Research Methodology

Question 1

Purpose of Research

Answer 1

Advance Knowledge: Research explains things (what, when, why, how)

Increase Understanding: Research can find new info, increase knowledge of topic, experience etc

Educate Others: Data results used in education programs

Inform Practice: Research results may be used to develop preventative strategy

Question 2

The focus of research (E.g. Question/ Hypothesis)

Answer 2

Research question: Does relationship exist between variables?

E.g. Will using entertainment technologies have an impact on the social wellbeing of school aged children?

Hypothesis: Problem, question, statement that will be tested through research; researcher discovers if hypothesis is true or not.

E.g. Using entertainment technologies every day will have a negative impact on the social wellbeing of school aged children.

Question 3

Sampling (Definition and size)

Answer 3

The process of choosing the people, place and time to collect primary data

Individuals selected included as representative of total pop who form focus of study

Large group is ideal, but not always possible (limited time, money, access to people)

Question 4

Simple random sampling

Answer 4

People have equal chance of being selected, free from bias

Drawing names out of a hat of who to interview

Question 5

Systematic random sampling

Answer 5

Selecting one person on random basis and choosing others at evenly spaced intervals until number desired.

Selecting house number 2 and every 3rd house in street after that to distribute questionnaire to

Question 6

Cluster sampling

Answer 6

Divide pop into clusters and then random selection in cluster

Each high school in Western Sydney is cluster. Interviewing teachers from 5 schools in this cluster

Question 7

Convenience sampling

Answer 7

Selecting people from pop who are easy to access.
Saves time, money, effort.

Bias, unreliable. Relevant data may not be collected

Interview 1st 10 people you meet, or select 10 closest friends to interview

Question 8

Stratified random sampling

Answer 8

Pop divided into strata (layers) and then random selection in each strata

Group A= people with less than 5 yrs of education

Group B= people with 5-10 yrs of education

Group C= people with 10-15 years of education

(Stratified sample obtained by selecting simple random sample from each group)

Question 9

What are the types of data?

Answer 9

Primary and secondary,

Qualitative and quantitative

Question 10

Types of data

PRIMARY

Answer 10

Collecting ‘new’ data that does not exist before research is undertaken.

E.g. Researcher interviews to collect data. Data not previously collected and interpreted

Question 11

Types of data

SECONDARY

Answer 11

Collecting data from existing research and interpreting (look for recurring arguments, themes, conclusions)

Might be collected from books, journals etc

Question 12

Types of data

QUANTITIATIVE

Answer 12

Can be measured (e.g. statistics)

Ideal for researcher who wants info easily categorised (E.g. Male/Female data)

Objective, reliable and specific (less subject to bias)
Only states facts/figures (not opinions/feelings)

Question 13

Types of data

QUALITATIVE

Answer 13

Data that includes opinion, responses and reflection

Produce large amount of info; new perspectives/beliefs of others

Susceptible to bias from researchers own values/interpretations

Question 14

What are the sources of data?

Answer 14

Individuals and groups,

Print and digital

Question 15

Sources of data

INDIVIDUALS

Answer 15

Provide current, real time data, provide data from their experiences

E.g. family, friends, experts, specialists, neighbours

E.g. Essay on eating disorders may interview a specialist

Question 16

Sources of data

GROUPS

Answer 16

Provide current, real time data. Data of their actions/ works being recorded and analysed.

Can be professional organisations, not for profit groups, specialist groups, medical authorities, government
agencies

E.g. Police (Govt agency) is source of data as number of crimes they have stopped can be analysed by individuals

Question 17

Sources of data

PRINT

Answer 17

Books, journals, magazines, pamphlets, newspapers

Researched before published. Likely to be accurate, reliable

E.g. Research famous historian may access autobiography to collect data

Question 18

Sources of data

DIGITAL

Answer 18

Data stored in multimedia resources, e.g. internet, tv, radio, statistics etc

E.g. Statistics of average people in NSW household, can access ABS website

Question 19

Discuss the advantages and limitations of each of the sources of data
INDIVIDUALS

Answer 19

Strengths:
First hand data and opportunity to network with others

Weaknesses:
May not want to help, or bias comes across
Limited time available

Question 20

Discuss the advantages and limitations of each of the sources of data
GROUPS

Answer 20

Strengths:
First hand data→ wide range of knowledge and skills accessed

Weaknesses:
May be biased or political views (depends on interest group)
Conflicting opinions

Question 21

Discuss the advantages and limitations of each of the sources of data
PRINT

Answer 21

Strengths:
Secondary data (Generally reliable if published)
Wide range of resources on many subjects 

Weaknesses:
May be out of date compared to digital
May be censored or biased
Resources may generalised rather than specialised

Question 22

Discuss the advantages and limitations of each of the sources of data
DIGITAL

Answer 22

Strengths:
Up to date info from wide range of resources
Easy to access and overcome problems of distance

Weaknesses:
Skill, time, cost involved with accessing technology
Sometimes difficult to validate info, as many people able to put out info easily

Question 23

Reliability and Validity

Answer 23

Reliability: How consistent. If used by others under same conditions, produce same or similar results

Validity: How well it measures what it’s supposed to. Only achieved if results obtained correctly.

Question 24

Explain how sampling contributes to reliable and valid research

Answer 24

Careful, appropriate sampling important for reliable research outcomes

Reliability means an accurate representation of pop being studied is achieved→ only occurs if appropriate representative sample was selected at beginning of research process

Question 25

What are ethics?

Answer 25

System of moral principles or standards governing appropriate conduct (judge right or wrong)

In research protects rights and wellbeing of participants & researcher. Assist in producing good research outcomes

Ethical issues often identified during planning research

Question 26

Ethical Behavior

BIAS

Answer 26

Research always influenced by personal values; important to stay objective in methods, how methods are implemented,and how results are interpreted and presented.

Bias; when range of factors unfairly influence outcome of results and distorts them

Must be open minded and not have no pre-determined ideas.

Results must be interpreted as they are, not what they would like to be.

Question 27

Ethical Behavior

INTEGRITY

Answer 27

Researcher must be honest about research purpose, clearly state what research will be used for, who will have access to findings

Should offer individuals a copy of published, final report
Sources must be acknowledged

Researchers mustn’t deceive individuals, falsify research findings, plagiarise. Must be honest with no bias

Question 28

Ethical Behavior

RESPECT

Answer 28

Researchers treat individuals with respect (so participants provide honest, accurate, reliable data)

Welfare of individuals is important; researcher must ensure no harm comes to those who take part

Question 29

Ethical Behavior

PRIVACY

Answer 29

Researcher should protect confidences, identity of all involved in research and have consent or permission to use views of those who take part.

All involved have right to anonymity, confidentiality, feel no risk to their wellbeing, withdraw anything that was intended to be used in research project, refuse to be involved at all

Question 30

Assess the importance of ethical behaviour when conducting research by considering the following:

Sensitive research topics,
Confidentiality,
Research bias,
Crediting sources of data

Answer 30

Participants shouldn’t be selected with bias, should have wide range of participants for data

Every source used must be credited, and participants and resources correctly identified

Participants must know their right to anonymity and can withdraw at any time

Researchers must say if it’s a sensitive topic and inform they don’t have to answer or word question carefully

Question 31

Research Methods: Description and Ad/Dis

QUESTIONNAIRES

Answer 31

Written questionnaires are left with respondents to complete and are collected later

Advantages:
Respondents able to complete at their leisure
Can send to more people (wide range of data)

Weaknesses:
May not able to get them back before due date

Question 32

Research Methods: Description and Ad/Dis

STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS

Answer 32

Set questions asked in same sequence to all respondents

Advantages:
Easy to compare answers fairly and reliably
Open and closed questions (wide range of data) → qualitative and quantitative

Weaknesses:
Formal (respondents may not be truthful as they may feel intimidated)
Time consuming to construct and conduct

Question 33

Research Methods: Description and Ad/Dis

UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS

Answer 33

Informal questions, like a conversation between interviewer and participant

Advantages:
Respondents able to express themselves more openly through discussion
Questions can be adapted to meet needs of respondents or suit the setting

Weaknesses:
Data harder to interpret and interviewer has to listen carefully to all answers to make changes as necessary

Question 34

Research Methods: Description and Ad/Dis

CASE STUDIES

Answer 34

Detailed investigation of one issue (person, event, community group)

Advantages:
Useful in finding out why and how (detailed examination)
Study of real life situations

Weaknesses:
Require supporting research from other sources (limited info possible)
Generalisations often not possible (can be subjective, bias)

Question 35

Research Methods: Description and Ad/Dis

OBSERVATIONS

Answer 35

Watching and recording what is seen

Advantages:
Can reveal characteristics about groups/individuals not always possible with other methods

Weaknesses:
Might not act naturally if people know they are being watched
Hard to prove exactly what happened (bias can occur)
Gender may restrict access to certain inf

Question 36

Research Methods: Description and Ad/Dis

LITERATURE REVIEWS

Answer 36

Description, summary and critical evaluation of each work (books, articles, websites) to show that an insightful study of what is already known about that topic has been made

Advantages:
Gives reader some background info about topic so research presented makes more sense
Provides info about topic and any gaps that exist in the research

Weaknesses:
Time consuming
High literacy skills needed and can be demanding reading others research and making sense of it
Data not about current, actual behaviours

Question 37

Select and utilise appropriate research methods to conduct research

Answer 37

Using questionnaires for hypothesis “Using entertainment technologies can have negative impact on social wellbeing of school aged children.” As it’s easier to gain quantitative data than observing

Using interviews for hypothesis, “Physical disability can hinder access to education and services” as issue needs to be investigated by gaining opinions and thoughts of people with disability. Some may be physically unable to answer questionnaire

Question 38

Research Process:

PLANNING FOR RESEARCH (2)

Answer 38

Formulating a research proposal

• Select research focus and select appropriate sampling method, size and group
• Develop IRP plan

Managing resources, (E.g. time, materials)

• Timeline of tasks to be completed
• Keep data organised (Have IRP diary), Back up sources of data

Question 39

Research Process:

CONDUCTING RESEARCH (3)

Answer 39

Accessing sources of data

• Search secondary data for what’s already written about topic. Preliminary readings help formulate questions you want to ask
• Complete literature review

Collecting and recording data

• Use suitable research methods to collect and record primary data (E.g. interviews, questionnaires)
• Create draft questions and pilot them, and arrange for individuals or groups to be interviewed or surveyed etc
• Conduct the data collection, E.g. Carry out interviews and record ,

Documenting actions and issues

• Write in diary problems encountered and steps taken to solve them
• Write personal opinions and comments and decisions you have made

Question 40

Research Process:

INTERPRETING RESEARCH (3)

Answer 40

Presenting research findings

• Presented quantitatively or qualitatively (Quantitative- Graphs, or tables with statistics etc)
• (Qualitative- Present as a written report, include main ideas, quotes etc)

Analysing research results

• Need to describe what evidence can be seen in tables and in written reports. Identify trends
• Interpret findings by making comparisons, describing patterns and relationships that relate to research question or hypothesis
• Identify possible reasons for the patterns and relationships you have found

Drawing conclusions from research

• Must draw conclusions in relation to initial research question or hypothesis
• Need to write a summary that states what the data shows and how it relates to the research in general as well as future recommendations or possible implications of findings.
• Credit sources of data by means of bibliography or appendix