research methods Flashcards
intro
o Use q and prompt if there is one (if struggling explain why the research process is followed instead of in first main body paragraph)
paragraph 1.1
- why the research process is followed
- why the research process is followed
o so we don’t fall victim to common sense
o so similar methods are being used to natural science
o so that reliable and valid empirical evidence is produced
paragraph 1.2
- common sense knowledge vs social science knowledge
- common sense knowledge vs social science knowledge
o common sense
knowledge most people have
anecdotal and subjective
could be fact but isn’t based on empirical evidence
o social science
explains the world around us from a social scientists perspective of thinking
based on empirical evidence and systematic research
objective and truthful
paragraph 2
- the research process
paragraph 2.1
o stage 1: review of literature and existing theories
o stage 1: review of literature and existing theories
to ensure the researcher knows the topic they’re researching well enough
to ensure the researchers aware of any possible existing research already done on the topic
paragraph 2.2
o stage 2: formation of a hypothesis or research question(‘s)
o stage 2: formation of a hypothesis or research question(‘s)
hypothesis: a way of stating a question the researcher wishes to investigate – states a prediction
a hypothesis usually involves proposing a possible relationship between two variables: the independent variable (what the researcher changes) and the dependent variable (what the researcher measures)
paragraph 2.3
o stage 3: operationalisation
o stage 3: operationalisation A
choice of an appropriate research method
* Surveys, interviews, experiments
o stage 3: operationalisation B
definition of concepts
* Concepts can be interpretated differently so the researcher must make clear what their research means
* Crucial for replication and interpreting results
o stage 3: operationalisation C
measurement
* Statistical tests that can be used: measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, correlation
o stage 3: operationalisation D
sampling
* Sample: group of objects or participants from a particular population
* Two types: random allocation (participants are randomly assigned to an experimental group) and systematic sampling (participants within the sample are systematically picked)
* Used because the entire global population (or even an entire particular population) can’t all be studied as it would be unpractical, so a representative sample is chosen instead to be studied
paragraph 2.4
o Stage 4: conducting the research
o Stage 4: conducting the research
The research is performed using the method chosen in the operationalisation stage
paragraph 2.5
o Stage 5: processing of results and analysis of data
o Stage 5: processing of results and analysis of data
Measures are applied and data is interpretated to draw conclusions
The results will either support or refute the hypothesis, and therefor either support or refute the theory
paragraph 2.6
o Stage 6: presentation or publication of results
o Stage 6: presentation or publication of results
The research findings are written up in the form of: article, book, documentary
Findings must be clear – referring back to the original research question then communicating whether the hypothesis has been accepted or rejected
The completed research will reveal the limitations of the study and any areas for further research
paragraph 3
data and reading
paragraph 3.1
primary source of data
primary source of data
paragraph 3.2
secondary source of data
secondary source of data
quantitative source of data
qualitative source of data
primary source of reading
secondary source of reading
laboratory
field
natural
covert
overt
questionnaire
structured
unstructured
