Deck 1

Question 1

What are some of the ways to answer questions about the world?

Answer 1

• E.g. syllogism: simple logic (two prepositions = conclusion)
  You can answer questions about the world using logic, authority, tradition and/ or evidence.

Question 2

What do we need for science?

Answer 2

• Access to the world.
• A model of the world that is fit for purpose.
• Instruments that are good enough.

Question 3

What are the characteristics of scientific research?

Answer 3

• Systematic
• Concerned with reliability and validity
• Theory - dependent
• Objective: non - biased; non - normative (do not state values or opinions)
• Humble (understand the humbleness and make explicit)

Question 4

What are the kinds of questions scientific research answers?

Answer 4

• Descriptive: How large …?
• Correlational e.g. Is it related to …?
• Explanatory: e.g. Is it caused by …?

Question 5

What are the kinds of data scientific research works with?

Answer 5

• Primary data.

- Secondary data

Question 6

What are the sources of data?

Answer 6

• Empirical through observation.

- Non - empirical based logic/ definition, i.e. model.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of qualitative research?

Answer 7

• Textural descriptions rather than numerical variables
• Trying to understand the nature of a phenomenon.
• Relatively unstructured, ie. no strict standardisation in measurements.
• Mostly explorative.

Question 8

What are the characteristics of quantitative research?

Answer 8

• Standardised, structured.
• Tries to find general patterns
• Good for finding prevalence/ extent of a phenomenon.

Question 9

What is applied/ practice-oriented vs. fundamental research?

Answer 9

In applied research the goal is to solve a practical problem. In theory-oriented research the goal is to generate knowledge for the sake of generating knowledge.

Question 10

What is theory-oriented/ fundamental research cycle (empirical cycle)? Describe the steps.

Answer 10

It is generation and falsification of theories, starting with a knowledge gap.

1. Observation – You have empirical observations about something in the world
2. Induction – Based on observations, general statement(s) about the world are inferred (induction = reasoning from the specific to the abstract. Bottom-up reasoning)
3. Deduction – Based on general statements, logically derive expectations (hypotheses) about a specific case (deduction = reasoning from the abstract to the specific. Top-down reasoning)
4. Testing – Data is examined to test if it is consistent with the hypothesis
5. Evaluation – Results from testing phase are compared to hypotheses and conclusions are drawn about the hypotheses (and the underlying theory)

Question 11

Describe the steps of the regulative cycle?

Answer 11

1. Problem identification: What is the problem? Sometimes problem is unknown and becomes visible after research (screening). If we know the kind of problem, then we may investigate the extent of the problem.
2. Diagnosis: What is the cause of the problem? Research aiming at finding the causes of the problem, especially those that can be manipulated.
3. Design: What can we do to solve the problem? Largely something policy-makers do, but researchers may aid by checking the feasibility of proposed plans, investigating optimal/efficient ways of setting up an intervention, or doing a pre-ante evaluation through a pilot test.
4. Monitoring implementation: Intervention is implemented, progress is monitored. research in order to measure progress and temporary outcomes.
5. Evaluation: Has the problem been solved? Research to assess effectiveness of intervention. Research about benefits vs. costs of intervention.