UNIT 1 - Introduction to the research process Flashcards
What is research?
A systemic investigation to establish facts and reach new conclusions
Why is research important?
Information gathered can be used to improve a field and provides theoretical framework needed to understand information reported by practitioners.
Primary research
Collected by the investigator conducting the research. Includes surveys, interviews etc.
Secondary research
On the basis of data collected from some other source.
Interviews
one-on-one or small group question and answer sessions
Provides a lot of information from a small number of people
Surveys
a form of questioning that is more rigid than interviews and involve larger groups of people.
Provided limited amount of information from a large group of people.
Observations
Involves taking organized notes about occurences in the world
Analysis
Collecting data and organizing it in some fashion based on criteria you develop
Inductive research approach
Begins with a research question and the collection of empirical data, which are used to develop a theory or hypothesis.
“Bottom up’ approach
A method of discovery
Deductive research approach
Begins with a theory driven hypothesis which guide data collection and analysis. At the end to determine if hypothesis is support or not
“Top down” approach
Ethnographic research
The study of current events involving the collection of extensive narrative data over an extended period of time.
Correlational research
determine whether and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more numerical variables.
Relational research
A study that investigates the connection between two or more variables
Positive correlation
Independent variable increases, the dependent variable decreases also increases
Negative correlation
Independent variable increases, dependent variable decreases
