After reading this chapter, you should be able to

• Describe the characteristics of quantitative research.
• List and define Patton’s 12 major characteristics of qualitative research.
• List and explain the different types of variables used in quantitative research.
• Explain the difference between experimental and nonexperimental quantitative research.
• Explain the concept of a correlation coefficient.
• Describe the characteristics of qualitative research.
• List and explain the differences among the different types of qualitative research introduced in this chapter.
• Describe the characteristics of mixed research.
• Explain when each of the three major research paradigms (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed) would be appropriate to use.