Chapter 1 - Research Methodology Flashcards
What are the 3 key purposes of Research?
- Discover Truth
- Learn something new that no other person has
- Ask new questions to which no answer has been found.
Research is a _______ process.
step-wise
What are two characteristics of a step-wise Research process?
- Observable
- Logically Ordered
What are the simplified steps of the research process?
- See a problem
- Collect facts
- Make a decision (Based on facts)
- Find a solution
What is research guided by?
A reasonable guess at what is causing the problem and what we need to know in order to solve the problem
Define a Fact:
An event or thing that is known to have happened, to exist, and to be true.
What are facts based on?
Experience & Scientific Evidence
Define a Hypothesis:
A proposed explanation of an observed phenomenon and its cause.
How are hypotheses formulated?
As statements
How are hypotheses tested?
Through research
True or False: It must be possible to refute any scientific hypothesis.
True
Define a Theory:
A broader term referring to a set of laws, rules and explanations.
How are theories supported?
By a large body of experimental and observational evidence that leads to robust and internally consistent conclusions.
What was the precursor to modern research methodology and approaches?
Ancient Greeks and the Study of Philosophy
What was a major set back to research?
The Middle Ages
Why were the Middle Ages a setback to research?
Religious and supernatural beliefs replaced logic / observation / factual based thinking.
When did approaches to modern research improve after the Middle Ages?
In the Renaissance Period (14 - 17 century)
What are the names of some pivotal figures that used the roots of modern research approaches in their work?
- Galileo
- Copernicus
- Leonardo
The word _______ is often one of the most misused worlds in the English language.
research
Define Research***:
A studious inquiry or examination, especially a critical and exhaustive investigation or experimentation.
What is the aim of Research? ***
- Discovery of new facts and their correct interpretation
- Revision of accepted conclusions theories or laws in the light of newly discovered facts; or
- Practical application of such conclusions, theories or laws.
How many characteristics are in the basic research procedure?
8
What are the 8 characteristics of a Basic Research Procedure?
- Begins in the mind of the researcher
- Clear Statement of Goals
- Plan of the procedure
- Problems vs. Subproblems
- Hypothesis construction
- Assumptions
- Data for research
- Helical or Circular process
What are some key components of planning a research method?
a. Logical plan and ideas to reach goals
b. Answer honestly
c. Carefully planned attack
True or False: Hypotheses are tentative, they can be a hunch, intuitive feeling or educated guess.
True
What are two aspects of assumptions in a Research Procedure?
- Sets a foundation for your research (Self evident truths)
- Others need to know assumptions
What are the three types of Data?
- Specific
- Measurable
- Open to Interpretation
______ must be arranged or manipulated so a discovery of its meaning can be made.
Data
What are the two types of Research Processes?
- Helical
- Circular
Define Quantitative data:
Quantitative Data can be counted, measured, and expressed using numbers.
Define Qualitative Data:
Qualitative Data is descriptive and conceptual.
How is Qualitative Data categorized?
Based on traits and characteristics.
Define Deductive Logic:
Conclusions are drawn from initial assumptions.
Provide an example of Deductive Logic:
Premise: All birds have feathers
Example: Eagles are birds
Deductive Conclusion: Eagles have feathers.
Define Inductive Logic:
Conclusions are drawn from evidence and results of experiments.
Provide an example of an Inductive Conclusion:
I ate three green apples and all were sour.
Therefore, all green apples are sour.
What is a Confounding Variable Dilemma?
A confounding variable is a factor other than the one being studied that is associated both with the dependent variable and with the factor independent variable.
Provide an example of a Confounding Variable Dilemma:
Surprise is the confounding variable here:
1. If at first you don’t succeed, you are probably not related to the boss.
2. People who are related to the boss succeed the very first time.
What must you do before presenting a Confounding Variable to participants?
Tell participants beforehand that there will be humorous and non-humourous sentences and that the sentences would be labeled as such.
What are five key ways to understand the Research Methodology:
1) It is a process of thinking
2) See a problem
3) Get the facts
4) Make a decision
5) Find a solution
What are 5 aspects of the Modern Research Procedure?
- Problem is detected.
- Facts are observable and logical .
- Collection of data is guided by reasonable guess (hypothesis)
- Confirm or reject hypothesis, based on facts
- Ends with a conclusion
a. Final conclusion derived from approval/rejection of hypothesis.
b. Conclusion resolves problem
What is Independent data?
The data is not linked in some way to another in the process.
What are 2 things to know when planning your Design well in advance?
1) Understand the concept of Variation
2) Understanding the concept of Confounding Factors
What is another term for Confounding Factors?
Third Variables
What is another term for Variation?
- Individual Variation
- “Noise”
Define a Confounding Variable:
A confounding factor in a study is a variable which is related to one or more of the variables defined in a study.
What are the 7 methods of Acquiring Knowledge? (TIAFRES)
- Tenacity
- Intuition
- Authority
- Faith
- Rational
- Empirical
- Scientific
Define the Method of Tenacity:
Holding ideas/beliefs simply because we have accepted them as fact or superstition.
Define the Method of Intuition:
Accept information because it is true by belief (“it feels right”).
Define the Method of Authority:
Rely on expert information/answers/opinion. The expert has some appearance of having the education, reason or status in society that could indicate that the expert opinion is valid.
Define the Method of Faith:
Much like Authority but we rely on an authority with no questioning of the credentials, and the authority has not demonstrated expertise in area of interest.
Define the Rational Method:
Seeks answers by logical reasoning.
-We use known facts and assumptions, and logically assess their relationship to one another and develop an answer or conclusion to a question.
-The problem is that the premise may not be correct and thus the reasoning is invalid.
What is the Rational Method also known as?
Rationalism
Define the Empirical Method:
Uses personal observation or your direct senses to experience the world and gain knowledge and then interpret them. Two people may perceive the same event quite differently or draw different conclusions.
Provide an example of the Empirical Method to acquiring knowledge:
For centuries people believed the world is flat because it
appears to be flat
What are the 4 features of the Scientific Method of acquiring knowledge?
a) Form a question (from observing a behaviour or other phenomena)
b) Form a tentative hypothesis
c) Test your hypothesis to determine how you
would test your explanation in a systemic planned approach of observation and
d) Accept / reject your hypothesis.
Define Pseudoscience:
A group of ideas or statements that may resemble the scientific method or be called science but lacks the key components or basic approaches of the scientific method.
What are some characteristics of Pseudoscience?
- Negative results are ignored
- Biased
- Subjective
- Based on unproven or untested outcomes
What makes a difference in data significance?
When you test for the differences in a statistically and experimentally robust manner and rule out the effect of random variation or chance before concluding that differences are in fact caused by a ‘treatment’ or other measurable factor.
Define an Independent Variable:
A variable (factor) that interests the researcher.
Why are Independent Variables important to a study?
It is the key component of the research that a researcher would like to manipulate to see if has a significant effect on or within a system of interest.
Define a Dependent Variable:
This variable is an indicator of the state of the independent variable.
Define an Extraneous Variable:
Others variables that could be measured in the study (Gender, age, time, etc.)
What makes a variable Extraneous?
If they are not taken into account
Define Manipulation:
In carefully planned research experiments the researcher
(through the hypothesis setting process) often manipulates the
state of the independent variable.
When does manipulation often occur?
Through the hypothesis setting process.
Why is Manipulation part of the hypothesis setting process?
It can assist in lowering the impact of the confounding variables.
Define Simulation:
A process where a researcher creates conditions within an experiment that simulate or closely match the natural environment which the
factors or behaviours being examined would normally occur.
Define Observational:
To observe but do not interfere and record existing situation or interactions etc.
Do you try to manipulate the Independent or Dependent variable?
Independent
Is Empirical Research inductive or deductive?
Inductive
Is Rational Research Inductive or Deductive?
Deductive
Developing a good Experimental design requires ___________ & _____________.
Common Sense & Careful Planning
When developing a good Experimental design, you must follow ________ & __________.
- Basic rules of design
- Statistical Analysis Assumptions
Before starting an experimental design, you must ________.
Think of ways to analyze
What kind of data points must be present in a good Experimental Design?
Independent Data points
_____________ is essential to determine if subjects differ.
Variation
Must measure the ________ under controlled circumstances.
variation
