Steps in Planning and Conducting Research

This introduction to research covers a multitude of graduate-level concepts using voiceover narration illustrated with animation, live footage, and (primarily) onscreen lists (two educators also appear periodically to explain certain terms and approaches). Differences between observational, correlational, and experimental research are discussed as the program moves chronologically through eight steps: choosing a topic, developing a hypothesis, selecting and defining dependent and independent variables, identifying participants or a sample population, designing a study, planning and conducting the actual research, analyzing data and drawing conclusions (including the importance of being able to replicate findings), and sharing the outcome. Examples of topics range from measuring the effect of watering on a plant's growth to studying the genetic transmission of schizophrenia. Some effort went into making the material visually interesting (particularly through animated mathematical formulas and examples), but this brief introduction to research methods would only make sense paired with more in-depth instruction. A strong optional purchase. [Note: also newly available is Research Design: Observational and Correlational Studies. Aud: C. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)