Introduction to Research

Question 1

Knowledge vs Imagination in research

Answer 1

Both play a role in nearly all research, and in many of the decisions we make on a daily basis.

Question 2

Where do we obtain knowledge?

Answer 2

Oftentimes the goal of research is to generate knowledge

Question 3

What are the characteristics of research?

Answer 3

Systematic
Logical
Empirical
Reductive
Replicable

Question 4

Systematic

Answer 4

Problems, methods, data analysis, interpretations, conclusions
The general flow of how the research process operates.

Question 5

Logical

Answer 5

Others can evaluate conclusions drawn

Question 6

Empirical

Answer 6

Conclusions based on data

Question 7

Reductive

Answer 7

Data used to establish general relationships

Question 8

Replicable

Answer 8

The research process is recorded and others can repeat or build on that research

Question 9

Independent Variables (IV)

Answer 9

The variable that is being manipulated or changed
Researcher wants to determine if changing this variable will impact the dependent variable

Question 10

Dependent Variables (DV)

Answer 10

The variable(s) that may or may not change, based on how the researcher manipulates the independent variable

Question 11

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Answer 11

Step 1: Developing the Problem
Step 2: Formulating the Hypothesis
Step 3: Gathering the Data
Step 4: Analyzing and Interpreting the Results

Question 12

Step 1: Developing the Problem

Answer 12

Identification of the IV and DV

Question 13

Step 2: Formulating the Hypothesis

Answer 13

Hypothesis = the anticipated outcome of a study or experiment

Question 14

Step 3: Gathering the Data

Answer 14

Testing internal and external validity
Internal validity = extent to which the results can be attributed to the treatments used in the study (extraneous variables)
Extraneous variables = what might impact the study
External validity = the generalizability of the results (how results relate to public)

Question 15

What are the types of research?

Answer 15

quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods

Question 16

Quantitative Research

Answer 16

For theory testing, describing status on variables and looking for relationships among variables.
Involves measurement and statistics. Researcher is uninvolved in data collection.
Protection against researcher bias.
Set structure for writing up the study (intro, literature and theory, methods, results, and discussion).
Usually has greater number of participants to ensure the statistic are not a “fluke”

Question 17

Qualitative Research

Answer 17

For exploring and understanding meanings ascribed by individuals or groups.
Emergent questions and procedures.
Get experiences/perspectives from people.
Generation of themes from the particulars.
A view that is shared among participants.
Researcher is part of meaning-making process (more involved).
Researcher bias is acknowledged and accepts.
Usually smaller number of participants with focus on in-depth/rich understanding of phenomena (typically less than 15 people).

Question 18

Mixed Methods Research

Answer 18

Combination of quantitative and qualitative research.
Many potential ways to conduct.
Concurrent vs sequential components (on component is conducted then the other, or both conducted at the same time).

Question 19

Philosophical Worldviews

Answer 19

Researcher’s basic set of beliefs about the general orientation of the world and the nature of research.
Other terms relevant to and encompassed by philosophical worldviews include ontology and epistemology.
Creswell and Creswell (2018) identified four worldviews which include postpositivism, constructivism, transformative (advocacy/participatory), and pragmatism.

Question 20

Ontology

Answer 20

A researcher’s belief in the nature of truth and reality, or general orientation to the world.

Question 21

Epistemology

Answer 21

A researcher’s belief about how we acquire knowledge about truth and reality, or the nature of research.

Question 22

Tranformative vs Advocacy/Participatory

Answer 22

Very similar to each other.
Researchers with transformative worldview will employ quantitative or qualitative (or mixed methods) research designs, as opposed to only qualitative.

Question 23

Postpositivism

Answer 23

Based on the notion of a single reality and objective truth.
Associated with the scientific method.
Tied to quantitative method.
Research should be unbiased and objective (not involved)
The belief that a reality exists, which science can study, and that reality is not based on what an individual thinks it to be.

Question 24

Constructivism

Answer 24

Based on the notion of multiple realities and meanings as varied and multiple.
There is a focus on complexity of views rather than narrowing to few categories or ideas.
Smaller groups.
Multiple opinions, all of them matter.
Researchers recognize that their own backgrounds shape interpretations (more involved).
Intent to seek an understanding of a group.

Question 25

Transformative or Advocacy/Participatory

Answer 25

Based on the notion that research needs to be intertwined with politics and political agenda.
There is a focus on action and reform that might change the lives of the participants in the study (working with underrepresented groups to help solve a problem; real world change).
Researchers work collaboratively with participants.
Usually seeks an understanding of the targeted research group, plus intent to seek reform or change, once the understanding has been established.
Needs to make the lives of participants better.
Employ quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research designs (different from advocacy/participatory which is more focussed on qualitative research).

Question 26

Two-Eyed Seeing (5th Worldview)

Answer 26

Common when working with indigenous groups.
Rooted in the belief that there are many ways of understanding the world, some represented by indigenous knowledge systems and others by European-derived sciences.
Reflects the “bringing together” of knowledge from the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing and the strengths of western ways of knowing (all knowledge systems are equitable).
Allows for diversity and perspectives.
Employ quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research designs.

Question 27

Pragmatism

Answer 27

Based on the notion that research needs to be concerned with “what works” and solutions to problems.
There is no commitment to single notion of reality.
Researchers use whatever methods work best (usually use mixed methods).
No commitment to one reality, but understand that there may be one that works best.

Question 28

What are each worldviews most common method of study?

Answer 28

Postpositivism = quantitative
Constructivism = qualitative
Advocacy/participatory = qualitative
Tranformative = qualitative (usually), quantitative, or mixed methods
Pragmatism = mixed methods
Two-eyed seeing = qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods