W1- Intro to Research Methods Flashcards
What is research?
systematic process of collecting and analyzing information
- process of discovering new knowledge (components in a total process)
- based on certain assumptions
What is good research?
based on works of others, activity that can be replicated, generalizable to other settings, based on logical rationale and tied to theory, doable, able to generate new questions, incremental
Why do we research?
- improve understanding
-allow for interpretation - determines strength of relationship b/w 2 variables (quantitative)
- allows for in depth analysis (qualitative)
What are the goals of research?
- description
-explanation
-prediction
-control
What is methodology?
set of rules & procedures that indicated how research is to be conducted
define methods?
specific data collection and analysis procedures and techniques (for gathering evidence)
What are the different types of methodological approaches?
-positivist approach
- interpretive approach
- critical approach
what is the positivist approach?
emphasis on controlling physical and social environments
(aka instrumental approach)
- uses deduction
- quantitative and experimental knowledge
What is the interpretive approach?
examines how people make sense of their lives
(aka naturalistic)
- qualitative
-concerned with issues of dependability and transferability
what is the critical approach?
examines societal structures and power relations;
- goal is to achieve/promote social justice
-values are absolute
- includes materialistic, feminist, and queer theory
-based on reflective knowledge
what assumptions are made when using the positivist approach?
- all behavior is naturally determined
-humans are part of the natural world - nature is orderly and regular
- all objective phenomena are eventually knowable
- nothing is self evident
truth is relative
-knowledge comes from experience
What assumption(s) are made when using the critical approach?
assumes all behavior is influenced by power issues
what does “based on the work of others” entail when it comes to good research?
- identify current state of knowledge
- identify knowledge gaps
- research agenda
what does “activity that can be replicated” entail when it comes to good research?
methods/procedures should be replicable
replicability= mark of credible/scientific research
- can form basis for further work in same area
what does “generalizable to other settings” entail when it comes to good research?
- results should be able to stand up in a different but related setting
- some research has limited generalizability (esp. when replicating exact conditions for studies)
what does “based on some logical rationale and ties to theory” entail when it comes to good research?
research findings should fit into larger (theoretical) picture
- place findings into current state of knowledge
what does “doable” entail when it comes to good research?
- feasible (lengthy, complex, expensive projects likely face lots of criticism)
- clear questions (not vague)
- consider timeframe/budget/resources
what does “able to generate new questions” entail when it comes to good research?
-provide foundation for further study
- identify limitations/restrictions in one study and offer suggestions for future research
- part of large research agenda
what does “incremental” entail when it comes to good research?
- one research project may make only a small contribution to knowledge
- many small studies in a particular area produces body of knowledge (systematic review)
What are the different types of research?
- descriptive
- explanatory
- Pure/basic research
- Applied research
- Quantitative
- Qualitative
What is descriptive research?
WHAT is happening
- census
- public opinion polls
- market research
What is explanatory research?
i.e. WHY does soluble fiber intake (x) lower cholesterol levels (y)?
What is pure/basic research?
goal: expand knowledge and test theories
- values knowledge for own sake
- value free research
What is applied research?
goal: solve problems
eg. change health care practices
- focuses on variables that can be changed by intervention to achieve desired goals
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative?
Quantitative:
- single objective reality
-large samples
-deductive (hypothesis testing)
- control is important, outcome oriented
- positivist
-stat analysis
-tests theory
Qualitative:
- multiple realities
- small samples
-inductive
- reality is socially constructed
-develop theory
-process oriented
-rich descriptions
-control not important
- critical analysis
Give examples of quantitative research questions.
what is the relationship between tv watching and obesity?
what is the relationship between breakfast programs and cognitive function?
what is the relationship between exercise and fat mass?
Give examples of qualitative research questions
What is it like to be overweight/obese?
How do teachers deal with student who do not follow instructions?
What is it like for international students to study abroad?
What is the difference between deduction vs. induction?
Deduction:
- top down
- testing hypothesis
- quantitative
Induction:
- bottom up
- often exploratory
-qualitative
What are the types of units of analysis? What does each one focus on?
individuals- focus on most surveys and experiments and all qualitative research; individual level variables
aggregates- focus on properties of groups, communities, nations, population (eg. class, ethnic differences in health)
What is a dependent variable?
influenced by other variables
- effect in cause and effect
what is an independent variable?
influences other variables
-cause in cause and effect
what is a control variable?
variable that could influence relationship between independent & dependent
(intervening, condition, confounding)
what is an intervening variable?
variable that links independent variable (x) to a dependent one (y)
- how x influences y
What is a conditional variable? give an example.
variable that accounts for change in relationship between x and y when general conditions change.
eg. when ph is under 3, you know how x impacts y but otherwise you don’t
What is a confounding variable?
variable viewed as possible influence on both x and y
what does operationalization mean?
measurable variables
- reliability and validity
Define reliability
consistent results
define validity
getting the right answers (>90% clinically)
What is the Rinke & Berry research practice wheel?
education>utilization of knowledge>practice>questions>research>new knowledge (repeat in cycle)
What are the steps of the research process?
- Identify topic of interest
- gather background info and ensure access
- set research question(s)
- choose design and methodology
- develop necessary tools and method
- access your sample: begin data collection
- Organize & analyze data
8 Interpret results/define conclusions - Transfer knowledge
What should be considered when choosing a research design?
funding, time, availability of research assistants & participants, ethical issues, technical competence
What needs to be determined when planning the research question? What does each one mean?
aim: general statement of desired outcome
hypothesis: proposition about relationship between variables being tested
objective: steps necessary to answer research question
(combo of two depending on which kind of research you are doing)
What should be stated when planning a research question with a quantitative approach?
hypothesis and objectives
What should be stated when planning a research question with a qualitative approach?
aims and objectives
the research question should…
- be concise and straightforward
-be simple but focused
-lead into the design
a literature review is needed to determine…
who, what, and how
What is the purpose of a literature review?
summarizes what is already known
helps identify current gaps
what sources can research questions evolve from when planning a research question?
testing existing theories
observations and insights from practice
previous incomplete/ inconclusive research
What approaches can be used when planning a research question?
quant./qual. or combo of both depending on what’s known about topic
