FRHD 1010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Scientific Method

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Family Relations and Human Development
• Course: FRHD 1010
• Professor: Susan Chuang

Document Summary

A scientific method ensures that the question at hand is theoretically driven, and determines what research methods will be conducted. It refers to the ways that info is gathered to answer research questions, using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. Quantitative research: combining data into categories/groups that can be compared and contrasted using statistical techniques to test hypotheses. E. g. , questionnaires and experiments: data is easier to replicate and less open to bias, the accuracy of the results depends on exactly how the numbers were defined and collected. Qualitative research: focus on words and rich descriptions of experience or event, often no specific hypotheses are tested. E. g. , case studies, focus groups, interviews: scientists must not leap to conclusions on the basis of one small study. If using both approaches, it is referred as mixed method studies. Using the scientific method 3 types of research designs.