Examples of Causal, Correlational, Descriptive, and Exploratory Research Questions

Summary

This video script addresses the alignment of research questions (RQs) with appropriate methodologies in academic research. It outlines four empirical research designs: causal, correlational, descriptive, and exploratory. The speaker clarifies that causal RQs imply a cause-and-effect relationship, requiring causal research designs for proper analysis. Correlational RQs examine relationships without assuming causality and are suited for correlational designs. Descriptive RQs aim to provide detailed accounts of subjects, often using quantitative measures. Exploratory RQs, often qualitative, seek to uncover unknown factors and are best approached with open-ended questions. The script emphasizes the importance of consistency between RQ formulation and research methodology for successful thesis assessment.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The video discusses the alignment of research questions (RQs) with appropriate research methodologies, highlighting the importance for student researchers.
• 🧐 Incongruence between the RQ and the research method can lead to unfavorable assessments of theses, emphasizing the need for consistency.
• 📊 The presenter outlines four types of empirical research designs: causal, correlational, descriptive, and exploratory, each suited for different types of RQs.
• ❓ A causal RQ implies a cause-and-effect relationship, suggesting the influence of an independent variable (IV) on a dependent variable (DV).
• 🔗 Correlational RQs focus on the relationship between variables without implying causation, aiming to understand associations.
• 📋 Descriptive RQs aim to provide detailed and precise descriptions of a subject matter, often using quantitative measures.
• 🔎 Exploratory RQs are typically qualitative, seeking to uncover previously unknown factors or aspects through open-ended inquiries.
• 📝 The video stresses that the phrasing of RQs should match the chosen research method to ensure a coherent research approach.
• 👨‍🏫 For specific research design questions, the presenter advises consulting with teachers or research advisors for personalized guidance.
• 👍 The video invites viewers to engage with the content by leaving comments and subscribing for more research-related content.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script related to student research?

The main issue discussed is the incongruence between the research question (RQ) and the research method used in student theses, which can lead to unfavorable assessments.

What are the four types of empirical research designs mentioned in the script?

The four types of empirical research designs mentioned are causal, correlational, descriptive, and exploratory.

How is a causal research question (RQ) characterized in the script?

A causal RQ is characterized by implying a cause and effect relationship, where one can observe how an independent variable (IV) would cause or influence a dependent variable (DV).

What kind of research design is suggested for a causal RQ in the script?

For a causal RQ, the script suggests using a causal research design, which could be an experimental design, a pre-test post-test design, or at least a correlational design.

What is the focus of a correlational research question according to the script?

A correlational RQ focuses on the relationship or correlation between or among certain things without distinguishing between an independent variable and a dependent variable.

Why are descriptive research questions often not explored qualitatively?

Descriptive research questions are often not explored qualitatively because they aim to describe a subject matter with accuracy or precision, which typically requires quantitative measurement rather than open-ended qualitative inquiry.

What is the primary goal of descriptive research as per the script?

The primary goal of descriptive research is to provide a detailed and nuanced description of a subject matter, often involving measurement of key dimensions related to the subject.

Why is exploratory research typically qualitative according to the script?

Exploratory research is typically qualitative because it involves uncovering previously unknown factors or aspects, which requires open questions and a flexible approach to let new insights emerge.

What kind of research questions are best researched qualitatively as per the script?

Research questions that are exploratory in nature and where the researcher has no clear idea of what the data might show are best researched qualitatively.

What advice does the script give to student researchers regarding their research questions and methods?

The script advises student researchers to ensure that the way they phrase their research question is consistent with their chosen research method and to consult with their teachers or research advisors for specific questions about their research design.

How does the script suggest handling the complexity of research questions and methods?

The script simplifies the theory and provides stereotypical examples, but it encourages students to seek guidance from their faculty for specific questions about aligning their research questions with appropriate methodologies.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Research Question Congruence with Methodology

The speaker, a committee member assessing student research, emphasizes the importance of aligning research questions (RQs) with appropriate methodologies. They discuss the mismatch between causal RQs and exploratory qualitative methods, which can lead to negative assessments. The video aims to clarify the types of questions for different research designs: causal, correlational, descriptive, and exploratory. Causal RQs imply a cause-and-effect relationship, which should be investigated using causal research designs like experiments or correlational designs. Examples of causal RQs are provided, highlighting the need for a clear independent variable (IV) causing a dependent variable (DV).

05:01

🔍 Understanding Correlational and Descriptive Research

The speaker explains that correlational RQs focus on the relationship between variables without implying causality, such as the link between employee commitment and satisfaction. These require correlational designs to measure and calculate relationships. Descriptive research aims to provide detailed and precise descriptions of subjects, like employee satisfaction levels, and is typically quantitative but can sometimes be qualitative, especially when the research is more exploratory in nature.

🔬 The Role of Exploratory Research in Qualitative Studies

Exploratory research is characterized by its qualitative approach, as it seeks to uncover previously unknown factors or aspects. The speaker gives examples of exploratory RQs, such as managers' adaptation to diversity or reasons employees avoid team-building events. These questions are open-ended, aiming to surface new insights rather than relying on preconceived answers. The speaker stresses the importance of matching the RQ's phrasing with the chosen research method and advises students to consult with teachers or advisors for specific research design questions.

Keywords

💡Research Question (RQ)

A Research Question (RQ) is a query that guides a research study, focusing on what the researcher aims to investigate or understand. In the video, the RQ is central to determining the appropriate research design and methodology. The script discusses how the congruence between the RQ and the research method is crucial for a favorable assessment of a thesis. For instance, a causal RQ implies a cause-and-effect relationship that necessitates a causal research design.

💡Research Method

The research method refers to the systematic approach a researcher uses to collect, analyze, and interpret data. The video emphasizes the importance of aligning the research method with the type of RQ to ensure the research's validity. For example, an exploratory qualitative method is suitable for RQs where the researcher has no clear expectations of the findings, as opposed to a causal method which is used to investigate cause-and-effect relationships.

💡Causal Research Design

A causal research design is used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. The video provides examples such as classroom temperature influencing students' attention span, where the independent variable (IV) is the classroom temperature, and the dependent variable (DV) is the attention span. The script suggests that a causal RQ would generally require a causal research design to calculate and identify causality or effect size.

💡Correlation

Correlation in research refers to a statistical relationship between two variables, indicating the extent to which they move in relation to each other. The video distinguishes correlational RQs from causal ones, noting that correlational RQs do not imply causation but rather explore the relationship between variables. An example given is the relationship between employee commitment and satisfaction, where the direction of influence is not predetermined.

💡Descriptive Research

Descriptive research aims to provide a detailed and precise account of a subject matter. The video explains that descriptive RQs are not concerned with causal effects or correlations but rather with describing a phenomenon. An example from the script is the current level of employee satisfaction in a firm, which might involve measuring various dimensions of satisfaction such as pay, advancement opportunities, and work environment.

💡Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is conducted when there is a lack of pre-existing knowledge or theory about a research area. The video script uses the example of exploring why some employees avoid team-building events, where the researcher has no clear idea about the reasons and thus uses open-ended questions to uncover previously unknown factors.

💡Independent Variable (IV)

The independent variable (IV) is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In the context of the video, a causal RQ would clearly implicate an IV causing or influencing the DV. For example, in the question 'How does classroom temperature influence students' attention span?', classroom temperature is the IV.

💡Dependent Variable (DV)

The dependent variable (DV) is the variable that is expected to change in response to changes in the independent variable. The video script illustrates this with examples such as students' attention span being influenced by classroom temperature, where the attention span is the DV that is affected by the IV, classroom temperature.

💡Effect Size

Effect size is a measure of the strength of the relationship between variables in a study. The video mentions that a causal research design is necessary to properly calculate and identify the effect size, which helps in understanding the magnitude of the impact of the IV on the DV.

💡Qualitative Research

Qualitative research involves the collection and analysis of non-numerical data to understand social phenomena in depth. The video script explains that exploratory research is generally qualitative because it aims to uncover previously unknown aspects through open-ended questions and in-depth exploration. An example provided is how managers adapt their behaviors in response to a diverse employee population.

Highlights

The importance of aligning research questions with appropriate methodologies to avoid unfavorable assessments.

Four types of empirical research designs: causal, correlational, descriptive, and exploratory.

Causal research questions imply a cause and effect relationship, requiring a clear IV and DV.

Examples of causal questions and how they should be phrased to imply causality.

The expectation for causal research questions to be investigated using causal research designs.

Correlational research questions focus on the relationship between variables without implying causality.

Descriptive research aims to provide detailed and accurate descriptions of a subject matter.

Exploratory research is generally qualitative, aiming to uncover previously unknown factors.

The necessity for qualitative methods in exploratory research due to the lack of clear expectations.

The overlap between descriptive and exploratory research questions and when each is appropriate.

The importance of consulting with teachers or research advisors for specific research design questions.

The video serves as a simplification of theory and includes stereotypical examples for educational purposes.

An invitation for viewers to leave their thoughts and comments in a civil and respectful manner.

A call to action for viewers to like and subscribe if they find the video interesting or helpful.

Transcripts

A BIG PART OF MY JOB IS BEING A MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE WHICH ASSESSES STUDENT RESEARCH

PROJECTS AND DISSERTATIONS.

A COMMON ISSUE THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND I ENCOUNTER IS THE INCONGRUENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH QUESTION

AND RESEARCH METHOD.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE SEE IN A STUDENT'S THESIS THAT THE RQ IS A VERY CAUSAL QUESTION, BUT

THE RESEARCH METHOD IS EXPLORATORY QUALITATIVE.

AND THIS INCONGRUENCE OR INCONSISTENCY CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO UNFAVORABLE ASSESSMENT OF

THE THESIS.

SO IN THIS VIDEO I WISH TO QUICKLY AND HOPEFULLY CLEARLY HIGHLIGHT WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS SHOULD

BE FORMULATED FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESEARCH AND WHAT SORT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

WOULD BE BEST SUITED FOR THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RQS.

WE ARE GOING TO COVER FOUR TYPES OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH DESIGN -- CAUSAL, CORRELATIONAL,

DESCRIPTIVE, AND EXPLORATORY.

AND BTW, IF YOU DO NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE TERMS MEAN, PLEASE WATCH MY OTHER VIDEO

ON RESEARCH DESIGN LINKED ABOVE AND BELOW.

A CAUSAL RQ IS ONE WHICH CLEARLY IMPLICATES CAUSE AND EFFECT.

IN OTHER WORDS, ONE SHOULD EASILY OBSERVE IN A CAUSAL QUESTION HOW AN IV WOULD CAUSE

OR INFLUENCE THE DV.

FOR INSTANCE: HOW DOES CLASSROOM TEMPERATURE INFLUENCE STUDENTS' ATTENTION SPAN?

OR: HOW DOES EMPLOYEE DIVERSITY INFLUENCE OCB?

OR: HOW DOES STUDENT IQ INFLUENCE THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT?

THESE QUESTIONS CAN ALSO BE PHRASED A BIT DIFFERENTLY: INSTEAD OF ASKING -- HOW DOES

CLASSROOM TEMPERATURE INFLUENCE STUDENTS' ATTENTION SPAN?

ONE COULD ALSO ASK: WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF CLASSROOM TEMPERATURE

ON STUDENTS' ATTENTION SPAN?

OR: TO WHAT EXTENT DOES CLASSROOM TEMPERATURE

IMPACT STUDENTS' ATTENTION SPAN?

ALTHOUGH THERE MIGHT BE DIFFERENT WAYS TO PHRASE SUCH A QUESTION AND THERE MAY ALSO

BE DIFFERENT NUMBERS OF IVS AND DVS INVOLVED, BUT IN GENERAL, AS LONG AS THE IV AND DV ARE

CLEARLY IMPLICATED IN THE RQ, AND A CLEAR CAUSALITY, OR CAUSE AND EFFECT RELATIONSHIP,

IS INHERENT IN THE QUESTION, THEN ONE WOULD GENERALLY ACCEPT OR VIEW THIS RQ TO BE CAUSAL.

AND AS SUCH, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ONE WOULD EXPECT THAT THE RESEARCHER WOULD USE A CAUSAL

RESEARCH DESIGN TO INVESTIGATE AND ANSWER SUCH A CAUSAL RQ -- MAYBE AN EXPERIMENTAL

DESIGN, OR A PRE TEST POST TEST DESIGN, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, A CORRELATIONAL DESIGN,

SO THAT THE CAUSALITY, OR THE EFFECT SIZE, CAN BE PROPERLY CALCULATED AND IDENTIFIED.

>>>

NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT CORRELATIONAL QUESTIONS.

A CORRELATIONAL RQ TYPICALLY DOES NOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN IV AND DV, RATHER, IT FOCUSES ON THE

RELATIONSHIP, OR THE CORRELATION, BETWEEN OR AMONG CERTAIN THINGS.

FOR INSTANCE:

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT AND EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION?

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOTEL ROOM OCCUPANCY AND OVERALL PROFITABILITY?

SO, A CORRELATIONAL QUESTION DOES NOT INVOLVE IMPLICATING ONE SPECIFIC VARIABLE AS THE PREDICTOR

AND THE OTHER AS THE OUTCOME.

MAYBE COMMITMENT INFLUENCES SATISFACTION, MAYBE SATISFACTION INFLUENCES COMMITMENT,

MAYBE THERE IS A BI-DIRECTIONAL RELATIONSHIP, OR MAYBE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THESE 2

VARIABLES IS SIMPLY THE RESULT OF A THIRD PREDICTOR WHICH IS NOT EVEN IMPLICATED IN

THIS RQ.

A CORRELATIONAL QUESTION DOES NOT ASSUME CAUSALITY, ONLY CORRELATION.

CORRELATIONAL RQS GENERALLY CALL FOR A CORRELATIONAL DESIGN.

BOTH VARIABLES SHOULD BE PROPERLY MEASURED SO THAT THE RELATIONSHIP CAN BE CALCULATED.

I WILL LINK ANOTHER VIDEO OF MINE ON THE TOPIC OF "MEASURING VARIABLES, CALCULATING RELATIONSHIPS".

THE LINK IS ABOVE AND BELOW.

>>>

AND NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONS.

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH GENERALLY AIMS AT DESCRIBING A CERTAIN SUBJECT MATTER WITH HIGHER DEGREES

OF ACCURACY OR PRECISION, OR PROVIDING A MORE NUANCED AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT.

FOR EXAMPLE:

WHAT IS THE CURRENT LEVEL OF EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION IN THIS FIRM?

TO WHAT DEGREE ARE THE MANAGERS IN THIS FIRM EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT?

SUCH DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN IDENTIFYING CAUSAL EFFECTS OR CORRELATIONS,

THEY ARE PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH DESCRIBING SOMETHING.

IN THE SATISFACTION EXAMPLE, THE RESEARCHER WOULD PROBABLY SET OUT TO MEASURE EMPLOYEES'

OVERALL SATISFACTION AS WELL AS THE KEY DIMENSIONS OF EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SUCH AS PAY, ADVANCEMENT

OPPORTUNITIES, RELATIONSHIP WITH COWORKERS AND SUPERVISORS, WORK CONTENT ITSELF, AND

SO ON.

CAN SOMETHING BE DESCRIBED QUALITATIVELY?

YES, BUT THAT'S RATHER RARE.

BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME, IF YOU ARE WRITING A RESEARCH THESIS, YOU HAVE ALREADY PERFORMED

A LIT REVIEW AND YOU TEND TO HAVE A RATHER CLEAR IDEA AS TO WHAT IT IS YOU ARE TRYING

TO DESCRIBE OR MEASURE, IF YOU ARE DOING DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH.

THERE CAN BE SOME SITUATIONS WHERE A QUALITATIVE APPROACH IS WARRANTED.

BUT IN THOSE CASES, ONE MIGHT ARGUE THAT THE CENTRAL QUESTION IS PROBABLY MORE OF AN EXPLORATORY

NATURE, RATHER THAN DESCRIPTIVE.

BECAUSE THERE IS BIT OF AN OVERLAP BETWEEN A DESCRIPTIVE RQ AND AN EXPLORATORY ONE.

>>>

SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT EXPLORATORY QUALITATIVE RQS.

THE REASON WHY EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IS GENERALLY QUALITATIVE IS THAT WHEN WE ARE PERFORMING

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH, WE HAVE NO CLEAR EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT WE WOULD FIND.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO UNCOVER.

THAT'S WHY WE EXPLORE.

WE WANT TO, THROUGH QUALITATIVE EXPLORATORY RESEARCH, LET PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN FACTORS OR

ASPECTS SURFACE.

AND THAT IS WHY QUALITATIVE EXPLORATORY RQS ARE MOSTLY OPEN QUESTIONS, NOT CLOSED QUESTIONS

WHICH CAN BE PERFECTLY ANSWERED QUANTITATIVELY.

QUALITATIVE EXPLORATORY RQS WILL PROBABLY BE SOMETHING LIKE THIS:

HOW DO MANAGERS ADAPT THEIR OWN BEHAVIORS IN RESPONSE TO AN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE EMPLOYEE

POPULATION?

OR: WHY DO SOME EMPLOYEES AVOID TEAM BUILDING EVENTS ORGANIZED BY THEIR COMPANIES?

THESE RQS ARE EXPLORATORY IN NATURE AND THEY ARE BEST RESEARCHED QUALITATIVELY BECAUSE

THE RESEARCHER HAS NO CLEAR IDEA AS TO WHAT THE DATA WOULD LIKELY SHOW.

FOR INSTANCE, I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHY SOME EMPLOYEES ALWAYS STAY AWAY AND CHOOSE

NOT TO JOIN TEAM BUILDING DAYS AT WORK.

WHAT'S THEIR DEAL?

WHY?

I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

SO, I CANNOT GIVE THEM A SURVEY WITH A BUNCH OF REASONS ON THERE AND ASK THEM TO TICK THE

ONES THAT APPLY, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR REASONS MIGHT BE AT ALL.

THAT IS WHY I NEED TO TACKLE THIS QUESTION QUALITATIVELY -- I NEED TO TALK TO THEM, ASK

OPEN QUESTIONS, TRIGGER PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN ANSWERS, AND LET THESE PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN

THINGS SURFACE, SO THAT I GET TO FORM AN UNDERSTANDING AND AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

>>>

SO, THE POINT OF THIS VIDEO IS -- AS A STUDENT RESEARCHER, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE

WAY YOU PHRASE YOUR RQ IS CONSISTENT WITH YOUR CHOSEN

RESEARCH METHOD.

AGAIN, THIS VIDEO IS A SIMPLIFICATION OF THEORY AND IT ONLY INCLUDES SOME STEREOTYPICAL EXAMPLES.

WHEN YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH DESIGN, CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN TEACHERS

OR RESEARCH ADVISORS IN YOUR FACULTY.

>>>

ALL RIGHT, AS ALWAYS, I INVITE YOU TO LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS DOWN BELOW, BUT

PLEASE KEEP THEM CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL.

IF YOU FIND THIS VIDEO INTERESTING OR HELPFUL, PLEASE LIKE AND SUB.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS RR VID AND I'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.