Intro to research

Question 1

Why is research carried out?

Answer 1

develop our informed understanding of the world

• to develop our critical thinking
• develop key skills for employability

Question 2

What is research?

Answer 2

Research is a systematic process of discovery and advancement
of human knowledge’ (Gratten & Jones, 2004, p. 4.)

Question 3

What are the two main types of research?

Answer 3

Qualitative and Quantitative

Question 4

What is qualitative research?

Answer 4

Qualitative research is an umbrella heading covering various
research approaches in the social sciences.
• Unstructured data
• Ideographic (specificity)

Question 5

What is quantitative research?

Answer 5

Quantitative research involves a systematic examination of
phenomena through testing a hypothesis
• Nomothetic (generalizability)

Question 6

What is ontology?

Answer 6

Ontology is concerned with the nature of reality

• Our belief in reality and truth

Question 7

What is epistemology?

Answer 7

Our understanding of knowledge

• How and what can we know about reality / truth?

Question 8

What is methodology?

Answer 8

– How we find out what (we believe) is real.

Question 9

What is a method?

Answer 9

a tool for collecting data

Question 10

How do quantitative and qualitative compare in terms of ontology?

Answer 10

. opposite ends of the ontology spectrum
. Positivist paradigm
(Quantitative research) –
reality is fixed, stable/
universal ‘laws’ exist
. Interpretivist paradigm
(Qualitative research) – reality
is multiple and relative

Question 11

How do quantitative and qualitative compare in terms of epistemology?

Answer 11

. opposite ends of the spectrum
. quantitaive- knowledge is objective
. qualitiative knowledge/reality is subjective

Question 12

What is positivist research?

Answer 12

. The goal of research is to produce objective knowledge

. The scientific method is the best approach to understanding how physical and human events occur

Question 13

What is interpretivist research?

Answer 13

Meanings exist in our interpretations of the world

Knowledge is interpretation

Question 14

What is the research journey?

Answer 14

1. Defining the Research Problem (Literature Review, Research Question /Hypothesis)
2. Study Design (Research Approach, Method, Ethics, Sampling)
3. Data Collection
4. Data Management
5. Data Analysis, Data Interpretation
6. Writing Up, (Scientific Guidelines, Demonstrating Quality)