Chapter 1 Flashcards
What is a qualitative study? What does it deal with?
Qualitative research deals with data involving qualities, often expressed in words or images. Its aim is to grasp nuances about the social world.
What is a quantitative study? What does it deal with?
Quantitative research deals with data involving quantities, often expressed in numbers and statistics. The researcher is interested in drawing conclusions about general tendencies.
What is basic research? When do results show?
It is a type of study that is guided by the interest of the researcher. Hence, it has great liberty. Its aim is to test a hypothesis. The results show up after years, during which other studies on the same topic have accumulated.
What is applied research? When do results show?
It is a type of study that is demanded by an employer. The study is conducted by an employee (researcher) but he will not be the one analysing the data. The employer will analyse that data, being able to highlight or ignore certain aspects. The employer needs these studies in order to guide their decision making process. Results are provided immediately and often the findings are not made public.
What are other types of applied research?
Evaluation research is designed to find out whether, for example, a new marketing campaign is effective (Does it work?).
Action research treats knowledge as a form of power and it is mostly used in political and social work campaigns.
Social Impact Assessment (SIA) research is used to estimate the likely consequences of a planned intervention and to suggest ways to mitigate changes likely to be adverse.
What is an exploratory study?
Exploratory studies (What?) represent a new examination that a researcher develops in order to gain knowledge about a new area and its issues. It is usually used as a basis for other studies in a similar topic. A researcher may need to conduct an exploratory study in order to know enough to design and execute a second one, hence testing the feasibility of that topic.
What is a descriptive study?
Descriptive studies (How? Who?) are aimed at describing various characteristics of a phenomena, assuming that you already possess basic information about it. This nuanced and detailed approach allows the researcher to understand an issue at a deeper level.
What is an explanatory study?
Explanatory studies (Why?) are aimed at explaining why things are in a certain way. Such studies often examine whether a theory can explain new situations.
What is a cross-sectional study?
Cross-sectional studies look at a group of people and measure it at a single point in time. This alternative is simple and less costly but it cannot capture social processes or change.
What is a longitudinal study?
Longitudinal studies look at a group of people or a single unit and measure them at more than one moment in time. This alternative is costly and complex but it is powerful and informative. The researchers also do follow-up analyses, finding out whether things have changed.
What is a case study?
Case studies are focused on a single unit or on a group that is measured for multiple times, providing detailed and varied information. In the case of this study we closely observe the unfolding development of many complex features and situate the case within a specific historical and cultural context.
What are the stages of the empirical circle?
select topic -> narrow down topic into a research question -> learn about the topic -> design the study -> gather data -> analyse data -> interpret data -> inform others
