Research Methods

Introduction

When it comes to research, there are many variables. The variables are defined as any stimulus factor or behavior that can change on some dimension. The variables can be observed, sometimes controlled, and measured. In scientific investigations, variables that can be quantified with precision are preferred (Walsh, 2004).

An independent variable in an experiment, the variable under the control of the scientist or investigator and which is believed to have the potential to alter or influence the dependent variable.

A dependent variable in terms of an experiment is the response or behavior being studied in order to determine if it has been influenced by or altered by the independent variable. Meanwhile, extraneous variable in an experiment is a kind of variable or variables that could have an effect on the dependent variable but which is controlled. When an uncontrolled extraneous variables influence experimental outcomes the results are said to be confounded.

Observation

In education, the first step in learning. Through observations the simple instructions can guide the students. The richness of information is provided through simple observing and the intellectual setting is promoted (Schalock, McConney, and Schalock, 2002). Accordingly, the engagement of participants in a research is a best input in doing the observation.

Observation or observing is a natural process. People are sometimes unaware that they are observing every day, like inferring meaning of every word, characteristics, motivations, feelings, and intentions. An observer is moved from the actions he sees to an inference of motivation behind those actions he is observing. To accompany his observation, an observational data is as much related to research he do (Yount, 2006).

The major problem with observation is the fact that the observer is human. Observers have feelings, aspirations, fears, biases, and prejudices. Any one of these can influence and distort that subject which being observed. As a method, the inference is an enemy and reliable data thus, when an observer infers motive to observe action, the observer tends to add something on his personal interest to the data. In that way, the data is distorted, invalid and unreliable. Another enemy of an observer is the interference which is the very presence of the observer can affect behavior of the people being observed (Yount, 2006). Like for example, the presence of a uniformed police officer would certainly interfere with the criminal behavior.

Measurement

Measurement is the foundation of scientific inquiry and it very ideal and applicable when it is used with the scientific analyses. Measurement is effective in theoretical concepts at the operational level. But there are many levels of measurement that provides different extent of information and issues that are all subject and needed to be address in a research. The use and importance of measurement depends on the operational definition. The measurement must provide the ability to detect the presence or absence of a theoretical background. It only means that the application of measurement should always have the basis to make the research accurate or close to accuracy.

The measurement also deals with the quantity, or an underlying dimensions to the measure’s ability to detect and the comparative system or ordering of information is created. The next factor with the measurement is the idea of units to make the comparative study of the subject states the similarity or differences. And the last is the interval type of measurement by which observations are measured to be different that makes the statement proportion to each or one another.

Comparison

The observation and measurement method are both effective but still have their weak point. The observation are sometimes bias or unreliable because most of the time the observer based his ideas on his own perceptions. Meanwhile, the measurement is not effective when the data being used for measurement does not present specific ideas. For the researchers, the use of each method is effective for both multicultural and traditional methods. The problems that researchers encounter are the inappropriate use of the method over the data or material being observed or measured. And some researcher proposed that the use of both or the combination of the methods of research is more reliable, unbiased, accurate, and effective.

References:

Schalock, D., McConney, A., & Schalock, M., 2002. Assessing Teacher Impact on Learning: Multiple Sources, Multiple Indicators. [Online] Available at: http://www.tr.wou.edu/tep/Brief15.pdf. [Accessed 10 Nov 2009].

Walsh, A., 2004. Introduction to Psychology. [Online] Available at: http://inside.salve.edu/~walsh/variables.pdf. [Accessed 10 Nov 2009].

Yount, R., 2006. Observation: The Problem, The Obstacles, and Practical Suggestions. [Online] Available at: http://www.napce.org/articles/Research%20Design%20Yount/09_Obs_4th.pdf. [Accessed 10 Nov 2009].

Other Source:

Measurement. Basic Tools of Research: Sampling, Measurement, Distributions, and Descriptive Statistics. [Online] Available at: http://www.llc.rpi.edu/web/ResearchMethodsForCommunicationScience/ch07.pdf. [Accessed 10 Nov 2009].