Next Idea to Probe (NIP) guides students through systematic investigation of social phenomena using dual research methods—surveys and interviews. This track emphasizes scholarly exploration for insight and comprehension, teaching students to probe human experiences, perspectives, and behaviors through structured inquiry.
NIP focuses on understanding "what" exists and "why/how" it occurs, collecting observations, feelings, thoughts, and words from people. Students learn to design effective research instruments, engage with diverse participants, analyze both quantitative and qualitative data, and synthesize findings into comprehensive research reports.
NIP uniquely combines surveys (50-200 participants) and interviews (15-25 participants), providing both breadth and depth. Students learn to design quantitative instruments for patterns and qualitative protocols for rich understanding, then integrate both data types into coherent findings.
Unlike solution-focused tracks, NIP emphasizes scholarly exploration—understanding phenomena for insight and comprehension rather than immediate problem-solving. This cultivates curiosity-driven inquiry and appreciation for knowledge as inherently valuable.
NIP collects observations, feelings, thoughts, and words directly from people experiencing phenomena. Students learn to design questions that reveal authentic human experiences, perspectives, and behaviors—developing empathy and understanding alongside research skills.
Students formulate three hypotheses representing potential findings they aim to investigate. These hypotheses guide questionnaire and interview design, ensuring focused data collection while remaining open to unexpected discoveries.
Students identify social phenomena to investigate—defining the demographic/group, confirming access, and establishing scholarly exploration focus. They review literature to understand current research and identify gaps.
Students state 3-5 clear objectives focusing on understanding (not solving), using action verbs like understand, examine, explore, analyze. They formulate three specific hypotheses representing potential findings.
Students design comprehensive surveys—selecting target populations, determining sample sizes (50-200), creating well-designed questions (15-30), choosing administration methods, and planning analysis strategies.
Students design comprehensive interviews—selecting participants, determining interview targets (15-25), creating open-ended questions (10-20), choosing interview structures, planning recording methods, and developing thematic analysis approaches.
Students execute both research methods systematically—administering surveys to achieve target sample sizes and conducting interviews with diverse participants. They document processes thoroughly, ensuring ethical practices.
Students analyze survey data statistically and interview data thematically. They explicitly address each hypothesis, identifying both supporting and contradicting evidence. They compile findings into formal research reports.
Students naturally curious about why people think, feel, and behave as they do. NIP channels curiosity into systematic inquiry.
Those who value understanding people's lived experiences and perspectives, not just observing behavior from distance.
Participants who appreciate both quantitative patterns (surveys) and qualitative depth (interviews), recognizing each provides unique insights.
Students interested in psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, public health, or any field studying human behavior and social phenomena.
While both NIP (Inquiry Innovation) and NIR (Academic Innovation) involve systematic investigation, they differ significantly in formality, methodology, and purpose.
Purpose: Understanding social phenomena through systematic inquiry. The focus is on insight and comprehension.
Methodology: Specifically surveys (50-200) + interviews (15-25). Fixed dual-method approach.
Deliverable: Research report with integrated quantitative and qualitative findings.
Purpose: Hypothesis testing and contributing to theoretical understanding. The focus is on scientific knowledge advancement.
Methodology: Any scientific approach (experimental, observational, correlational). Flexible methodology selection.
Deliverable: 15-25 page formal academic research paper with testable hypotheses.
NIP provides systematic training in social research, teaching students that understanding human behavior and social phenomena requires both breadth (patterns across many people) and depth (rich insights from individual experiences). Through designing surveys, conducting interviews, analyzing diverse data types, and synthesizing findings, students learn that inquiry is a disciplined craft—not just asking questions, but asking the right questions in the right ways.