Collecting evidence and research design Flashcards
what is epistemology?
the very of knowledge, especially in regards to method and validity
justification that distinguishes fact from opinion
- what is viewed as appropriate knowledge
- positivism - scientific methods should be used in social science
- interpretivism
what is evidence based management?
- based on tasing questions and alleging data to underpin effective action
- makes decisions more justified
- different questions require different data and different methods
what is positivism?
assertion that every rationally justified assertion canoe scientifically verified or logical proof
what is interretivism?
interpret elements of the study and therefore include human interests, reflect the distinctiveness of humans
what is the purpose of a study?
positivism and deception
to generate testable hypotheses
research must be conducted in an objective manner
]clear distinction between normative and scientific statements
what is a normative statement?
statement of opinion
what is deduction?
- developing a hypotheses based on existing theory
= theory = hypotheses = data collection = findings = hypotheses confirmed etc = revision of theory
what type of data is usually collected in a deductive research?
quantitative as you want to collect are amount to prove the theory
what is quantitative data and analysis?
characterised by:
- large samples
- precise measurement of variables
- relationships are describes / evaluated in statistical terms
what research design are assoictaied with quantitative data?
- experiments
- sample survey
what is inductive research?
generation of a new theory out of the data
= gather info = ask questions = form categories = look at patterns = develop theory = compare theory
what is the basis of interpretivism?
there is a difference between the explanation of human behaviour and understanding human behaviour
what is an example of inductive research?
Sackman 1992 into organisational cultures
case study approach with an open interviewing techniques focusing on a single value
what data is normally collected in inductive studies?
qualitative as trying to find themes rather than prove n existing theory
what is qualitative data and analysis?
characterised by:
- small samples
- close continental observation
- focuses on the process of subjective conception and interpretation of the social world
what are the research designs associated with qualitative research?
- ethnographic study
- case study
what are the two research paradigms?
interpretivism/inductive/qualitative
positivism/deductive/quantitative
what does incommensurability mean?
no neutral language
feature of research paradigms
what are the advantages of positivist / deductive and quantitative?
economical collection of large amounts of data
clear theoretical focus ar outset
researcher in control throughout
what are the disadvantages of P/D/Q?
- inflexible
- abstraction from important detail
- weak in understanding social processes
- never meets subject
- ignores intangible factors
- focus on individuals
what are the advantages of I/I/ qual?
facilitates understanding of how and why
- change focus during research
- includes non quantifiable factors
what are the disadnatves of I/I/Q?
data collection time consuming
- data analysis not straight forward
- uncertainty clear patterns may not emerge, no way of making sure
- subjective and perceived to be less credible
cannot generalise or replicate
are the two paradigms competing or complimentary?
- inductive approach uses quantitative data
- exploratory surveys
- qualitative variables measured quantitatively
- combining different techniques to study different aspects
- using different methods as a cross check on findings (triangulation)
- both observe a fact and ask why
- advance a tentative (t fixed) exmplanntin
- test whether the hypotheses can explain the facts
so may not be mutually exclusive
what is a research design?
- strategy to implement plan
- framework for research (what informatio, whom and how?)
- foundation for research techniques
- link between research questions and data
- concerned with threats to validity
why is the research deign so important?
determines importance to;
- connections between variables
- generaliabilty
- understanding behaviour and its meaning in specific social context
- having temporal appreciation of social phenomena
what are the four elements of research design?
- comparison
- contort
- manipulation
- generalsatbility
what is internal validity?
- establishing causality between 2 variables
- 3 conditions that need t be met
= X and Y vary together
= Y is affected by X not affected by Z
= Y is affected by X and not X affected by Y
what are examples of z variable?
- moderation variable
- confounding
- intervening
what is a moderating variable
z
second independent variable that affects the relationship between X and Y
e.g. four day week will lead to high productive especially among young workers (Z)
what is the confounding variable?
similar to moderating variable another independent variable
what is the intervening variable?
conceptual mechanisms through which X and MV ugh impact upon Y
what is external validity?
can findings be generalised outside of research context
circa importance of selecting respondents and cases
importance of representative samples in quantitate research
what is ecological validity?
- applicable to everyday nathan settings
- may be valid but does it apply to peoples lives?
what is reliability?
are results repeatable
are measures sonsitent and stable over time
what are the influences on research?
social research is influenced by theory, epistemology, values and beliefs and practical considerations
