Research Methods Flashcards
1
Q
How do we want to do research in community psych
A
- We want to find real life solutions to real life conflicts
- We want a complex understanding of people, the contexts in which they live, and the relationships that define them
- We want to see problems in their totality and not manipulate them like we do in experimental research
2
Q
What are the ecological levels of intervention
A
- Program
- Agency
- Community
- Institution
- Society
- How do they all work together to create problems
3
Q
What is the goal of community psych research
A
- First order and second order change
4
Q
Positivism
A
- Dominant philosophy of science
- Pursuit of objectivity and value free neutrality in research
- Understand cause and effect relationships
- Identify generalized laws of human behaviour (like the bystander effect)
- Experimental, quasi experimental methods
- Where a lot of psych research comes from
5
Q
Post-Positivism research methods
A
- Constructivist which created qualitative research
- Critical which created participatory research
- Participatory action research
6
Q
Constructivist
A
- Knowing occurs in relationship, product of social interaction
- Emphasis on knowing through connection, collaboration, mutual understanding
- Linked to qualitative research methods
7
Q
Critical
A
- Assume that knowledge is shaped by power relations
- Emphasis on recognizing and questioning one’s own power affects research
- Activist stance to create social change
- Linked to participatory and action research methods, because we want to share the power
8
Q
Participatory action research
A
- A collaborative approach involving researchers and community members
- An investment in the community beyond a focus of analysis and a source of data
- Community members actively participate in all aspects of the research
- A research approach but not a set of methods
9
Q
Kurt Lewin’s approach on action research
A
- Attempt to develop methods to deal with social problems such as poverty, fascism, anti-semitism
- It is a cyclical process where we have to:
- Formulate a plan of action
- Implementing the plan
- Studying outcomes from the plan
- Identify, understand, create a plan, implement the plan, and study the outcome, if something doesn’t work you can change the plan and try again
- Not participatory, but still action orientated
10
Q
Participatory research
A
- Combines research, education, and action
- Goal: structural transformation
- Focus: exploited or oppressed groups
- Mobilizing people to become more aware of their circumstances and their abilities and resources for change
- Ex: you’re homeless because of the system, not just because of your actions
- Missing the action, but it is important for critical consciousness (helping people understand)
11
Q
They key characteristics of participatory action research
A
- Participatory
- Cooperative, engaging community members and researchers in a joint process
- Co-learning process
- Systems development and local capacity building: people may meet each other creating more community
- Empowering process: people gain greater control over their lives (doesn’t always happen but it’s the goal)
- A balance of research and action
- Mixes action and participation
12
Q
Partnerships before beginning research
A
- Gain entry to the community
- Build relationships
- Build understanding of the community (needs, resources, etc.)
- Make research clearer
- But it is hard to get access to communities and get funding
13
Q
Research decisions
A
- Community research panel
- Collaborate with researchers in determining research questions, design and methods
- Collaborate on data collection and analysis
14
Q
Research products and impact
A
- Dissemination of findings in ways that will benefit the community
- Psychopolitical validity:
- Does research account for ecological influences on lives of individuals and communities
- Does research promote the capacity of research participants and community members to understand ecological forces acting on them and to promote change
15
Q
If there is not control variable in participatory action research how do we know it’s good
A
- Did the community like it/learn from it?
- Different ways at looking at validity: there may not be a scientific impact but there are different types of impact
- They can use this to advocate for change
16
Q
Limitations to participatory action research
A
- Often more an ideal
- Not appropriate for all research topics or situations
- Long term commitment
- Heavy demands on participants
17
Q
Eight characteristics of qualitative research
A
- Qualitative or textual data
- Immersion process for researcher
- Naturalistic
- Not just two variables, it’s about everything
- Subjectivity
- Inductive
- Concerned with depth rather than breadth
- Rigorous
