Core 1 - Research Methodology

Question 1

What does conducting research allow us to do?

Answer 1

→ Advance Knowledge
→ Increase Understanding
→ Educate Others
→ Inform Practice

Question 2

What is a Research Question?

Answer 2

Is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue. It is the initial step in a research project.

eg. What happens to an adolescent females physical activity levels in high school? (Open)
eg. Do the physical activity levels of adolescent females increase or decrease in high school? (Closed)

Question 3

What is a Hypothesis?

Answer 3

A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

eg. An adolescent females physical activity levels decrease when they reach high school.
eg. Adolescent females are reaching the Australian Guidelines for physical activity.

Question 4

Define Sample Methods.

Answer 4

The methods used to choose the sample group

Question 5

What are the Different Types of Sample Methods?

Answer 5

→ Random Sampling 
→ Systematic Sampling 
→ Cluster Sampling
→ Convenience Sampling 
→ Stratified Sampling

Question 6

Define Random Sampling

Answer 6

Selecting people so everyone has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 7

Define Systematic Sampling

Answer 7

Choosing one number at random and then every nth unit after this random start.

Question 8

Define Cluster Sampling

Answer 8

Dividing a population into clusters and random selection is made within these clusters.

Question 9

Define Convenience Sampling

Answer 9

When a researcher selects people because they are easily located. These results have the lowest credibility.

Question 10

Define Stratified Sampling

Answer 10

A process in which a population is divided into strata groups and the researcher can ensure that there is a more balanced reputation in each of the strata groups and that the groups can be compared with each other in similar proportions to the whole population.

Question 11

Define Sample Groups.

Answer 11

The groups chosen as the sample for the study to be under taken.

Question 12

Define Sample Size

Answer 12

The number of people who will participate in the research methods

Question 13

What are the Types of Data?

Answer 13

→ Primary
→ Secondary
→ Quantitative
→ Qualitative

Question 14

Define Primary Data

Answer 14

Collecting ‘new’ data, that is, data that does not exist before the research is undertaken.

eg. the researcher might use interviews and questionnaires in order to collect data from various people and the data has not been previously collected and interpreted.

Question 15

Define Secondary Data

Answer 15

Collecting data from existing research.

eg. The researcher might collect data and information from a number of secondary sources such as books and journals. He or she will then collate the collected data and interpret it by looking for recurring arguments, themes and conclusions.

Question 16

Define Quantitative Data

Answer 16

Measuring or collecting facts in the form of numbers and drawing relationships between facts through statistical analysis and experimentation.

eg. Show percentages or ratios, Compare numbers in text, Visually represent the amounts or levels of something in tables or graphs.

Question 17

Define Qualitative Data

Answer 17

Collecting non-numerical data to provide an explanation for something.

eg. Compare people’s opinions or ideas or Present arguments for and against something

Question 18

What are the Sources of Data?

Answer 18

→ Individuals
→ Groups
→ Print
→ Digital

Question 19

How are Individuals a Source of Data?

Answer 19

Individuals/people can be sources of primary data, which can be collected by means of surveys, case studies or observations.

eg.
→ People in a particular context, such as a workplace, school, home or sporting event
→ A range of people from all walks of life
→ People involved in a particular situation, such as a celebration, a community event, conflict, parenting or caring.

Question 20

How are Groups a Source of Data?

Answer 20

Organisations and other groups can be sources of primary data, which can be collected by means of surveys, case studies and observations. They can also be sources of secondary data, which can be collected by means of literature reviews.

eg.
→ Staff of a particular organisation, such as nurses or childcare workers
→ Experts in a particular field, such as marine biologists or university lecturers
→ Particular groups within the community, such as families, young people or elderly people
→ Pamphlets or brochures produced by an organisation
→ Data previously collected by an organisation, such as by the Australian Bureau of Statistics or the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Question 21

How is Print a Source of Data?

Answer 21

Print sources can be used to collect secondary data by means of literature reviews.

eg. 
→ Newspaper articles
→ Books, including biographies and autobiographies
→ Journals
→ Magazines
→ Encyclopaedias
→ Research reports
→ Annual reports
→ Pamphlets and brochures.

Question 22

How is Digital a Source of Data?

Answer 22

Electronic sources can be used to collect secondary data in the form of electronic publications and case studies. They can also be used to collect primary data through observation.

eg. 
→ Websites
→ Television programs
→ Videos
→ DVDs
→ CD-ROMs
→ Radio programs.

Question 23

Define Reliability.

Answer 23

Consistency of research findings

Question 24

Define Validity.

Answer 24

The legitimacy of findings, refers to nature of entire research process and justification of results

Question 25

What are the 4 components of Ethical Behaviour?

Answer 25

→ Respect
→ Integrity
→ Privacy
→ Bias

Question 26

Define Respect.

Answer 26

To show respect for your research participants you need to remember the following principles.
→Voluntary participation—people must not be forced or pressured into participating in your research.
→ Informed consent—potential research participants must be fully informed about the procedures and risks involved in your research, and must give their consent to participate.
→ Risk of harm—you must not put participants in a situation where they might be at risk of harm, either physically or emotionally, as a result of their participation

Question 27

Define Integrity.

Answer 27

The researcher should:
→ Document all data accurately and truthfully. Any conclusions you make should be based on accurately recorded data.

Integrity of the data:
→ Appendix—any questionnaires, tapes of interviews or observational notes you conducted should be available.
→ Bibliography—the materials you use and their sources should be recorded and dated.
→ Clear records—your records must show exactly what research methods you used and how you conducted them.

Question 28

Define Privacy.

Answer 28

As a researcher you need to remember the following two main principles of privacy:
→ Participant confidentiality—always ensure that participants are aware that their personal information will not be made available to anyone who is not directly involved in your research project.
→ Anonymity—participants should remain anonymous, even to the researchers themselves, unless they have consented otherwise.

Question 29

Define Bias.

Answer 29

Can occur when the researcher or data are influenced in favour of one point of view.

eg.
→ Asking leading questions eg- ‘Why do you prefer family day care over other types of childcare?’
→ Choosing a sampling method that does not reflect the age, gender or culture of the population eg- Distributing questionnaires to three males and fifteen females
→ Recording data that supports your hypothesis rather than being objective eg. Omitting to document behaviours or actions during an observation; subjectively choosing some data results to interpret and analyse

Question 30

What are the 5 Research Methods?

Answer 30

→ Questionnaires 
→ Interviews
→ Case Studies
→ Observations
→ Literature Review

Question 31

What are Questionnaires?

Answer 31

Questionnaires are a useful research tool for
obtaining answers to specific questions from
a variety of individuals or groups. They can
be identified as being both qualitative and
quantitative research methods.
→ Open Ended Questions
→ A set of formally prepared questions that seek information on a person’s knowledge, beliefs, feelings, opinions, likes or dislikes.
→Closed Ended Questions
→ A set of formally prepared questions that seek information on a person’s knowledge, beliefs, feelings, opinions, likes or dislikes.

Question 32

What are Interviews?

Answer 32

Interviews are a qualitative research method that is used for obtaining information. They can be classified as being structured or unstructured.
→ Structured Interviews
→ A conversation between two or more people in which the interview has been planned with a set of predetermined questions developed by the researcher.
→Unstructured Interviews
→ A discussion between two or more people in which the interview is more informal, with the researcher planning areas for discussion without developing the actual questions.

Question 33

What are Case Studies?

Answer 33

Case studies are a qualitative research
method that researchers use to gain a deep understanding of a complex issue. It is a contextual analysis of a specific situation or state of affairs and the influences and effects that ensue.

Question 34

What are Observations?

Answer 34

Observational research is divided into two approaches:
→ Participant observation
→ Participant observation occurs when the researcher immerses himself or herself in the environment
he or she is researching in.
→ Non-participant observation.
→ Non-participant observation occurs when the
researcher observes the functioning of a group from
a distance without interacting with his or
her subjects.

Question 35

What are Literature Reviews?

Answer 35

A literature review is a piece of writing that is aimed
at comparing and contrasting other people’s work,
and should be a critical review of a specific area of
study.

Question 36

What is the Research Process?

Answer 36

→ Planning for Research
→ Conducting Research
→ Interpreting Research

Question 37

What is Involved in Planning for Research?

Answer 37

Formulating a research proposal
→ A research proposal is a document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of the proposed program.

Managing resources
→ Time
→ Keep to the deadlines set in the task outline
→ Set aside time every day or so to work on the task
→ Make full use of the time allocated in class
→ Materials
→ Use only what is needed but enough to ensure good results
→ Outsource if necessary
→ Have extra in case more is needed later on

Question 38

What is Involved in Conducting Research?

Answer 38

→ Accessing sources of data
→ Collecting and recording data
→ Documenting actions and issues

Question 39

What is Involved in Interpreting Research?

Answer 39

→ Presenting research findings
→ Analysing research results
→ Drawing conclusions from research