9.1 - Research methodology: Research fundamentals

Question 1

Research fundamentals

The purpose of research

Answer 1

• Advance knowledge
• Increase understanding
• Educate others
• Inform practices

REMEMBER:
“Adam’s Knowledge Increased Understandings so he could Educate Others and Inform Practices”

Question 2

Research fundamentals

Research definition

Answer 2

The systematic investigation of sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

Question 3

Research fundamentals

Why do we research

Answer 3

• Allows you to pursue your interests
• Increases our understandings
• Solving skills
• Can help us make informed decisions

Question 4

Research fundamentals

Focus of research - Questioning and hypothesis

Answer 4

Questioning: An answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue.
Example: What happens to adolescents female activity levels in high school?

Hypothesis: An investigation based on limited evidence that may or may not have a definite answer.
Example: An investigation into adolescent female activity levels in high school.

Question 5

Research fundamentals

What are the ethical behaviours?

Answer 5

• Bias
• Integrity
• Respect
• Privacy

Question 6

Research fundamentals

Bias theory summary

Answer 6

A researcher can create bias with their one-sided attitudes and doesn’t give equal chance to a different idea

It is important for a researcher to stay objective.

Question 7

Research fundamentals

How biased can be created

Answer 7

• Asking leading questions
• Choosing the data to be represented
• Not reporting all the data collected

Question 8

Research fundamental

Privacy theory summary

Answer 8

Participants have the right to remain anonymous and for their information to remain private.

Question 9

Research fundamental

How privacy can be created

Answer 9

By giving the person an option to give consent to the interviewer to record their primary data.

Question 10

Research fundamental

Integrity theory summary

Answer 10

• The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
• it needs to be reliable
• The research is about being accountable for your actions.

Question 11

Research fundamental

How integrity can be created

Answer 11

• Documenting all your actions truthfully and accounting
• Using a project diary is useful to document your results from your research and making accurate conclusions in your research that are objective.

Question 12

Research fundamental

Integrity of the data

Answer 12

Integrity shows exactly where your data has come from and how you have been able to draw from your conclusions

• Can be proven by placing all your research in the appendix.

Question 13

Research fundamental

Respect theory summary

Answer 13

• It is important for a researcher to shoe respect to the participants.
• If the participants do not feel respected or trust in you, they may not participate or give truthful answers.

Question 14

Research fundamental

To show respect you must

Answer 14

• Ensure participants know that their participation is voluntary and they can stop at anytime.
• Not put them in a physical or emotional harm.
• Get consent

Question 15

Research fundamental

Sample methods

(how it is chosen)

Answer 15

How the group is chosen:

• Random
• Systematic
• Cluster
• Convenience
• Stratified

Question 16

Research fundamental

Sample method: Random

Answer 16

Everyone in the population has an equal chance of being chosen.

Question 17

Research fundamental

Sample method: Random positives and negatives

Answer 17

Positive:

• Equal chance
• Random final sample group

Negative:

• Some people chosen may not suit the topic
• The final group can be part of one category e.g. girls only

Question 18

Research fundamental

Sample method: Systematic

Answer 18

• Desired sample size
• still random
• e.g. every fifth name

Question 19

Research fundamental

Sample method: Systematic positives and negatives

Answer 19

Positive:

• Random final sample group
• Ensure biased is avoided
• Is reliable

Negative:
- Final sample group could be all one type

Question 20

Research fundamental

Sample method: Cluster

Answer 20

• Various subgroups in the sample

- The cluster has commonalities between them

Question 21

Research fundamental

Sample method: Cluster positives and negatives

Answer 21

Positive:

• Is reliable
• Gives a good representation

Negative:
- Hard to use for a small project

Question 22

Research fundamental

Sample method: Convenience

Answer 22

• People chosen may not suit the topic
• Results are not reliable
• Creates bias within the project

Question 23

Research fundamental

Sample method: Convenience positives and negatives

Answer 23

Positives:
- Easy for the researcher especially within a time frame

Negatives:

• People chosen may not suit the topic
• Results are not reliable as they don’t represent a whole
• Creates bias

Question 24

Research fundamental

Sample method: Stratified

Answer 24

• Categories the population in groups e.g. Male or Female

- Randomly chooses a sample of each group

Question 25

Research fundamental

Sample method: Stratified positive and negative

Answer 25

positive:

• Matches the topic
• More reliable and credible
• Less likely to be biased

Question 26

Research fundamental

Sample Group

Answer 26

• Final group that the researcher has chose for its topic.
• the group will ideally include a
  diverse group of people who differ based on demographic factors
  -

Question 27

Research fundamental

Sample Size

Answer 27

• The size of the sample will mostly depend on the scale of the study.

Question 28

Research fundamental

Types of Data

Answer 28

• Primary and secondary

- Qualitative and quantitative

Question 29

Research fundamental

Types of Data: Primary and secondary

Answer 29

Primary:
- Involves collecting ‘new’ data, that is, data that
does not exist before the research is undertaken.

Secondary:
- Involves collecting data from existing research.

Question 30

Research fundamental

Types of Data: Qualitative and quantitative

Answer 30

Qualitative:

• Collects information in a social context.
• More detail about beliefs, feelings, values and attitudes.
• Includes observations, interviews, case studies and questionnaires.

Quantitative:

• Collects numerical data.
• Focuses on measuring, collecting and drawing relationships between facts through statistical analysis.
• Includes questionnaires and interviews.

Question 31

Research fundamental

Sources of data

Answer 31

Individuals
groups
digital
print

Question 32

Research fundamental

Sources of data: Individuals ans groups

Answer 32

Researchers can collect and record data from individuals and groups in the form of interviews and questionnaires.

Question 33

Research fundamental

Sources of data: Digital and prints

Answer 33

Researchers can collect and record data from print and digital means in the form of a case study (primary) or literature review (secondary).

• Any information in a hard copy

Question 34

Research fundamental

Reliability and validity

Answer 34

Reliability: Consistency in relation to the research findings.

An example of an unreliable project is to compare a project conducted on the northern beaches vs the same research project done using people across the nation using different research methodologies

Validity: legitimacy in relation to the findings – the test has to test the correct thing.

For example – a valid project is when the findings include referenced sources of information from people, organisations, electronic sources,
libraries and print sources.