RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Flashcards
The purpose of research, eg advance knowledge, increase understanding, educate others, inform practise (AD IN ED IN)
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 Practise: results may be used to develop preventative strategy
The focus of research, eg question/hypothesis
Q
Examines whether a relationship exists between two variables
EG: Will using entertainment technologies have an impact on the social wellbeing of school-aged children?
H
Predicts a relationship b/w a given population exists; is tested & researcher discovers if true or contradictory
EG Using entertainment technologies everyday can have a negative impact on the social wellbeing of school-aged children
Sampling
Sampling = process of choosing the people, place + time to collect primary data
Group
Sample = similar characteristics to pop being studied (eg in age, gender, cultural background)
Size
Size = will vary → factors affecting = topic, time available & access to individuals
Larger size = better = wider representation of the pop
Sample Methods
Simple Random
Need to choose participants in way that each person in pop = equal chance of being selected
SRS = free from sampling bias
lucky dip
Sample Methods
Systematic
done by selecting 1 person on a random basis, then choosing additional people at evenly spaced intervals until reach desired sample size
every 10th person that walks into a shop
Sample Methods
Stratified
Break pop into strata
Random selection based on one characteristic/feature ef education, income
Group A= people with less than 5 yrs. of education; Group B= people with 5-10 yrs. of education
Sample Methods
Cluster
Obtained by selecting clusters from the pop.
Subject to bias
every school in Western Sydney = cluster. Select 5 of these to survey = first use simple random/systematic to select which schools to survey, + each school selected = become a cluster. Then want to interview teachers about opinions = interview all teachers in a cluster
Sample Methods
Convenience
Obtained by randomly selecting people from the pop who are easy to access
Saves time, money + effort
is the poorest way of sampling because can result in lack of relevant data collected or unreliable research outcomes
Eg. interview the 1st 10 people you meet one day
Types of data - Primary
New data - didn’t exist before research was done
EG. leadership team does a questionnaire about which Y12 jersey design students want
Types of data secondary
Collecting data from existing research +interpreting (looking for recurring arguments, themes, conclusions)
Eg. from books, journals etc for a literature review
Types of data Qualitative
Non-statistical → Opinion, thoughts, feelings etc
Used for insight into/understanding of person’s life/experiences beyond yes/no answer
Produces large amount of info; new perspectives/beliefs of others
Bias from researchers own values/interpretations
Types of data quantitative
Can be measured (statistics) - facts/figures, not feelings.
Ideal for graphing/charting info, categorising the responses (eg male/female) or obtaining a numerical value
Object, reliable and specific (less subject to bias)
Explore a variety of existing research projects/reports and consider the following questions:
what was the focus of the research?
IRP
Influence of technology of physical wellbeing
Explore a variety of existing research projects/reports and consider the following questions:
What was the sample group + size? IRP
Size - 40
Contained female + males aged 12-24
Explore a variety of existing research projects/reports and consider the following questions:
What type of data was collected IRP
qualitative + quantitative
Explore a variety of existing research projects/reports and consider the following questions:
Was sources of data were used? IRP
The literature review (secondary)
Primary data
Sources of data - Individuals and groups
Ind
Provide current, real time data, data from experiences
EG. essay on eating disorders → interview a specialist
GROUPS
Current real time data. Data of actions/works being recorded and analysed
Can be professional organisations, not for profit groups, specialist groups, medical authorities, government agencies
EG. Police (govt agency) is a source of data as the number of crimes they have stopped can be analysed by individual
Sources of data - Print and digital
PRINT
Books, journals, magazines, pamphlets, newspapers
Researched before published. Likely to be accurate, reliable
EG Research famous historian may access autobiography to collect data
DIGITAL
Data stored in multimedia resources eg internet, tv, radio, statistics etc
EG. Statistics of average people in NSW household, can access ABS website
Describe the types of data that can be collected from individuals and groups
Type of data - individual = primary data
Type of data - group = secondary data
I → 1st hand data collected from individuals → feelings, opinions, beliefs
G → primary data → any research undertaken from the group can be collected by the researcher + secondary data through publicising other data
Discuss the advantages and limitations of each of the sources of data
INDIVIDUAL
Advantages
Current 1st hand data (specific areas targeted) and opportunities to network with others
Clarification
Disadvantages
Unwilling or personal bias
Limited time available
Disingenuous responses
Discuss the advantages and limitations of each of the sources of data
GROUP
Advantages
First hand data→ wide range of knowledge and skills accessed
Disadvantages
May be biased or political views (depends on interest group)
Conflicting opinions
Discuss the advantages and limitations of each of the sources of data
PRINT
Advantages Secondary data (Generally reliable if published) Wide range of resources on many subjects
Disadvantages
May be out of date compared to digital
May be censored or biased
may generalised rather than specialised
Discuss the advantages and limitations of each of the sources of data
DIGITAL
Advantages
Up to date info from wide range of resources
Easy to access and overcome problems of distance
Disadvantages
Skill, time, cost involved with accessing technology
Sometimes difficult to validate info, as many people able to put out info easily
Reliability and validity
Dependent on each other to measure what intend to
Reliability
Consistency of results
Validity
Measurement that accurately reflects was it was intended to measure aka the accuracy of the results
Data set:
Both reliable + valid = consistent & close to the truth
Reliable but invalid = consistent but not truthful
Unreliable and invalid = inconsistent and untruthful
Explain how sampling contributes to reliable and valid research
Size = vary depending on factors eg topic, time, availability and access to people
Careful + appropriate sampling = important in achieving reliable research outcomes
Reliability in research = accurate rep of pop being studied is achieved = only occurs if appropriate rep sample was selected at beginning of research process
Ethical Behaviour
Ethics = system of moral principles/standards governing conduct
In research EB = protects rights of participants + researcher
Ethical issues often identified during planning stage
EB BIAS
When a range of factors unfairly influences the outcomes of research results = distorts them
Research always influenced by personal values; important to remain objective in methods, how implemented, how interpret + present results
Occurs at any stage
Must interpret results as they appear + not as would like them to be
Interviewing the first 10 people you see
EB INTEGRITY
Honesty + treating participants in an honest way
Truthful data without cheating/bias
People have a right to know who you are, school, purpose + nature of research SO research must be honest about purpose, how will be used + who has access to findings
Sources = must be acknowledged (in-text + complete bibliography)
OF RESEARCHERS - telling participants who you are and providing a copy of results
of DATA - never falsifying evidence findings
EB RESPECT
Treat people properly + with respect for their feelings, age, status, health + experiences
Ensure no home comes to them
not asking them invasive questions they have not consented to in order to embarrass them
EB Privacy
Researcher = needs to protect confidences + identity of al involved
People have right to anonymity, confidentiality, withdraw anything said that was intended to be used in project, feel no risk to their wellbeing, refuse to be involved
Researcher must have consent of all participants to use their views
having consent of people who partake to use their views through contract
Assess the importance of ethical behaviour when conducting research by considering the following:
Sensitive research topics
Respect: Honours people’s wished Avoids offending people Reduces awkwardness or confrontation + makes people feel comfortable = more genuine responses sexuality or politics
Assess the importance of ethical behaviour when conducting research by considering the following:
Confidentiality
PRivacy
Results in more genuine responses = people know they aren’t identifiable
Safety + reputation = intact as won’t be damaged/threatened by what they express
Assess the importance of ethical behaviour when conducting research by considering the following:
Research bias
BIAS
Affects validity + reliability of data
If little/no bias = reliability + validity of data increased
Assess the importance of ethical behaviour when conducting research by considering the following:
Crediting sources of data
Integrity
Acknowledges 2ndary data used
Shows data = legitimate + not falsified
Details date of sources = if outdated, affects the validity and reliability of source
Research methods
Questionnaires,
Describe each research methodology and evaluate the suitability of each for different research topics
Written questionnaires are left with respondents to complete and are collected later
Advantages
Respondents able to complete at their leisure + easy to use
Can send to more people (wide range of data) = inexpensive
Weaknesses:
May not able to get them back before due date
Research methods unstructured interviews,
Describe each research methodology and evaluate the suitability of each for different research topics
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
Research methods structured interviews,
Describe each research methodology and evaluate the suitability of each for different research topics
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
Research methods Lit Rev
Describe each research methodology and evaluate the suitability of each for different research topics
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
Research methods Obs
Describe each research methodology and evaluate the suitability of each for different research topics
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 info
Research methods Case Studies
Describe each research methodology and evaluate the suitability of each for different research topics
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)
often not possible (can be subjective, bias)
Select and utilise appropriate research methods to conduct research
IRP = questionnaire selected - Q = appropriate = allowed for: Plethora of responses to be collected QUICKLY PERSONAL OPINIONS Qualitative data (open q’s) Quantitative data (closed q’s) in tally
Research process
PLANNING FOR RESEARCH:
Formulating a research proposal
Select research focus and select appropriate sampling method, size and group
Develop IRP plan
Research process
PLANNING FOR RESEARCH:
Managing resources, (E.g. time, materials)
Timeline of tasks to be completed
Keep data organised (Have IRP diary), Back up sources of data
CONDUCTING RESEARCH
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
CONDUCTING RESEARCH
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 ,
CONDUCTING RESEARCH
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
INTERPRETING RESEARCH
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)
INTERPRETING RESEARCH
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
INTERPRETING RESEARCH
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
