Читать книгу Social Work Research Methods - Reginald O. York - Страница 52

Several comments have been offered on the process of scientific research. Here we will examine four simple steps in this process: (1) the determination of the research question and the knowledge base that supports your inquiry, (2) the determination of the methods to be used to find a sample of study participants and to measure the study variables, (3) collection and analysis of data, and (4) the drawing of conclusions.

The first logical step is to determine the basic research question to be pursued. In other words, you are determining the purpose of your study. Let’s say your purpose is to determine if your tutoring service is having the intended effect of improving the grades of your at-risk students in your tutoring program. The second logical step is to select your study methods. In the tutoring example, you have your current clients as your study subjects. You will measure their grades to answer your research question. You will compare the grades of these clients at the end of the tutoring program with their grades at the beginning. The third step is the collection and analysis of data. In your example, let’s suppose the grades at the end of the program were statistically significantly better than the grades at the beginning. Your final step is to draw conclusions. With your data, you can conclude that the tutoring program was effective in the improvement of the grades of your clients.