here. Most educational and other sponsoring research institutions require researchers to submit their proposals to established Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) for approval before study with human subjects may be conducted.
Details concerning how the anonymity of the subjects and confidentiality of the findings will be protected should be mentioned.
A copy of the consent form that subjects have to read and sign should be included.
Be prepared to wait. This can be a long, drawn out process.
IRB Review Forms: Please check this out regarding the checklist for approval!!!
http://researchoffice.astate.edu/forms.htm
All student must complete the following course prior to collecting data on subjects.