Prm Flashcards
Second para
However, some may argue mixed methods were not appropriate for Holden’s study. For example, for Holden to use mixed methods, it was time consuming and money consuming. Holden used two types of secondary research as part of mixed methods and they were attitude surveys and non-participant observation. For Holden, it would have been very time consuming for him to create attitude surveys or questionnaires as he will have to plan which questions to ask and he must make sure he uses fatigue effect which can take even longer. In addition, Holden observing requires high level of researcher skill in the collection and analysis of data. This means, that it will be cost effective and he must have equipment in order to carry observations and also for computer software to analyse data.
First para
Holden uses mixed methods for his research so that his aim is successful and clear. Mixed methods are more than one research method that is used to carry out a task; we can see that Holden does this for his research so that it is reliable, representative and valid. Holden uses methodological pluralism; a method in which only quantitative methods or qualitative methods are used for the study. Triangulation, however, is the use of more than one method e.g. quantitative and qualitative methods together. Holden used this type of method by using non-participant observations, which is observing without participating. Holden used this method to able to recognise the play between children and to accomplish his aim. He also used attitude surveys, which are aimed at parents so they can put across what they feel about integration play; this was all used through primary research. Using mixed methods was extremely important for Holden’s research because it increased validity of what is to be found, which is to examine the extent to which children’s play at different ages and in different settings reinforce or overcomes the segregation of different ethnic groups.
Third para
One of the advantages of non-participant observations is that by reducing the level of interaction between the researcher and participants you can reduce the risk of the Hawthorne effect, which happens if the observation is covert. The Hawthorne effect, in terms of Holden’s research, is the idea that the behaviour of children changes or improves when observation is covert. However, this is not the case with Holden’s research because he chooses non-participant observation to make sure that his research carried is reliable. Not only that, this type of observation is easier to record information and observations if you are not participating. This as a result, increases the validity of the task being carried because if recording the integration play of children is made easy, Holden’s research is likely to be much more analytical and clear.
Fourth para
One of the disadvantages of non-participant observations is that Holden carries his research through two very different environments, the park and school. This is quite a disadvantage because in parks, for instance, children are less inclined to speak as they may be affected by class, age and ethnicity or perhaps they may not know each other. It is seen as not socially acceptable for a child in a park to interact with someone whom they do not know because this is seen as unusual and inappropriate. As a result, it questions us whether if Holden is measuring how friendly children are with each other or why children play is not integrated. As a result, the environment really conflicts the research being carried and does not make the research valid or reliable as it may be biased perhaps.
Fifth para
One of the advantages of attitude surveys is that it does not make the research biased. In Holden’s research, attitude surveys were used specifically for parents so Holden is able to acknowledge and use views and opinions of what parents have on the observation, for instance, that was carried. Holden used computer software to analyse the data; this evidence reinforces the fact that his research was not biased or controlled by him, but Holden put forward views and opinions from people that are relevant for his task. Holden made sure that he received views and opinions of parents by ensuring that he uses the fatigue effect; which is a technique used so that it is not too tedious for parents to complete the questionnaire. As a result, we can see how this makes the research reliable as the survey could be carried out again and thus, makes it more valid
Sixth para
One of the disadvantages of attitude surveys is that due to the fact that Holden’s attitude surveys consist of closed questions, it does not give parents a right to deeply express their view on the observation, for instance, that Holden carried out and so we do not get in depth info. Though Holden uses computer software to analyse the data received, Holden could change or interpret response received from attitude survey to how he wants it and so it will be biased and will produce a false picture of the research found. To add on, surveys are inflexible mode of inquiry. For example, parents cannot ask the true reasons or opinions through attitude surveys as they could do so through an interview. They are inflexible because initial study design remains unaltered through the data collection. As a result, this makes us question whether if this research is valid enough because lack of information consequences to lack of validity and representativeness.
Seventh para
Holden utilises various forms of secondary research to ensure that his research is valid, reliable and representative. Two key types of secondary research that Holden used were non-participant observations and attitude surveys. Holden carried a total of 21 observations conducted in public parks and school playgrounds, occupied by children from Blackburn’s two main ethnic groups (white and Asian). The focus for Holden on conducting non-participant observations was to make sure there was no interaction with those conducting the research and the children from two main ethnic groups. This was because it could make the observation not valid as interaction could alter behaviour of children and so would not paint a better picture and would not be reliable or generalizable. In addition, Holden used attitude surveys as a type of secondary research and this helped carry his study. Towards the end of the 21 observations in schools and parks, Holden distributed 516 questionnaires, where 303 were only returned. The questionnaires or attitude surveys gave Holden an opportunity to consume views and opinions of parents and be able to analyse the data and use it as part of the study. Thus, this made the research more reliable as it put across views not from Holden, but parents. This also made it more representative as there was feedback from parents that gave us a good understanding of ethnic groups in Blackburn. Bubblewrap
Eighth para
As Holden used questionnaires as part of his research method for his study, positives say questionnaires are reliable, generalizable and representative. For example, they say standardised questions and answers produce data, thus can be analysed by Holden using computer software. They argue questionnaires reinforce the trustworthiness of his research as views from parents, in this case, are put forward in his study. They also say pre-coded responses generate quantitative data, identify and measure behaviour patterns and establish cause and effect relationships, so it is very relevant and generable. Not only is that, positivist say questionnaires often are large scale, which makes it much more representative because information Holden collects is comprehensive to accurately represent his discovery to Blackburn’s ethnic situation.
Ninth para
On the other hand, interpretivists are against the whole idea of Holden’s research because firstly, they reject the use of questionnaires because it imposes the researcher’s perspectives on the respondents. This means that Holden has an opportunity to control questions he asks on the questionnaire that is conducted and could base his questions on what he wants. This is also known as research imposition. This is a reason why interpretivists say they prefer more valid methods, rather than methods that are manipulated by the conductor so that results come out how they want it to come out. They also argue that due to the fact that Holden’s questionnaires are “tick box” questions it shows how the information he receives is not rich and not elaborate so it is not valid at all and is not representative for his study because of lack of information.
10th para
Holden using a variety of different research methods for his study is completely apt to make it successful. One of the reasons why Holden’s research methods were useful is because he was able to find out how children socialise by non-participant observing; this helped him discover behaviour and what was “norm” within children play. Not only that, non-participant observing gave Holden the opportunity to see which children’s play at parks and schools at different ages and in different settings either reinforces or overcomes the segregation of ethnic groups. Also, primary research like questionnaires established what parents felt about integrative plat and whether could have a positive effect on communities. As a result, this made the study much more valid. Also, he used quantitative data which made it is easy to compare and contrast with other questionnaires and you can try to find a pattern or a trend and find out more than you would. This made the questionnaires that he conducted much more representative as it gave him a good insight and so it increased validity.
Conclusion
To conclude, we can see that to some extent, the methods Holden used made his research quite successful. However, Holden was able to use much more appropriate research methods so that his study is much more effective. For example, Holden could have conducted interviews to make sure that his respondents were able to express their views unlimitedly because through questionnaires, for example, the questions Holden used were closed which meant that putting across views were limit.
