RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Flashcards
What is the purpose of research?
The purpose of research is to advance knowledge, increase understanding, educate others and inform practise.
What is a research question?
A question that asks wether a relationship exists between variables in a particular population.
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis stipulates or predicts that a relationship among or between at least two variables in a given population exists.
What are the disadvantages of a hypothesis?
When a researcher proves wrong their own hypothesis they may be tempted to change their original hypothesis.
What does a sample research cover and what are its positives and negatives?
Covers a cross-section of a census population
- Time efficient
- Limited funding
- Limited access to all peoples of a population
Depending on what method of sampling is chosen it may provide bias or inaccurate results.
What are the five types of sampling?
Random sample Systematic random sample Stratified random sample Cluster sample Convenience sampling
What is random sampling?
All participants have an equal chance of being selected for the sample.
What is systematic random sampling?
Obtained by choosing a number at random and following the pattern to chose all participants.
What is stratified random sampling?
The population is divided into categories (such as gender) and a random selection occurs in each category or strata.
What is a cluster sample?
A selection of participants are selected within a cluster, or a whole certain cluster is chosen randomly.
What is convenience sampling?
Participants are selected due to their availability or the relationship between the researcher and the participant.
This method has the lowest credibility.
What is a sample group?
The specific population chosen based on the hypothesis or question.
What is a sample size?
Sample size refers to the number of participants that are actually selected for the research study.
20-30 people
(Equal to two interviews, one case study or two/three observations)
What are the four types of data?
Primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative.
What is primary data?
Data sourced by the immediate researcher.
Can be expensive to conduct.
What is secondary data?
Data conducted by an external research for a different project, though can be used to back up the results found in the primary data.
Readily available, low cost. Can not produce its own conclusion without the primary data.
Define qualitative data.
Subjective data that comes from research collecting facts regarding beliefs, feelings, attitudes and opinions.
Define quantitative data.
Objective data that comes from research that collects facts in the form of numerical data. Counted, measured and graphed.
What are six types of primary data?
Structured interview, unstructured interview, observation, questionnaires, surveys, case studies, experiments.
What are the advantages to qualitative data?
Provides words and images to help the intended audience understand the why and how of a situation while also giving examples to fill in details.
What are the advantages to quantitative data?
Outlines the ‘what’. Is objective and reliable, subject to less bias.
What types of primary data examples are qualitative?
Observations, interviews, focus groups, case studies.
What types of primary data examples are quantitative?
Questionnaires, surveys, experiments.
What are the two sources of data?
Primary- individuals and groups
Secondary- print and digital
In relevance to analysing secondary data, what is Authority?
The authors credentials, reputable, sources properly cited.
In relevance to analysing secondary data, what is Accuracy?
Well written text, correct spelling and grammar. Accurate data.
In relevance to analysing secondary data, what is Currency?
When was the source published, how long ago. Updated?
In relevance to analysing secondary data, what is Purpose?
What was the purpose of the information, objective or factual? Does it state an opinion. Who is the intended audience.
In relevance to analysing secondary data, what is Relevance?
Is the source relevant to topic, does it provide further information or back up data?
What is Reliability?
If it were conducted under the same conditions would the results be the same? High repeatability.
Refers to the consistency of measurement.
What is Validity?
Properly sourced data using a suitable research method. Multiples sources.
Refers to measurement that accurately reflects what it was intended to measure.
In terms of ethical behaviour what is Respect?
As voluntary participant individuals have rights and should be respected.
- Aware of social, physical and emotional wellbeing of participant.
- Carefully worded questions as to respect privacy and personal topics.
- Informed consent by the participant.
- Offer the individual the opportunity to see the final project and conclusion.
In terms of ethical behaviour what is Integrity?
The interviewer must be honest and truthful, being accountable for the representation of data. Makes no changes, modifications or suppressing information.
In terms of ethical behaviour what is Privacy?
Ask for permission, ask if they would prefer their name to be disclosed or not. Confidentiality and anonymity. Labelling data without names. Carefully storing data.
In terms of ethical behaviour what is Bias?
The research should not influence the data by personal experience or opinion.
Types of secondary date?
Textbooks, internet, journals, pamphlets, newspaper, biographies, documentaries. Presented through literature reviews.
What are two advantages and disadvantages to literature reviews?
Adv
- compare primary data with pre-existing data
- helps gain background information of the topic
Dis
- may lead you off topic
- can be biased
- invalid or un-reliable
- time consuming
What are two advantage and disadvantages to case studies?
Adv
- More detailed information
- Relevant to your topic
- Based on a particular issue
Dis
- Limited generalisations
- Very time consuming: can take weeks, months, years.
What is the focus of a research project and guides all stages of the research process?
Hypothesis or Question.
Which sampling method provides the least accurate results?
Convenience sampling
What is a sociogram?
A diagram that shows the relationships that exist between a group of people.
What is quantitative research?
Research that is facts in a number form.
What is a graph?
Picture form of data.
What does ethics refer to?
The duty the researcher has to behave in a respectable way, accepted researchers and society.
Which of the following is not a research method? (A) survey (B) interview (C) sleeping (D) literature review
(C) sleeping
Is this statement TRUE or FALSE? “Asking the right question is important because the research question determines how the research process is carried out.
TRUE
TRUE or FALSE? “Bias can only occur at the beginning of the IRP”
FALSE - It can occur at any time.
What is a pilot study?
A test run using a limited number of people from the ultimate or actual sample.
What is the most widely used graphic presentation?
Tables and graphs.
In a research project what does the introduction outline?
Why you have chosen the topic, your question and hypothesis and the research methods you will use.
What is participant observation involves what?
The researcher taking part in the group and observing from within.
What does a case study mean?
The detailed investigation relating to the hypothesis or question.
In order to do good research it is necessary to stick to your first question and don’t change a thing. TRUE or FALSE
FALSE. You need to continually refine your question.
TRUE or FALSE? ‘Population is the entire group of people of things being studied’
TRUE
TRUE or FALSE? ‘Primary data is the data the researcher collects first-hand on his or topic.’
TRUE
TRUE or FALSE? ‘When taking notes it is a good idea to be selective and use point form that can be expanded later.’
TRUE
What does a histogram show?
A trends or compare a number of factors.
Which opinion beat describe primary data? (A) collected first-hand (B) collected from books (C) collected from reports (D) from a tv documentary
(A) collected first-hand
Qualitative research involves what?
Collecting data to provide an explanation for something.
What is an IRP?
Independent Research Project
A research proposal is what?
An outline of your plan or intention for your project.
Mind maps are good because…
They help the researcher to organise thoughts and information.
The sampling process is…?
The number of people selected to participate in a research project.
What type of data is most likely to be collected by quantitative research methods?
Measurements and statistical information.
Data is...? (A) information collected (B) statistics (C) first hand information (D) all of the above
(D) all of the above.
Which of the following is NOT a graph? (A) pie graph (B) spot graph (C) line graph (D) cross graph
(D) cross graph
Is it better to survey a large or a small amount of people and why?
Large as it represents more of the population.
Name two examples of quantitative research.
- experiments
- structured and unstructured interviews
- questionnaire
What is secondary research?
Data that someone else has collected and published in a book, magazine, journal, website or in a documentary.
What is reliability?
Whether or not the results of research would be the same if repeated.
TRUE or FALSE? ‘Reliability and validity are the same’
FALSE
Ethics refer to what?
Moral principles and standards.
What is validity?
Whether or not the research has been obtained correctly.
What does the term ‘research’ mean?
A process whereby information is gained about a topic of interest.
What is the research process? (PCI)
Planning for research (formulating proposal/hypothesis/question + manage resources)
Conducting research (Accessing sources of data + Collecting the data + Documenting actions and issues)
Interpreting data (Presenting the findings + Analysing + Drawing conclusions)
