Research Explanatory Study Methods
Explanatory study methods
Both qualitative and quantitative methods may be used to collect data for the purpose of explaining the reasons for the effect of a variable on handwriting or how handwriting contributes to an individual characteristic. Researchers apply detailed protocols for conducting these studies in a scientific, systematic manner for uncovering cause and effect relationships, measuring the effects of the study variables on the results. These procedures allow researchers to predict outcomes within a range of certainty (Queirós, Faria, & Almeida, 2017; Solomon & Draine, 2010). Experimental or quasi-experimental methods are the most commonly used procedures in explanatory research.
Explanatory research example
A study from Johns Hopkins explored literacy learning under three learning conditions - handwriting, typing, or visual practice (Wiley & Rapp, 2021). In this study, the researchers randomly assigned participants to one of the learning conditions and maintained close control over other possible influences on the learning process. The findings showed that literacy learning was superior in the handwriting group: training was faster, and participants achieved statistically significant higher scores for letter recognition, writing, letter naming, and word reading than participants in the typing and visual display groups. The experimental research design enabled the researchers to discover a cause-and-effect relationship between handwriting and effective literacy learning, leading them to conclude that “handwriting practice provides greater benefits than either typing or visual practice for a wide range of tasks [in literacy learning]” (Wiley & Rapp, 2021, p. 1098).
Your turn!
Thinking about research? Scientific graphological research is strongly supported by the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation. Join other interested handwriting analysts on the 4th Monday of the month in the online research group facilitated by Jane Yank at [email protected]. We’ll talk about research ideas and resources and provide support for encouraging your curiosity. You don’t need to be up to date on your math skills or know or statistics to be a researcher. Beginners are especially welcome.
AHAF provides help to researchers throughout their projects. Assistance from the AHAF Research Chair is available to AHAF members for developing feasible research ideas, suggesting research methods, and assisting with data analysis and interpretation. Here is a link to a research proposal. AHAF highly recommends contacting the AHAF Research Chair or a research consultant of your choice before proceeding with a research study to ensure the best use of your time and resources.
