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Design of social research

Explanations > Social Research > Design of social research

Designing a social research study or experiment is a significant activity and you need to get it right if you are to make valid conclusions.

• Structuring the research: overall approach.
  • Research frameworks: Several frameworks described.
  • A general research framework: For any type of research.
  • Three -izings of research: Theorizing, operationalizing, generalizing.
• Experimental basics:
  • Types of experiment: True, quasi- and non-experiments.
  • Evaluative research: Summative vs. formative.
  • Types of reliability: Inter-rater, test-retest, etc.
  • Types of validity: Internal, external, etc.
  • Design notation: Shorthand description of experimental structures.
  • Data design: What data to collect.
  • One-tail and two-tail tests: Which to use.
  • Experimental principles: Key principles underlying experiments.
  • Control vs. authenticity: The researcher's dilemma.
  • Control-group design: Two groups, one as comparison.
  • Covariance: To reduce noise.
• Different designs:
  • ABAB design: Alternative treatment/non-treatment.
  • Double Pretest design: When priming is a significant risk.
  • Factorial design: Multiple factors in one experiment.
  • Non-equivalent Dependent Variables design: When external factors may confound.
  • Proxy Pre-test design: Avoiding having to do a pre-test.
  • Regression-Discontinuity design: Cut-off score separates treatment and control groups.
  • Regression Point Displacement design: For large groups with similar comparisons.
  • Solomon Four-Group design: Checking for re-test learning.
  • Switching Replications design: Swap treatment and control groups.
  • Separate Pre-Post Samples design: When you can't get the same people for pre- and post-tests.
  • Time studies: Multiple experiments over time.
• Qualitative design:
  • Anthropological research: Observation and participation.
  • Ethnographic principles: Key aspects to understand.

See also

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