Research Process 1- Research Design

Question 1

What does a research method include ?

Answer 1

• An underpinning philosophy (research paradigms)- pragmatism, positivism and interpretivism
• A strategy for recruiting participants
• Methods of data collection
• Methods of data analysis
• Strategies for facilitating reliability and validity (quantitative) or trustworthiness (qualitative).

Question 2

What is a research design ?

Answer 2

• Research design is the overall plan which identifies the way in which the study will be carried out. The design should be like a framework/blueprints.
• Design can only be described in retrospect.

Question 3

What are the three essential elements of a true experiment ?

Answer 3

• Randomisation
• Manipulation
• Control

Question 4

What are the classification of experimental design ?

Answer 4

• Between-participant design
• Within- participants design
• Matched pairs design

Question 5

What does between- participants design involve ?

Answer 5

• Post-test only design
• Pre-test, post-test design
• Solomon four design

Question 6

What is post-test only design ?

Answer 6

Participants are randomised into either the experimental or control group. Experimental group receives the new treatment and the control group received the conventional treatment

• The impact of both are then measured
• This design is simple but comes with limitation: does not taken into account pre-intervention dependant variable data.
• Differences in the dependent variable may be caused by individual differences between the two groups
• Having a criteria can reduce the limitation.

Question 7

What is pre-test, post-test design ?

Answer 7

• Addresses the weakness of the post-test only design
• Involves the collection of dependent variables data before the independent variable is introduced
• Limitations: individual differences, also conducting the pre-test design may impact upon the independent variable.

Question 8

What is the Solomon four design ?

Answer 8

Pre-test data is not collected on all the participants. Following recruitment, participants are randomised to one of four groups:

• 1. In group 1 the group have the pre-test and receive the experimental treatment.
• 2. In group 2 the group have the pre-test and receive the conventional treatment.
• 3. Group 3 the group do not have the pre-test and receive the experimental treatment.
• 4. In group 4 do not have the pre-test and receive the conventional treatment.
• Enables the researchers to compare the two groups who received the experimental treatment and compare the two groups who had conventional treatment and also compare the impacts of pre-test.
• The limitation of individual differences still remains.

Question 9

What is the within-participants design ?

Answer 9

• This design overcomes the problem of individual differences
• Each participant is exposed to both experimental and control treatment. Once they have been exposed to the two groups, the researchers can also compare the differences in individual participants response.
• Limitations- order effect which is when whatever is done first influences the final findings of the study.

Question 10

What is the matched pair design ?

Answer 10

• Gold standard- eliminates the limitation for the other two designs.
• Participants in the experimental and control groups are matched as closely as possible – minimise the impact of individual between participants.
• However, matching can be time-consuming

Question 11

What are the classifications of non-experimental research designs ?

Answer 11

• Cross-sectional design
• Longitudinal design
• Delphi design
• Retrospective design

Question 12

What is the cross-sectional design ?

Answer 12

• collection of data either at one point in time or a number of times over a very short time period. Strength- economical, doesn’t require on-going commitment

Question 13

What is longitudinal design ?

Answer 13

• Most commonly used in surveys and cohort studies. Involves the repeated collection of data at pre-specified intervals from the same sample over the set of a period of time. Identifies patterns and trends and to measure changes over time. Gain detailed insight into the issue of investigation. Over time the researchers may be able to make links between the variables that they are measuring- associated risk factors

Question 14

What is Delphi design ?

Answer 14

• Starts with a recruitment of a panel. The aim of this design is to reach agreement of the topic and data collected under investigation. Participants can add, alter or retract information during the second stages.

Question 15

What is retrospective design ?

Answer 15

• Most commonly seen in case-control studies and historical research. Collection of data retrospectively whereby the dependent variable – The effect has already been affected by the independent- the cause. Participants with a particular condition are recruited and compared with participants who do not have the condition. Differences give the researcher indication of the causes.