Research methods Flashcards
What is validity in research?
Accuracy of findings
What is reliability in research
the extent to which research can be replicated
What is representativeness in research
when a sample accurately reflects the wider population being studied
What is Generalisability in research
Whether findings can be applied to participants in wider society
What are ethics in research
Moral guidelines that guide research
- avoid deception
- right to withdraw
- informed consent
- privacy and confidentiality
What is objectivity in research
Free from bias or opinion
What is qualitative data in research
Data that is rich and detailed in written form
Quantitative data?
Numerical data
Methodological Pluralism?
Using multiple methods in research
Methodological triangulation?
Using complimentary methods by bringing together different types of data
Gatekeeping
An individual or group that controls access to resources, opportunities or information
Operationalisation
Defining and specifying research concepts
Pilot study
A small scale test run
Positivism
Believe it is most important to establish objective facts ( quantitative )
Interpretivism
Believe it is most important to analyse opinions, emotions and values
Realism
Using quantitative and qualitative data to interpret peoples actions and social patterns
Sample
the participants selected for the research
Target population
the entire group if individuals that the researcher is interested in studying
Sampling frame
the accessible group of participants that can be studied
Simple random sampling
selecting participants in a way that allows everyone to have an equal chance of being selected
Stratified
researchers ensure that various sub-groups are proportionally included in their sample
Systematic
a researcher selects every nth person on the sampling frame to be part of the sample
Quota
selecting participants by ensuring specific numbers of participants from certain sub-groups are selected
Volunteer sampling
participants self select themselves to take part in the research
Opportunity sampling
also known as convenience sampling, involves selecting participants based upon their availability and accessibility
Snowball method
existing participants recruit or refer additional participants for the study
Practical issues
T - time = is it quick or time consuming
A- access = is it easy to access participants / data
C - cost = will the method cost a lot
C - characteristics = is it appropriate for the topic
Ethical issues
D- deception= research should not deceive participants
R- right to withdraw = participants should know procedures for leaving research and have awareness of what it involves
I- Involves consent= participants should give full consent for
research
P- protection from harm= participants and researchers should not be harmed
P- privacy and confidentiality= the privacy of participants should not be invaded and information should remain confidential
Theoretical issues
p- positivists= prefer research that is high in Reliability and Representativeness
I- interpretivists= prefer research that is high in Validity
Questionaires
self-completed questions. distributed via post. Internet, face to face,
Strengths and limitations of Questionnaires
+ large scale, no interviewer bias and confidentiality
- low response rate, ambiguous questions, limited responses
Surveys
Large scale self report methods. Can include questionnaires or interviews
Strengths and Limitations of Surveys
+ large scale, no interviewer bias and confidentiality
- low response rate, ambiguous questions, limited responses
Structured interviews
Set standardised questions answered verbally
Strengths and limitations of Structured interviews
+ high response rate, easy to replicate, larger scale
-time consuming, interviewer bias, more expensive
Unstructured Interviews
informal open ended questions, may have a general topic driven interview schedule but more conversational
Strengths and limitations of Unstructured Interviews
+ builds rapport, more ethically flexible, more opportunities to clarify
- time consuming, more training needed, difficult to quantify
Focus groups
group interviews based around a specific topic. Researcher guides discussion
Strengths and limitations of Focus groups
+ restores power imbalance, richer data, more authentic
- groups may be dominated by a few people, difficult to focus, peer pressure
Covert observations
Observing behaviour in natural settings covertly (undercover)
Strengths and limitations of covert observations
+ flexible, access to hidden worlds, natural behaviour
- note taking issues, observer bias, ethical issues
Overt observations
observing behaviour is natural settings openly
Strengths and limitations of overt observations
+ reduced ethical issues, more valid, less training required
- Hawthorne effect, harder to analyse data, difficult to replicate.
Official statistics
secondary method - qualitative data gathered by the government or organisations
Strengths and limitations of Official statistics
+ large amounts of data, allows comparison over time, socially reasonable
- represent the ideas of capitalism, no control over collection, ethical issues
Documents
secondary methods - qualitative data
Strengths and limitations of documents
+ allows for patterns over time, easy to access, more authentic
- unrepresentative, potential issues with authenticity, may have been written for a specific person
Ethnographic methods
Gaining an insight into the way of life of a group or individual.
Strengths and limitations of ethnographic methods
+ increased validity, consent is gained.
- difficult to replicate, difficult to analyse
Longitudinal studies
research carried out over an extended period of time.
