Lecture 1 - Research, Integrity And The Scientific Process Flashcards
How many natures of research are there?
Five
What are the natures of research?
• Systematic - variables must be identified and the research is designed to test the relationships between variables
• Logical - examination of the methods and procedures used in research allows researchers to evaluate the conclusions they have made
• Empirical - researchers collect data on which to base decisions
• Reductive - researchers use the data to establish general relationships
• Replicable - the process is recorded enabling others to repeat the findings or extend them
What mnemonic can be used to remember the natures of research?
• She likes every raging rod
• Systematic, logical, empirical, reductive, replicable
What is the scientific method of problem solving?
- Identify and delimit a problem
- Searching, reviewing, analysing, integrating and summarising relevant literature
- Specifying/defining testable hypotheses
- Designing research to test the hypotheses
- Selecting participants and gathering data
- Analysing and reporting the results
- Discussing the meaning and implications
What is internal validity?
If the results of the study can be attributed to the treatments in the study
What is external validity?
The generalisability of the results
What are non-scientific methods of problem solving?
• Tenacity - people cling to beliefs despite lack of supporting evidence
• Intuition - common sense/knowledge but there may be no evidence
• Authority - a position of power or responsibility or the qualifications someone holds
• Rationalistic method - knowledge through reasoning (could be a logical fallacy)
• Empirical method - a description of data that is based on observations
How do you identify problems? (reasoning)
Inductive reasoning:
* Begin with observations
* Hypotheses
* Bring hypotheses together
* General explanation
* Theory
Deductive reasoning:
* Theory
* Postulate
* Replication of results
* Hypotheses
* Comparison with reality
How many main categories of research are there?
Two
What are the two main categories of research?
Basic research:
• Addresses theoretical problems under controlled conditions with limited direct application
Applied research:
• Addresses immediate problems under less controlled real-world settings and the findings have direct value to practitioners
What is ecological validity?
The extent to which research emulates the real world and whether it’s generalisable
What are the types of research?
• Analytical research
• Descriptive research
• Experimental research
• Qualitative research
• Mixed methods research
How many types of research are there?
Five
What mnemonic can be used to remember the types of research?
Amy doesn’t eat quail meat
What is analytic research and what sub-groups can it be divided into?
It is an in-depth study and evaluation of information
• Historical research
• Philosophical research
• Reviews
• Research synthesis (systemic reviews and meta-analysis)
What is descriptive research and what methods does it use to collect data?
Information is collected without changing the environment
• Questionnaire
• Interview
• Normative study
• Case study
• Observational research
What is experimental research?
It involves manipulation of treatments/interventions to establish cause and effect
What is qualitative research and what key words are used?
It explores and provides deeper insight into real world problems with reflection - focuses on “words’ not “numbers”
• Ethnographic/naturalistic - observing variables/people and behaviour in the real world
• Phenomenological - interviews with people who have experienced phenomenon
• Grounded theory - study methodology (design, features, analysis) for explaining and theorising
How many shared values are there in research?
Four
What are the shared values in research?
• Honesty - convey information truthfully and honouring commitments
• Accuracy - report findings precisely and the care to avoid errors
• Efficiency - use resources wisely and avoid waste
• Objectivity - let the facts speak for themselves and avoid improper bias
What mnemonic can be used to remember the shared values in research?
Harry always eats oats
What is research integrity?
Research practice viewed from the perspective of professional standards
What is research ethics?
Research practice viewed from the perspective of moral principles
Where can ethical issues arise?
• Research question
• Research design
• Number of participants
• Research team
• Risks, benefits, burdens
• Recruitment/compensation
• Respecting confidentiality
• Publication of results
• Informed consent
How many areas of research misconduct are there?
Seven
How many areas of research misconduct are there?
Seven
What are the areas of research misconduct?
• Plagiarism
• Data fabrication and falsification
• Nonpublication of data
• Faulty data gathering procedures
• Poor data storage and retention
• Misleading authorship
• Unacceptable publication practice
How does the scientific process of studies work?
• Apply for research funding
• Peer-review of research funding applications
• Apply for and receive ethical approval
• Deliver research as proposed
• Write up results
• Submit a research article to a journal for peer review
• Make changes, re-review, publication in journal
• Possible changes to practice, policy and the real world
