Research Approaches Flashcards
Epistemology
Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and scope of knowledge, how knowledge is acquired, and the validity of knowledge claims. It is concerned with questions related to how we come to know and understand the world, including the methods, sources, and limitations of knowledge.
- Objective
- Subjective
What are the three theoretical approaches to design
- Conservative
- Pragmatic
- Romantic
What are the 4 major types of knowledge claims/ epistemology?
- Postpositivism
- Constructivism
- Advocacy/participatory
- Pragmatism
Qualitative research
Qualitative research is exploratory and aims to understand human behaviour, experiences, and phenomena in depth. It is concerned with the quality and depth of data rather than numerical measurements.
- Data Collection: Qualitative research typically involves collecting non-numerical data, such as textual, visual, or audio data, through methods like interviews, observations, focus groups, and open-ended surveys.
- Data Analysis: Qualitative data is analysed through techniques like thematic analysis, content analysis, and grounded theory. Researchers identify patterns, themes, and meanings in the data to develop rich and nuanced insights.
- Use in HCI: Qualitative research in HCI is often used to explore users’ perceptions, preferences, and experiences with technology. It can help uncover usability issues, user needs, and design recommendations through a deep understanding of user behaviors and motivations.
Quantitative research
Quantitative research aims to quantify and measure variables and relationships between them. It is structured and relies on statistical analysis to draw conclusions.
- Data Collection: Quantitative research involves collecting numerical data through structured surveys, experiments, or observations. It often uses closed-ended questionnaires with predefined response options.
- Data Analysis: Quantitative data is analyzed using statistical techniques to identify patterns, correlations, and statistical significance. Researchers aim to make generalizable claims about a population based on the data
- Use in HCI: Quantitative research in HCI can be used to measure user performance, gather quantitative usability metrics, and assess the statistical significance of design changes or interventions. It provides valuable insights into the effectiveness and efficiency of technology solutions.
Mixed Methods Research
- Nature: Mixed methods research combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches in a single study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a research problem.
- Data Collection: Researchers collect both qualitative and quantitative data in a mixed methods study. This allows for a holistic exploration of the research question.
- Data Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative data are analyzed separately and then integrated to provide a unified interpretation. This integration can help validate findings and offer a more robust understanding of the research problem.
- Use in HCI: Mixed methods research is beneficial in HCI when researchers want to combine the depth of qualitative insights with the statistical rigour of quantitative data. It can provide a nuanced understanding of user experiences and also assess the impact of technology changes quantitatively.
Knowledge claims
- postpositivism
- constructivism
- Advocacy/Participatory
- Pragmatic
What is the framework for designing research proposals
- Knowledge claim
What knowledge claims are being made by the researcher? - Strategies of inquiry
What strategies of inquiry will inform the procedure? - Methods
What methods of data collection and analysis will be used?
Postpositivism Knowledge Claim
- Research approach in HCI characterized by confirmatory hypothesis testing.
- It relies on hypothesis-driven, experimental designs, and the perceived impartiality of methods to claim knowledge free from individual bias and error.
- Seeks answers through empirical observation and measurement.
- Aims to discover objective “truth” through research.
- Consider Emotions and Experiences as measurable.
- Emphasises the scientific method and quantitative research methods.
- Objectivism is the epistemology preferred by researchers using the scientific method
Theory verification
Constructivism Knowledge Claim
- Research approach in HCI focused on understanding participants’ context and meaning construction.
- Rejects the idea of a single objective truth.
- Believes that meaning is constructed, not inherent.
- Uses approaches like phenomenology and symbolic interaction to explore meaning construction.
- Often aimed at theory development.
Theory Generation
Advocacy/Participatory Knowledge Claims
- This knowledge claim shares values with constructivism but goes beyond by actively seeking social change and empowerment.
- Researchers advocate for specific social or political causes.
- Involves active participation of participants in shaping the research process.
- Aims to address and rectify social inequalities and injustices.
- Challenges conventional assumptions about what needs to be measured and what a design should entail.
Change-oriented
Pragmatic Knowledge Claim
- Pragmatism is characterised by a clear problem-solving orientation. Researchers identify practical problems and seek solutions that can be applied in practice.
- Focuses on common-sense and observable phenomena.
- Action-oriented approach in HCI research.
- Researchers identify concrete problems and work towards practical solutions.
- Combines research and practice to solve real-world issues.
- Researchers use both objective and subjective measures, depending on the problem they are addressing.
Real-world practice oriented
Inquiry strategies associated with Quantitative Approach
The quantitative approach employs inquiry strategies like experiments and surveys to collect numerical data and draw conclusions based on statistical analysis. Experiments can be either true experiments (with random assignment and control) or quasi-experiments (with limited control). Surveys can be cross-sectional (data collected at a single time point) or longitudinal (data collected over multiple time points), offering insights into population characteristics and temporal changes in variables of interest.
True experiments
True experiments are characterized by the manipulation of an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable while controlling for extraneous variables. They typically involve the random assignment of participants into experimental and control groups. True experiments aim to establish causal relationships between variables.
Quasi-Experiments
Quasi-experiments share some similarities with true experiments, but they lack random assignment or full control over variables. Researchers in quasi-experiments might use naturally occurring groups or conditions. While they can suggest causation, they are considered less robust in establishing causality compared to true experiments.
