Research Design RQs, Concepts, & Definitions PADMN 6289// WEEK 3

Definitions & Measurement 03 Concepts 02 Research Questions 01 This Videocast Lit Review 04

RQ The Research Design Concept identification Definitions and measurement Data collection Data analysis Findings Conclusions The Research Process

Research Questions The knowledge gap, objective, or curiosity that a research project aims to fulfill 01

—Gail Johnson The research planning process begins with defining the question. Slightly different questions may require different research approaches, different data, and different methods of collecting the data. ”

Seek to measure or determine “what is” Research Questions Compare “what is” to “what should be” Examine relationships between variables, case-and-effect, and/or impacts Descriptive RQs Normative RQs Associational/Causal RQs

Interpretive Empirical/positive Critical Epistemic Approaches & RQs Interpretive Critical Empirical/positive Descriptive RQs Normative RQs Associational/Causal RQs Epistemic Traditions & RQs

How prevalent is recreational marijuana use within and across different Utah subpopulations? How have marijuana laws contributed to the oppression of Utahns of color and how might this be rectified? How does the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes in adjacent states impact marijuana sales and use in Utah? Descriptive RQ Normative RQ Associational/Causal RQ

Concepts Central phenomena of interest, expressed as terms tied to definitions particular to the context and objectives in question 02

Concepts are central phenomena of interest – often those for which the researcher is seeking interpretations of (including from research participants) Concepts reflect the central variables of interest, to be measured and analyzed Concepts define the key phenomena of interest – generally in the form of social constructions, which often differ across groups Interpretive Research Empirical/Positivist Research Critical Research Concepts

Definitions & Measurement Conceptual meanings and corresponding measurement strategies 03

Operationalizations (aka measurement) 02 Conceptual Definitions 01 Definitions Abstract meaning of a term, its parameters (i.e. what it “is” and what it “is not”), and its relationship to other (related) concepts Should be informed by existing literature on the subject matter (do not make up a new concept or coin a new term if an existing one applies) Relevant in interpretive, empiricist/positivist, and critical research The strategy for measuring a concept; either capturing it numbers (quant) or identifying and characterizing it in text (qual) Should be informed by the conceptual definition and existing literature on the subject matter Most often relevant in empiricist/positivist research (both quant and qual)

—Ibram X. Kendi A racist policy is any measure that produces or sustains racial inequity between racial groups…By policy, I mean written and unwritten laws, rules, procedures, processes, regulations, and guidelines that govern people…Racist policies have been described by other terms: ‘institutional racism,’ ‘structural racism,’ and ‘systemic racism,’ for instance…

Racial inequity is when two or more racial groups are not standing on approximately equal footing.

Racial inequity is when two or more racial groups are not standing on approximately equal footing.

Racial inequity is when two or more racial groups are not standing on approximately equal footing.

Construct Validity 01 Measurement Validity & Reliability One measures what they set out to measure Measure Reliability 02 Measure is consistent and repeatable Not reliable Not valid Reliable Not valid Valid Not reliable Reliable Valid

Lit Reviews 04

RQ The Research Design Concept identification Definitions and measurement Data collection Data analysis Findings Conclusions The Research Process Epistemic approach Literature review

Use the most relevant and credible (usually peer-reviewed academic) sources; The reference list should inspire confidence The lit review is not a place to showcase how much you know; Keep a laser focus on the lit review purpose/objectives and avoid extraneous content and details Organize by topic, theme, idea, lesson, or concept (etc); Do not organize purely by author or publication date (i.e. temporally) Sources Focus Organization/Structure Lit Review Tips

Research Design RQs, Concepts, & Definitions PADMN 6289// WEEK 3