RESEARCH METHODS- FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE OF METHOD Flashcards
What are the advantages of using questionnaires completed by students?
They are a quick way to gather a large amount of data on variables like age, gender, ethnicity, and eating habits.
What is a disadvantage of using questionnaires with students?
Students may lie in their responses to appear better (e.g., claiming to choose fruit over cake).
Why would interviews with canteen staff, the headteacher, and the finance manager be useful?
They provide detailed information on how decisions about school food are made, such as why unhealthy fizzy drinks might be allowed.
What is a potential limitation of interviewing stakeholders like staff and management?
The process is time-intensive and may be difficult to arrange.
What is an advantage of participant observation of meal selection?
It allows the researcher to see how students make food choices and understand factors like peer pressure.
What is a disadvantage of participant observation?
The researcher might misinterpret behaviors, attributing them to peer pressure when other factors are involved.
What insights can group interviews with parents provide?
They reveal parents’ attitudes toward school food, preferences for school meals versus packed lunches, and related concerns.
What is a limitation of group interviews with parents?
Group dynamics may influence responses, and parents may lie to appear as ‘good parents.’
What are practical factors influencing the choice of research methods?
Time and money, funding body requirements, researcher’s skills, subject matter, and research opportunities.
How does time and money affect research?
Longitudinal studies require more time and money, while small-scale projects are less resource-intensive.
How can the funding body influence the choice of methods?
They may require specific data formats, such as quantitative data.
Why are the researcher’s personal skills important?
Good interpersonal skills are needed for qualitative methods like interviews, while less skilled researchers may avoid them.
How does subject matter affect the choice of research method?
Certain topics may be challenging due to access limitations (e.g., male researchers studying all-female groups).
What is an example of a research opportunity influencing method choice?
A post-graduate student with TB used their hospitalisation to study institutionalisation in patients.
What are key ethical issues in research?
Informed consent, confidentiality, effects on participants, vulnerable groups, and covert research.
