Exam final Flashcards
Exploratory research
study a new issue
topic been explored but not specifically
learn existence of new issue and understand it
orient future research
Descriptive research
Descriptive
Phenomenon exists but don’t know HOW
Describe/characterize population and phenomenon
Explanatory research
Understand WHY
Reasons misunderstood
relationship between variable not explained
Causes and effects of variables
Predict future
Operationalize
- Identify & define the target concepts
- Identify indicators for variables
Sgt: standardized, reliable, facilitate measurement
Wk: diff. ways of measure & define
Quantitative research
Positivism
Test hypotheses -> explain/predict relationships
Deductive (top-down), linear, inflexible
Large sample size -> random sampling
Standardized measurement tools/protocol
Qualitative research
Interpretivism, Social constructivism
Explore new/complex phenomenon
In-depth understanding
Inductive (bottom-up)
Dynamic/flexible
Small sample -> purposeful sampling
Open/flexible data collection/protocol
Participatory approches charac + st/wk
Quali type: understand phenomenon
New perspective by getting closer
Focus group!
Strg: adapted methods/intervention, skill development, facilitate knowledge->action, value exp of actors
Wk: long process, need training, reach actors, instrumentalization
Target pop
Entire group that you want to study
Justified: based off issue
Accessible pop
What you can actually measure
Depends on context and ressources
Sample
Subset of accessible pop
People who take part in research
How is a sample eligible
Inclusion criteria
Coherence between sample and R. Topic
Scientifically supported
Exclusion criteria
Ethical considerations
Reduce irrelevant data
Sampling
How do you reach out to accessible pop
Probabilistic sampling techniques characteristics
Representativity
Generalizability
Random selection
Simple random samples
Probabilistic Samp. Tech.
Sampling frame
Number potential participants
Randomly select individuals (random number table)
Systematic sampling
Probabilistic Samp. Tech.
Sampling frame: list all members of accessible pop
Randomly select individuals: start at K and take one each N
Stratified sampling
Probabilistic Samp. Tech
Divide accessible pop in subgroups (sex, age, sport, …)
Draw a sample from each subgroups
Cluster sampling
Probabilistic Samp. Tech
Divide accessible pop in subgroups
Select a whole subgroup
Probabilistic Sampling technique Strengths & weak
Strg: Representative samples, generalizable, less bias
Wk: Cost heavy, High skill and exp, May not rep minorities
Non-Probabilistic Sampling Techniques characteristics
Describe/explore small groups
Explore phenomenon unknown
Understand perspective of particular individuals
Purposive sampling
Non-prob samp. tech
Identify perspective sought regarding topic of interest
Identify diversification criteria -> sample from diff experience/background
Snowball sampling
Non-prob samp. tech
Rely on initial participants to identify/recruit new participants
Stigmatized pop
Useful for groups unfamiliar to researchers
Quota sampling
Non-prob samp. tech
Identify categories important to study
Subgroups are created
Select participants from each subgroup
Subject to subjectivity (we chose from each subgroup)
Convenience sampling
Non-prob samp. tech
Use easily accessible pop: proximity, ressource, availability
FOR EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
Non-Probabilistic Sampling Technique strengths & weakness
Strengths: fast and simple, inexpensive, target specific experiences
Wk: more risk of biases, lack of representativity of target pop, cannot generalize
Sampling biases
Access to invitation & recruitment strategies (fliers, poster, adds)
Personal interests from participants
Survey research strengths & weakness
Quantitative method
Strengths
Large amount of data
Quick answer/ collection
Details about large pop
Describe characteristics of pop or phenomenon
Investigate opinions/behaviours
Cost-effective
Weakness
Single instrument
Validity of results (social desirability, biases of who participate)
Risk of missing data
Misunderstood questions
Survey vs Questionaire
Survey: large pop, an actual research method, stats analysis, draw conclusions
Questionnaire: 1 on 1, just for info, no analysis
Cross-sectional
Survey
Administered once (particular point in time)
Doesn’t consider evolution (SNAP PICTURE = No long term assessment)
Longitudinal
Survey
Repeated observations
Assessment over a long period of time
Risk of attrition
Trend survey
Longitudinal survey
Evolution of behaviours, opinions and characteristics
Look for trends -> not necessarily same people each time
Panel
Longitudinal survey
Audience surveyed multiple times -> relationship between variables
Same people each time (cost heavy + attrition)
Cohort study
Longitudinal survey
Track changes overtime
Regularly survey people of same category: not necessarily same individuals
Within-subject/group design
Measure change over time
Effect of an intervention
Same people in repeated testing
Strg: smaller sample, statistically powerful
Wk: Practice effets, order effects, effects of time (personal life), attrition
Between-subjects/groups design
T-/T+ -> random assignment
Compare groups
Strg: reduce carryover effects, limit fatigue, shorter in time
Wk: larger sample size
Quasi-experimental research characteristics
Quantitative
Quiz depress vs non-depress indiv. (innate charac)
Test causal relationships between variables
No random assignment
Control group is not mandatory
Field experiments
Types of quasi-exp researches
One group Post-test only
Dep variable measured after
No comparison group
One group Pre-test/Post-test
Single group performs experiment and dep variable is measured before and after
Non-exp research
Start anti-bullying program and compare (can’t manip bullying)
Useful when you can’t manipulate independent variable
Explore non-causal relationships
Correlational research charca + st/wk
Quantitative
Non-exp method
Strength/direction of relationships between variable
strg
Explore unknown or potential relationships
Develop theories/hypotheses
Unable to manipulation indep variable
wk:
Infer causation
Can’t explain the why of relationship
Ethnography characteristics
Social Constructivism
Field research: in context, natural environment, observe phenomenon
Understand: activities and process, behaviours, meaning, social interactions, group communication = way of living
Ethnography interviews
Informal interviews: spontaneous, unstructured, flexible, natural environment
Formal interviews: planned, semi-structured, private space
Ethnography Strenghts & Weaknesses
Strg:
Privileged access to situations, uncover sensitive information, study in original context, uncover unconscious behaviours
Wk:
Large amount of details, small sample, demanding for researcher, heterogenous data sources
Focus groups
Qualitative data collection method
Group of individuals with certains characteristics to talk about a certain issue/topic
Research steps
- Choose topic
- Review literature
- Formulate the problem
- Develop the R.Q
- Chose/Organize R.Design
- Gather data
- Analyse data
- Interpret data
- Communicate findings
Qualitative scientific rigour
Subjectivity of participants’ perspective and context
Quality of research process (respect objectives)
How to ensure credibility (qualitative)
Flexible approach, transcription of data
Account for subjectivity of researcher and participants (Reflexivity)
Account for natural context of phenomenon (contextualize)
Data triangulation (multiple sources point to same direction)
Transferability of research
Transfer data to other individuals
Describe participants, context and environment
Scientific rigour quantitative research
External validity: random sampling (generalizable, representative)
Internal validity: trustworthy data, presence of biases and errors
Referencing
Credibility/plagiarism/contextualization
APA
1,3 authors -> (x, 2000, (x,y & z, 2000)
3+ -> (x et al., 2000)
4 parts
authors, date, title of article, publication information
Parts separated by period and sub-sections by commas
Research proposal
Use: ethical approval, scientific evaluation, scholarships
Explain research problem
Justify need of study
Suggest method -> what and how you will do it
