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Four Main Types of Research Historical research - describes what was-mostly nonobtrusive Descriptive research - describes what is-mostly nonobtrusive Correlation research - makes comparisons, looking for trends or tendencies Experimental research - describes what will be - mostly obtrusive
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Historical Research A systematic process of searching for information and fact to describe analyze or interpret the past Value-can provide prospective for decision making about current problems -issues are often better understood if we understand the historical perspective Sources-must have good backed sources to protect from criticism -most common sources are past records Descriptive Research Describes, interprets, and clarifies what in the present -often done with surveys -may be done by observation or an observational instrument Developmental Research is one common type of descriptive research which involves the study of changes in behavior over a period of time
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Correlation Research The purpose is to find relationships between two or more variable so to: - Better understand the conditions and events that we encounter (what goes with what) - To predict future conditions and events. - Correlations do not show cause and effect Coefficients of Correlation -range from –1 to 1 -the farther the number is away from 0 the higher the correlation -a negative