Methods vs Methodology Flashcards
Define:
Ontology
A philisophical branch concerned with concepts surrounding the nature of existence itself.
This is often seen to ‘overlap’ with metaphysics, however metaphysics questions more the fundamentals of our reality.
Contrastingly, ontology would retort “What even is ‘our reality’”?
Define:
Epistemology
A philisophical branch “concerned with the nature, origin, and limitations of knowledge”.
Use the image below to describe the THREE ‘fundamental concepts’ in scientific research processes.
- Methodology: the ‘framework’/’blueprint’.
- Research Question: outlines what the research is interested in finding out.
- Methods: the ‘tools’ and techniques used to answer the RQ.
Another term for methodology is the research paradigm.
The methodology/conceptual framework influences how you construct your research question, which will in turn affect what methods are required to approach answering it.
List:
EIGHT guiding concepts that inform questions we ask about research design/decisions
(Extra: Give example questions for each)
- Ontology
- Epistemology
- Positioning (Researcher)
- Research Question
- Theory
- Sampling
- Data Collection/Analysis
- Dissemination
- “Nature of reality?”
- “What can I know and how?”
- “Role as a researcher?”
- “What do I care about/value/consider important?”
- “What theories may compliment/assist my research?”
- “How will I select participants?”
- “How will I collect/analyse data?”
- “How will I communicate findings?”
What are the TWO general ‘camps’ of research paradigms in the field of Psychology?
The Scientific Method and Critical Psychology.
The Scientific Method tends to be primarily quantitative, while Critical Psychology tends to be more qualitative.
True or False:
‘Qualitative research’ may be referring to the method(s) used and/or the overall paradigm.
True
Remember, methods are the ‘tools’ we use to go about answering our research question, and so you could use a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques in gathering data (eg. interviewing people as well as recording physiological markers like heart-rate etc.).
Fill-in-the-Blank:
The Scientific Method has the primary goal of uncovering ____ ____ about the world.
Contrastingly, Critical Psychology tends to explore the ____ nature and aspects to scientific research.
- objective truths
- subjective
The Scientific Method tries to achieve this by minimising the influence of the researcher/ensuring the research is ‘standalone’.
Meanwhile, Critical Psychology acknowledges/embraces the subjectivity and influence of the researcher in each unique study.
What is the key part of the Chamberlain (2014) quote encapsulating the argument from a Critical Psychology perspective about the subjectivity of research?
“Data do not exist independently of the ways of collecting them.”
(Chamberlain, 2014)
List:
The SIX ** general key differences** between quantitative vs. qualitative paradigms
- Data: numerical vs. alternative.
- Purpose/Aim: Explain/Predict/Generalise vs. Understand/Interpret.
- Deductive vs Inductive.
- Objectivity vs Subjectivity.
- Method: inflexible vs flexible.
- Time: shorter + ‘definitive end’ vs longer + ‘undefined end’.
Note: These are all overarching trends/generalisations, and so there will be cross-overs/unique cases for both.
True or False:
Qualitative methods cannot be used in quantitative research (and vice versa).
False!
Research often combines quantitative and qualitative approaches, such as ‘quantifying’ participants’ word-based answers to later run statistical analyses with.
List:
The EIGHT general fundamentals of Qualitative Research
- Meaning trumps numbers.
- Multiple potential answers.
- Context = key.
- Experiential or Critical.
- Underpinned by ontological + espistemological assumptions.
- Qualitative methodology + ‘qualitative thinking’.
- Variety of data.
- Subjectivity + reflexivity are valued.
