Research design
Learning Objective: To improve your ability to methodically design a research study focused on primary data, hypothesis testing, population sampling, and understanding a relationship between variables.
In this activity you present a plan for your cross-cultural comparative study. Please read the description of this study here. You will see how these questions and your answers will set-up your study. You are not required to pursue the question you identify here if you change your mind or learn that it is not answerable. However, if you do pursue this question you will have completed one of the most difficult aspect of scientific research -- determining the problem you will investigate. Note that the research design you create here will be summarized in your final research report, so you are already working on your final product!
Please answer the following questions:
1. What is your research question? (Resource: Ember and Ember CH 2)
2. What is your hypothesis? (Resource: Ember and Ember CH 3)
3. What is your independent variable? You should have at least one independent variable but you may also have more, depending on your research question. Please define the variable/s (in your own words) and provide the OCM code/s. (Resource: Ember and Ember CH 4)
4. What is your dependent variable? Please define the variable (in your own words) and provide the OCM code (or codes). (Resource Ember and Ember CH 4)
5. What sampling strategy will you use? (Resource: Ember and Ember CH 6)
6. What cases/traditions will you use to test your hypothesis? [cases/traditions are the sample of cultures you will collect data on]
7. Draw a box and arrow diagram showing the "mechanism" of why/how your independent variable will influence your dependent variable. If you have more than one independent variable, you'll need a separate box and arrow diagram for the relationship between each independent variable and your dependent variable. Note: one box for the independent variable and one box for the dependent variable is insufficient for describing the relationship (mechanism) between variables. Here's an example of a reasonable display of a mechanism (click here).
8. Why is your research question interesting and important?
There is more information to help you answer these questions (e.g., what is a causal mechanism?) under the description of the cross cultural study.
Grading rubric: Rubrics are designed to clarify expectations and signal where you are with your progress toward meeting the learning objectives of the assignment.
Please number and label (e.g., "Research Question") your answers to each question then answer the question. You do not need to create an essay or argumentative paper, just number each question and provide your answer. One or two pages should be all that is necessary. Upload to Canvas. Late assignments will not be accepted.
10 points: The research design is exceptional. All questions above are answered and integrated into a coherent and well-organized and thorough document. The document is clearly written and understandable by an audience with a general anthropological background. A strong understanding of cross-cultural comparative research is demonstrated.
8 points: The research design meets all expectations. All questions above are answered and integrated into a coherent and well-organized and thorough document. The document is clearly written and understandable by an audience with a general anthropological background. A reasonable understanding of cross-cultural comparative research is demonstrated.
6 points: The research design meets minimal expectations. All questions above are answered. A limited understanding of cross-cultural comparative research is demonstrated.
< 6 points: The research design does not meet minimal expectations. Some questions above are answered; some are not. The document is uneven in clarity and thoroughness and some parts will be confusing to an audience with a general anthropological background. Understanding of cross-cultural comparative research is not demonstrated.
In this activity you present a plan for your cross-cultural comparative study. Please read the description of this study here. You will see how these questions and your answers will set-up your study. You are not required to pursue the question you identify here if you change your mind or learn that it is not answerable. However, if you do pursue this question you will have completed one of the most difficult aspect of scientific research -- determining the problem you will investigate. Note that the research design you create here will be summarized in your final research report, so you are already working on your final product!
Please answer the following questions:
1. What is your research question? (Resource: Ember and Ember CH 2)
2. What is your hypothesis? (Resource: Ember and Ember CH 3)
3. What is your independent variable? You should have at least one independent variable but you may also have more, depending on your research question. Please define the variable/s (in your own words) and provide the OCM code/s. (Resource: Ember and Ember CH 4)
4. What is your dependent variable? Please define the variable (in your own words) and provide the OCM code (or codes). (Resource Ember and Ember CH 4)
5. What sampling strategy will you use? (Resource: Ember and Ember CH 6)
6. What cases/traditions will you use to test your hypothesis? [cases/traditions are the sample of cultures you will collect data on]
7. Draw a box and arrow diagram showing the "mechanism" of why/how your independent variable will influence your dependent variable. If you have more than one independent variable, you'll need a separate box and arrow diagram for the relationship between each independent variable and your dependent variable. Note: one box for the independent variable and one box for the dependent variable is insufficient for describing the relationship (mechanism) between variables. Here's an example of a reasonable display of a mechanism (click here).
8. Why is your research question interesting and important?
There is more information to help you answer these questions (e.g., what is a causal mechanism?) under the description of the cross cultural study.
Grading rubric: Rubrics are designed to clarify expectations and signal where you are with your progress toward meeting the learning objectives of the assignment.
Please number and label (e.g., "Research Question") your answers to each question then answer the question. You do not need to create an essay or argumentative paper, just number each question and provide your answer. One or two pages should be all that is necessary. Upload to Canvas. Late assignments will not be accepted.
10 points: The research design is exceptional. All questions above are answered and integrated into a coherent and well-organized and thorough document. The document is clearly written and understandable by an audience with a general anthropological background. A strong understanding of cross-cultural comparative research is demonstrated.
8 points: The research design meets all expectations. All questions above are answered and integrated into a coherent and well-organized and thorough document. The document is clearly written and understandable by an audience with a general anthropological background. A reasonable understanding of cross-cultural comparative research is demonstrated.
6 points: The research design meets minimal expectations. All questions above are answered. A limited understanding of cross-cultural comparative research is demonstrated.
< 6 points: The research design does not meet minimal expectations. Some questions above are answered; some are not. The document is uneven in clarity and thoroughness and some parts will be confusing to an audience with a general anthropological background. Understanding of cross-cultural comparative research is not demonstrated.
