Research Methods

This section contains resources on research methods that students can use in their IQPs:

Interviewing of liason or sponsor (Word Document) or (pdf)

Focus Groups (Word Document) or (pdf) are used effectively by students in many IQPs.

To help students think about what data they need to gather and from where the data can be found, exercises are useful.

For example, students can be asked to complete an information needs planning matrix (Word Document) or (pdf).

Students can be encouraged to think about how their research methods (e.g., data gathering and data sources) are linked to research objectives and research questions with exercises too (e.g., project objectives exercise (Word Document) or (pdf) ).

General tips,ideas for writing research method chapters can also be found in Tips for Writing an IQP Proposal (Word Document) or (pdf).

In addition, resources are provided about important methodological issues, such as sampling and validity.

Students must address a variety of methodological issues in their research. An important issue is often Sampling and Error (Word Document) or (pdf). Internal and external validity are also issues that students often need help addressing.

Further information about specific research methods - a variety of resources are available, including text books and web pages. Sources identified in this link can provide useful background to students.

Some projects involve statistical analysis of quantitative data. Students with specific questions about use of statistical methods are invited to contact Prof. Joseph Petruccelli (jdp@wpi.edu) in WPI's Mathematical Sciences Department or Prof. Jeanine Skorinko (skorinko@wpi.edu) in the Social Sciences and Policy Studies Department..

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Last modified: Aug 14, 2008, 11:23 EDT