Overview Of The Research Process

Question 1

What are the characteristics of positive paradigm?

Answer 1

Traditional, underlying scientific approach
There is a fixed orderly reality that can be objectively studied
Quantitative research

Question 2

What are the characteristics of naturalistic paradigm?

Answer 2

Alternative, multiple interpretations of reality
Goal is to understand how individuals construct reality within their context
Qualitative research

Question 3

Definition of paradigm

Answer 3

A way of looking at natural phenomena that encompasses a set of assumptions, concepts, values and practices that guides ones’ approach to inquiry

Question 4

Definition of induction (inductive)

Answer 4

Theory building

From specific to general - after a large number of observations you can draw conclusions

Question 5

Definition of deduction (deductive)

Answer 5

Theory testing
From general to specific - process of knowledge acquisition by the formulation of hypothesis and then collecting data to support or regret it

Question 6

Characteristics of quantitative research

Answer 6

Focus: concise and narrow, reductionistic, reasoning: logistic and deductive, cause and effect relationship, objective, research begins with hypothesis, setting is controlled, data collected numerically

Question 7

Characteristics of qualitative research

Answer 7

Focus: complex and broad, reductionistic, reasoning: dialectic and inductive, communication and observation, subjective, begins with a broad question which changes as research progresses, natural setting/real life studied

Question 8

Characteristics of generalisation in quantitative research

Answer 8

• data analysis is undertaken by reducing all data to numbers and undertaking statistical tests
• facts found to fit theory
• research design is identified before research and stuck with

Question 9

Character of transferability in qualitative research

Answer 9

• data analysis is through category/theme identification, comparative analysis, descriptions and finding relationships between data
• data used to generate theory
• research design revolves as the study progresses

Question 10

What are the phases of research process?

Answer 10

Phase 1 - the conceptual phase
Phase 2 - design and planning phase
Phase 3 - the empirical phase
Phase 4 - analytical phase
Phase 5 - the dissemination phase

Question 11

What are the characteristic of phase 1 - the conceptual phase in the research process?

Answer 11

• defining a research problem
• searching and reviewing the literature
• formulating hypotheses or research questions

Question 12

What are the characteristics of phase 2 - design and planning phase in the research process?

Answer 12

• selecting a research design
• identifying the population to be studied
• choosing the sample
• specifying data collection methods

Question 13

What are the characteristics of phase 3 - the empirical phase in the research process?

Answer 13

• conducting the pilot study

- collecting the data

Question 14

What are the characteristics of phase 4 - analytical phase in the research process?

Answer 14

• analysing the data

- interpreting the results

Question 15

What are the characteristics of phase 5 - the dissemination phase in the research process?

Answer 15

• communicating the finding

- utilising the findings