Research methods part A

Question 1

What are areas of health research?

Answer 1

• Treatment.
• Health Policy.
• Practices in health care.

Question 2

What are areas of child care research?

Answer 2

• Child development.
• Early years and child care development.
• Practices in early years and child care.

Question 3

What are areas of social care reseach?

Answer 3

• Interventions.
• Social care policy.
• Practices in social care policy.

Question 4

Issues with childcare studies?

Answer 4

• How to obtain informed consent.
• How to manage risk of harm.
• What to do with information gathered.

Question 5

What are the purposes of research?

Answer 5

• Improve practice.
• Improve outcomes for individuals.
• Establish evidence-base for treatment and interventions.
• Identify gaps in provision.
• Identify needs of groups of people.
• Inform policy.
• Increase knowledge and understanding.
• Measure impact.

Question 6

research methodology: what is quantitative data?

Answer 6

Quantitative is something that can be measured and is a reliable method. It is about measuring statistics or numerical data. It’s aim is to build evidence/disprove theories or hypothesis.

Question 7

What are pros/cons of quantitative data?

Answer 7

pro - large sample, reliable, data is easy to anonymise, make complex situation easier.
con - lacks depth, unable to follow up on answers, limited to set answers if survey used.

Question 8

Research methodology: What is qualitative data?

Answer 8

This is all about data that can’t be measured. This is data in words. This is to help get an in-depth understanding.

Question 9

What are pros/cons of qualitative data?

Answer 9

Pros - explores attitudes/behaviours, encourages discussions, allows for follow up.
Cons - Usually smaller sample, difficult to interpret, data analysis is more complex.

Question 10

Research methodology: What are mixed methods?

Answer 10

This is the use of both quantitative and qualitative data. This is used to gain a holistic understanding. Quantitative is best for finding out why is happening and qualitative is best for finding out why or how it’s happening.

Question 11

What are the pros/cons of mixed methods?

Answer 11

Pros - valid, reliable, cancels out some of the disadvantages of both methods.
Cons - expensive, time consuming, skills needed to analyse both types of data.

Question 12

Methods: what is primary research?

Answer 12

This is research that is carried out by the researcher themselves. This could be through surveys/questionnaires, observations, interviews and action research. Uses research methodology.

Question 13

Methods: What is secondary research?

Answer 13

This is research that is carried out from pre existing research done by someone else. They haven’t conducted this research themselves. This could be literature reviews, documentary sources or published statistics.

Question 14

Methods: What is an experimental method (randomised control trial)?

Answer 14

This is usually where participants are put into two random groups but all participants must be similar.. One group is given the treatment/intervention and the other is not. The outcomes are measured and controlled. This is the most reliable way to compare treatments and also means the researcher can’t be bias.

Question 15

what are pros and cons of a randomised controlled trail?

Answer 15

Pros - administering treatment/intervention is precise and controlled, can establish cause and effect by controlling variables, easier to replicate.
Cons - Expensive, time consuming, logistically challenging (organising/supervising) and results may not always replicate real life (less valid).

Question 16

Methods: What are questionnaires?

Answer 16

This is a variety of questions that can be done face to face, over the phone and online. This can collect qualitative/quantitative data and may consist of open/closed questions. Used to gather data on peoples experience, attitudes and opinions.

Question 17

What are the pros/cons of questionnaires?

Answer 17

Pros - can test someone easily, convenient, generalisable because large samples and cheap and quick.
Cons - social desirability so may lie, if research is present it may affect answers, difficultly to phrase questions so different interpretations.

Question 18

What are closed questions?

Answer 18

Only allows someone to answer that fit into pre decided categories. This usually involves a continuing rating scale which helps to measure the strength of attitudes eg strongly agree or disagree. This generates quantitative data.

Question 19

What are open question?

Answer 19

Allows people to express their opinions in their own words. Use as much detail as they want. This allows more in-depth knowledge to be gained because it encouraged someone to have a discussion and provide more detail.

Question 20

Methods: What are controlled observations?

Answer 20

This is a very structured observations where the researcher decides when, where, who. The behaviour they see is put into distinct categories or a scale to measure behaviour. This is so data can be counted and put into statistics. Usually overt as the research explains the purpose.

Question 21

What are pros/cons of controlled observations?

Answer 21

Pros - easily replicated so reliable, easy to analyse data because its quantitative and fairly quick so large sample.
Cons - May lead to someone acting different leading to a lack of validity. Known as HAWTHORNE EFFECT.

Question 22

Methods: What are naturalistic observations?

Answer 22

This is where participants are in their natural surroundings. The research records what they see.

Question 23

What are pros/cons of naturalistic observations?

Answer 23

Pros - observing in own setting increases validity, help to generate new ideas as they can see the whole situation.
Cons - may be done on a small scale so may not be generalisable, less reliable because can’t control other variable, researcher needs to be trained.

Question 24

Methods: What is participant observation?

Answer 24

Variant of naturalistic observation but the researcher joins in. This is to get a deeper understanding. This can be Covert or Overt.

Question 25

What are pros/cons of participant observations?

Answer 25

Pros - see what people do not what they say they do, natural setting so more natural so more valid, form bonds with participants so can dig deeper with other methods.
Cons - can be difficult to find time to get time/ privacy for recording eg research can’t take notes obviously if covert observation, if researcher gets involved it can become bias and lose objectivity.

Question 26

Covert VS overt.

Answer 26

Covert is when the research is undercover. Researchers real identity is concealed. Take a false identity and role to pose as a member of the group.
Overt - where the research says who they are and the purpose of the group and asks permission to observe.

Question 27

Methods: What is a structured interview?

Answer 27

This is where the interviewer has a set of prepared close ended questions. The interviewer says these questions exactly how they are written down. Interviewer will not deviate.

Question 28

What are pros/cons of structured interviews?

Answer 28

Pros - easy to replicate so very reliable, fairly quick to conduct so can be done on a large scale.
Cons - not flexible so questions can’t be asked to prompt you, lack detail in answers.

Question 29

Methods: What are unstructured interviews?

Answer 29

Don’t have a set of questions. Asks open ended questions on a set topic. They can modify questions to make it easier to understand. More like a guided conversation.

Question 30

What are pros/cons of unstructured interviews?

Answer 30

Pros - more flexible to fit to individuals needs, qualitative data so research can get a deep understanding, increased validity as they can probe for more detail.
Cons - time consuming, employing and training can be expensive.

Question 31

Methods: What are semi-structured interviews?

Answer 31

This is a set of questions but they can probe for more detail. Contain components of both interviews. Set of same questions to ask everyone. However, the questions may be asked differently.

Question 32

Methods: What are semi-structured interviews?

Answer 32

This is a set of questions but they can probe for more detail. Contain components of both interviews. Set of same questions to ask everyone. However, the questions may be asked differently.

Question 33

Methods: What are focus groups?

Answer 33

This is a qualitative approach where people are interviewed together. From a purposely selected group. The interviewer has to ensure the group interacts and encourages everyone to contribute. The interviewer must be highly skilled so they know when to probe.

Question 34

What are pros/cons of focus groups?

Answer 34

Pros - qualitative data to help get an understanding of a situation (may also include facial expressions/body language), increased validity as feel more comfortable.
Cons - ensure that participants information is confidential, interviews are less reliable as the are open ended questions, lack validity.

Question 35

Methods: What are case studies?

Answer 35

In depth investigations on someone or a group. Usually gathered by a variety of sources.

Question 36

What are pros/cons of case studies?

Answer 36

Pros - rich qualitative info, insight into further research, investigate a topic in far more detail compared to dealing with large numbers, help generate new ideas.
Cons - difficult to replicate, time consuming and expensive, can’t mean that the case study is representative because it’s based on one person/group.

Question 37

Methods: What is action research?

Answer 37

This is used for improving practice. This is action, evaluation and critical reflection on evidence gathered. The cycle of posing questions, gathering data, watch and then reflect allowing you to come a solution. This is about coming up with a potential solution to a problem and seeing what you can do. Plan, Act, Observe, Reflect.

Question 38

What are pros/cons of action research?

Answer 38

Pros - can use quantitative and qualitative, gain in depth knowledge and high level of practical relevance.
Cons - can be messy, can’t usually be generalised, could be potentially bias when the researcher choses the groups.

Question 39

Methods: What is a literature review?

Answer 39

This is a mix of scholarly articles, books and other sources that are relevant to a certain issue/area of research. This is an up to date overview of research. It uses primary research reports, academic literature and other documents.

Question 40

What are pros/cons of a literature review?

Answer 40

Pros - Brings together what has been acomplished without repetition, identifies gaps in research, can focus in one area.
Cons - not always reliable, chances review being biased as researcher chose.

Question 41

Method: What are documentary sources?

Answer 41

This can be public which is ongoing records of an organisations activities like annual reports, handbooks and policy manuals. Probably also NHS and Ofsted.
Can be personal documents like first person accounts, blogs, journals and newspapers.
Could be historical (created in the past)

Question 42

What are pros/cons of document sources?

Answer 42

Pros - in depth data, sometimes only source available, cheap, practical and quick so saves time.
Cons - validity issues due to unknown credibility, representativeness, reliability, ethics of using diaries.

Question 43

Methods: What are official statistics?

Answer 43

The collecting and analysing numerical data in large samples.
Government health agencies would benefit from knowing overall health of populations with statistical information.
Census data helps the government know how to distribute funds and assistance to states.

Question 44

What are pros/cons of official statistics?

Answer 44

Pros - cheap, less time consuming, patterns are clear, generalisability is high as taken from large samples.
Cons - lacks detail, not always valid, statistics from some areas may not exist.

Question 45

Sampling methods: What is whole population sampling?

Answer 45

Where the whole population is of interest so all characteristics are desired. Practical when the whole population is a manageable size.

Question 46

Sampling methods: What is whole population sampling?

Answer 46

Where the whole population is of interest so all characteristics are desired. Practical when the whole population is a manageable size.

Question 47

What are pros/cons of whole population sampling?

Answer 47

Pros - less likely to miss a subgroup of people, get a deeper insight into what you are interested in.
Cons - can be time consuming and challenging, impossible to make statistical generalisations.

Question 48

Sampling methods: What is random sampling?

Answer 48

Where everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected. You have to number/name the target population and then use some form of raffle method.

Question 49

What are pros/cons of random sampling?

Answer 49

Pros - eliminates bias, should represent target population.

Cons - very difficult like time, effort, money.

Question 50

Sampling methods: What is stratified sampling?

Answer 50

Where the researcher identifies people that make up the population and work out what is needed to make a representative sample. A list is made of each variable which may affect the sample.

Question 51

What are pros/cons of stratified sampling?

Answer 51

Pros - avoids bias, highly representative.

Cons - gathering data would be extremely time consuming.

Question 52

Sampling methods: What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 52

Uses people at the time that are willing to take part. bias on convenience.

Question 53

What are pros/cons of opportunity sampling?

Answer 53

Pros - quick.

Cons - may not have representative sample, bias.

Question 54

What is provide benefit in terms of ethical principles?

Answer 54

This is the positive impact from the research to the people directly involved. Also, has to contribute to knowledge, economy, individuals and society.

In practice - ethics review board evaluate the benefit to the risk of harm.

Question 55

What is cause no harm in terms of ethical principles?

Answer 55

This is ensuring welfare of people to cause no harm. When someone may lack capacity they must ensure that they are protected from harm. Some people will be excluded.

In practice - obtain informed consent, protect confidentiality, avoid deceptive practices and allow people to withdraw.

Question 56

What is obtaining informed consent in terms of ethical principles?

Answer 56

Should be providing individuals with the information that they understand. It should include procedures, purpose and risks. Allowing them to withdraw at any time. If someone cannot understand special provisions may be needed.

In practice - explain the research, usually written consent form or information sheet. Must be obtained prior to the research activities.

Question 57

What is protect anonymity or confidentiality in terms of ethical principles?

Answer 57

This is identifying and modifying any personal data provided by participants. Anonymity refers to collecting data without collecting personal information.

In practice - password protected computers, encryption when sending information, only report collective findings and don’t take personal details.

Question 58

What is avoid deception in terms of ethical principles?

Answer 58

This is where participants are wrongly led. Researchers must be honest with participants. There can be deliberate misleading and deception by omission.

In practice - Information sheets and informed consent. When deception is used then researchers must debrief subjects. the debrief gives full information about the study.

Question 59

What is allow the right to withdraw in terms of ethical principles?

Answer 59

This means someone should be able to leave the study whenever they want to.

In practice - GDPR rights apply to all participants. If the data has been de-identified then no right to access exists. This will be discussed in information sheets and the debrief at the end.

Question 60

What is ensure transparency and integrity in terms of ethical principles?

Answer 60

Research should be designed, reviewed and undertaken to ensure integrity standards are met. Unacceptable practices include fabrication by the creation of false data, plagiarism and misrepresentation of data.

In practice - accurate referencing, declaring conflicts of interest, clear/accurate/secure records.

Question 61

How does the Human Rights Act relate to research methods?

Answer 61

Defend your rights in court and treat everyone with fairness, dignity and respect. Two most appropriate rights are right to respect of family life and private life and right to not be tortured.

Question 62

How does the Data Protection Act relate to research methods?

Answer 62

Protects the way someone handles data ensuring it is kept for no longer than needed, used for it’s intended purpose and kept secure.

Question 63

What is the ethics review board?

Answer 63

This is about helping the researcher think about ethical issues. Encourages them to think about the consequences. Ethics Committee will review the ethics when personal data is being collected. This ensures participants are safe.