Research Problem Examination

Reflective thinking about social phenomena

A systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation

A collection of untested ideas

An informal method of problem-solving

Guessing outcomes

Asking questions, collecting data, analyzing, and drawing conclusions

Memorizing theories

Accepting tradition

To discover new facts

To improve techniques and develop products

To reinforce traditional beliefs without testing

To expand or verify existing knowledge

Applied research

Basic or pure research

Action research

Evaluation research

Predict future outcomes

Remedy unsatisfactory conditions

Explore variables without intervention

Develop new instruments

Descriptive research

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Historical research

Dependent variable

Independent variable

Control variable

Extraneous variable

Objective and logical

Systematic and controlled

Based on tradition and authority

Accurately recorded and reported

Making conclusions from very few instances

Attributing phenomena to supernatural power

Ignoring opposing evidence

Depending only on authority figures

Historical, descriptive, experimental

Predictive, directive, illuminative

Applied, basic, action

Quantitative, qualitative