10 Research Designs: Types and Methods

Descriptive Research Design

Descriptive research design focuses on describing existing conditions, behaviors, or characteristics by systematically gathering information. The key defining attribute of this type of research design is that it purely describes the situation. It doesn’t explore potential relationships between different variables or the causes that may underlie those relationships. It is useful for generating insight into a research problem by describing its characteristics.

Correlational

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Piaget’s Theory: Stages of Cognitive Development

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

Piaget was devoted to studying the genesis of knowledge, constructing it from a biologist’s perspective. Born in Switzerland, he studied psychology, epistemology, and philosophy. Genesis is the passage from a less complex state to a more balanced and complex one. Emotional and cognitive life are two key aspects of behavior:

  1. Affective: Referring to emotions, also called energy (the energy needed to function).
  2. Cognitive: Refers to knowledge, also known as structural
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Understanding Cultural Values: Functions and Impact

Functions of Cultural Values

Cultural value patterns shape how we evaluate our own behavior and the behavior of others. They serve several key functions:

  • Identity Meaning Function
  • Sense-Making/Explanatory Function
  • Boundary Regulation Function
  • Adaptational Function

Identity Meaning Function

Culture plays a vital role in answering the fundamental question: “Who am I?” Cultural beliefs, values, and norms provide meaning to our identities. For instance, in mainstream U.S. culture, middle-class values often

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The Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Drugs

Nervous System Overview

NERVOUS

Nerve current

Electricity: species

  1. Electrons on metal conduit
  2. Ions (charged particles) more cations – Na
  3. Less anion-Cl

Ions

Charged particles

b) Inter neuronal connections (synapses) transmission chemical type

  • Button: axon terminal. Neurotransmitter vesicles: NT
  • Gap: cracks

c) circuit

Convergent -> n1: n3

Divergent -> n2: n3

Classification

1) Anatomy

Brain-m spinal

a) SNC

b) nervous SNP

Substances: gray somas – White: axons

Gray and white substances

Anatomy

SNC

a) central

  • Brain
  • Spinal
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Understanding Deviance, Social Control, and Stratification

Deviance and Social Control

Deviance: Any behavior or physical appearance that departs from the norms of a group and generates a negative reaction.

Social Control: Methods used to teach compliance and conformity.

Conformity: Behaviors and appearances that follow and maintain the norms of the group.

Violation of Norms

We have been socialized to accept norms. Norms provide order and stability, including folkways and mores.

Functionalist Perspective on Deviance

Deviance is part of every society. Every society

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Understanding Eating Disorders and Memory: Key Concepts

Unit 4: Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices but illnesses that cause disturbances in a person’s eating behaviors. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder are types of eating disorders.

What Causes Eating Disorders?

Many people with eating disorders suffer from low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness, and intense dissatisfaction with their appearance. Specific traits are linked to each disorder. For instance, people with anorexia tend to be perfectionistic,

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