WEEK 2 Flashcards
Why is research considered essential in solving societal problems ?
It allows for the systematic investigation and understanding of issues , enabling the development of solutions that address the needs and challenges faced by society
Explain the difference between research methodology and research methods ?
Research methodology is the overarching framework that includes the principles and systematic process guiding research while research methods are the specific techniques or procedures used to collect and analyze data within this framework
What is the purpose of a research philosophy and name two examples ?
A research philosophy guides how researchers approach data collection and interpretation.
Example include positivism which emphasizes objective observation and interpretivism which focuses on subjective understanding.
List the phases of the research process and briefly describe one
• identification
• literature reviews
• hypothesis formulation
• data collection
• data analysis
• interpretation
• reporting
How does literature review support the development of research questions and hypothesis?
It provides context , identifies gaps in existing research and helps refine research questions and hypotheses by showing where further exploration is needed.
What are key ethical considerations research must keep in mind during their study?
Researchers must obtain informed consent , ensure confidentiality, protect participant rights and well-being and conduct their study ethically to respect individuals and groups involved.
Differentiate between a research question and a hypothesis
A research question is an inquiry that the study seeks to answer , guiding data collection and analysis while a hypothesis is a testable , tentative statement or prediction about the relationship between variables in the study .
Describe the purpose of a research design in the research process
It is a blueprint for the study, outlining the methods and procedures that will be used to test the relationships among variables, ensuring that the research objective are met .
Why is sampling important in research and what is one sampling technique
Snapping allows researchers to study a subset of a population to make generalizations
One technique is random sampling where each member has an equal chance of being sampled
What does it mean for research to be reliable and valid?
Reliable refers to consistency no result across repeated measures while validity denotes accuracy and truthfulness of findings, ensuring they truly represent what they aim to measure
What are the characteristics of a well-formulated research problem statement ?
A good problem statement is
• factual
• meaningful
• relevant
• testable
• reflecting societal needs
Explain why data interpretation and conclusion are critical phases in the research process
Data interpretation helps makes sense of results, drawing conclusions that address research questions and contributing new insights to the body of knowledge
What is the significance of having a structured data collection process
ensures accuracy
relevance and completeness, reducing errors and improving the validity and reliability of research findings .
