Research methods Flashcards
Quantitative research
Aim:
- nomothetic approach (derive universally applicable rules)
- these rules may be applied to the behaviour of large groups of individuals
Focus: behavioural manifestations (operationalisations)
Data: Numbers
Objectivity: more objective- the researcher is eliminated from the studied reality
Types:
- experiment
- quasi-experimental
- correlational study
Qualitative research
Aim:
- idiographic approach (in-depth understanding of a particular case or phenomenon)
- obtained knowledge isn’t a universal law, but it’s deeper in the sense that a particular case is understood more holistically
Focus: Human experiences, interpretations, meanings
Data: Texts
Objectivity: more subjective- researcher is included in the studied reality
- researcher is an integral part of the procedure and a “tool of measurement”
Types:
- observation
- interview
- focus group
- case study
Sample
a group of individuals taking part in the research study
Define sampling
process of recruiting individuals for participation
Define credibility
extent to which results of the study can be trusted to reflect the reliability
- study is credible when there are reasons to believe that its findings are true
Qualitative research study:
Credibility = trustworthiness
Quantitative research study:
Credibility = internal validity
Define bias
- characterises various distortions introduced to the findings by the researcher, research procedure, mistakes in process of measurement etc.
Define generalisability
extent to which results of the study can be applied beyond sample and setting used in the study itself
Sampling in quantitative research
Experimental studies and correlational studies
- random sampling
- stratified sampling
- self-selected sampling
- opportunity sampling
Sampling in qualitative research
- quota sampling
- purposive sampling
- theoretical sampling
- snowball sampling
- convenience sampling
Two types of quantitative research
- Experimental studies
2. Correlational studies
Generalisability in quantitative research
Experimental studies:
- External validity: ecological validity and population validity
- Construct validity
Correlational studies:
- population validity
- construct validity
Generalisability in quantitative research
- sample-to-population generalisation
- case-to-case generalisation
- theoretical generalisation
Credibility in quantitative research
Experimental studies:
- referred to as internal validity
- ways to improve this: controlling confounding variables; eliminating or keeping constant in all conditions
Correlational studies:
- referred to as credibility
- ways to improve: using reliale ways to measure the variables; avoid biases in interpreting results
Credibility in qualitative research
- referred to as credibility/trustworthiness
- ways to improve this: triangulation, establishing a rapport, iterative questioning, reflexivity, credibility checks, thick descriptions
Bias in qualitative research
Experimental studies- Threats to internal validity:
- selection, history and maturation
- testing effect and instrumentation
- regression to the mean
- experimenter mortality
- experimenter bias
- demand characteristics
Correlational studies:
- While measuring variables: depends on the method of measurement
- While interpreting findings: curvilinear relationships, third variable problem, spurious correlations
Bias in qualitative research
Participant bias:
- acquiescence
- social desirability
- dominant respondent
- sensitivity
Researcher bias:
- confirmation bias
- leading questions bias
- question order bias
- sampling bias
- biased reporting
Variable
any characteristic that is objectively registered and quantified
Construct
any theoretically defined variable eg. violence, attraction, memory, anxiety
- constructs need to be operationalised
What does it mean to operationalise a construct?
means expressing the construct in terms of observable behaviour
A good operationalisation will:
- capture the essence of the construct
- be clearly measurable
Independent variable
variable that is manipulated by the experimenter
Dependent variable
variable that changes as a result of the manipulation by the experimenter- the one that is measured
Confounding variables
other variables (other than IV and DV) that can interfere in the relationship between the IV and the DV - this is to ensure that it is the change in the IV that causes the change in the DV
Target population
the group of people to which the findings of the study are expected to be generalised
- sample: group of people that take part in the experiment; a sub-set of the target population
Target population and generalisability
- results of quantitative research need to be able to to be generalised from the sample to the target population
- for this to be possible, sample must be representative of the target population
- a sample is representative if it reflects all of the essential characteristics of the target population