After reading this chapter, you should be able to

• „„Describe the characteristics of quantitative 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.