Week 1 Flashcards
what is the nature of research?
1• systematic
2• logical
3• empirical
4• reductive
5• replicable
what is systematic?
variables must be identified and the research is designed to test the relationship between variables
what is logical?
examination of the methods and procedures used in research allows researchers to evaluate the conclusions they have made
what is empirical?
researchers collect data on which to base decisions
(i.e., it is not just theory or logic)
what is reductive?
researchers use the data to establish general relationships
Occam’s razor (i.e., the simplest explanation is most likely – a single cause of disease)
Hickam’s dictum (i.e., there could be multiple causes of disease, or multiple diseases)
what is replicable?
process is recorded enabling others to repeat the findings or extend them (i.e., documentation must be clear and easy to understand)
describe the scientific method of problem solving?
- Identify and delimit a problem: Define the problem and its boundaries/limits.
Independent & dependent variable - Searching, reviewing, analysing, integrating, summarising relevant literature: What is the context? What is known already? What is not known?
- Specifying/defining testable hypotheses: What do you expect will be observed?
- Designing research to test the hypotheses: Appropriate study design (e.g., treatment, intervention) and methods for collecting data including control conditions
Internal and external validity
- Selecting participants and gathering data: Recruiting a specific population? Comparison groups? Timing?
- Analysing and reporting the results: Data analysis, statistics, or identifying and summarising themes?
- Discussing meaning and implications: Why is this relevant? What does this add?
what is the independent variable?
what is being manipulated or the groups
what is the dependent variable?
what is being measured and might change/be different
what is internal validity?
can the results of the study be attributed to the treatments in the study?
what is external validity
the generalisability of the results
what are the non scientific methods of problem solving?
Tenacity
Intuition
Authority
Rationalistic method
Empirical method
what is tenacity
Tenacity: People cling to beliefs despite lack of supporting evidence
(e.g., a coach wears the same hat to competitions, athletes have a pre-match routine)
what is the intuition?
Intuition: Common sense/knowledge, self-evident – but there may be no evidence!
(e.g., it is obvious that drinking caffeine will improve sporting performance)
What is authority?
Authority: A position of power or responsibility or the qualifications someone holds
(e.g., a football club manager or a professor of nutrition who is very active on social media)
What is rationalistic method?
Rationalistic method: Knowledge through reasoning, but it could be a logical fallacy!
“Basketball players are tall, Tom is a basketball player, therefore Tom is tall…”
“I ate some cucumber, I have indigestion, the cucumber gave me indigestion…”
What is the empirical method?
Empirical method: “a description of data that is based on observations”
But your own experiences may be limited/different to others and subject to bias
What is inductive reasoning?
what is deductive reasoning?
What are the two main categories of research?
- basic: addresses theoretical problems under controlled conditions with limited direct application
- applied: addresses immediate problems, less controlled, the findings have direct value to practitioners
What is Basic vs. applied research is on a continuum:
Some studies have features of both categories
what is ecological validity
The extent to which research emulates the real world and is it generalisable
What are the 5 main types of research?
Analytical
Descriptive
Experimental
Qualitative
mixed
What is analytical research
In-depth study and evaluation of information to explain complex phenomena
- Historical research
•Events that have already happened: events, organisations, institutions and people
- Philosophical research:
•Critical enquiry that establishes hypotheses, facts, evidence, and theory.
- Reviews:
•Critical evaluation of recent research on a specific topic or theme
•Analysis, evaluation, integration of literature providing a summary
- Research synthesis:
•Systematic review – contains methodology, analyses methods, rigor, strength, inclusion/exclusion criteria, results, interpretation
•Meta-analysis – takes data from studies and converts into a standard metric to enable comparisons and statistical analysis to draw more reliable conclusions
What is descriptive research?
Information is collected without changing the environment (i.e., no manipulation)
•“Observational” – describes characteristics of a population or phenomenon
• Questionnaire
• Interview
• Normative survey: a type of survey that presents results in the form of comparative standards
• Case study: Detailed information about one person, one community, one institution
• Observational research: Behaviours observed in a natural setting
What is experimental research?
Involves manipulation of treatments/interventions to establish cause-and-effect
•Studies often have 2 groups (experimental vs. control) – best designs: randomised
•The researcher attempts to control all variables
What is qualitative research?
Explores and provides deeper insight into real world problems with reflection •
> Focus on “words” not “numbers”
> using “sense-making” (no hypothesis testing)
> interviews (structured, semi-structured, conversational) or focus groups
> observing variables/people and behaviour in the “real world”
What is mixed methods research?
- both quantitative and qualitative
- usually descriptive & experimental
What are the values in research?
Honesty: convey information truthfully and honouring commitments
Accuracy: report findings precisely and take care to avoid errors
Efficiency: use resources wisely and avoid waste
Objectivity: let the facts speak for themselves and avoid improper bias
What is research and integrity
Conducting research in ways that are aligned with professional standards so that others can have confidence in the methods used and the research findings
What is research ethics
Research practice viewed from the perspective of moral principles
