What is research? Flashcards
Section learning outcomes
Define term research
Draw simple diagram of research process
Identify and define key stages of the generalised research process
Research defined
A process of systematic enquiry and reflection that seeks answers to a problem.
The process itself is a formal, structured, systematic approach to finding answers to a defined question (s).
Within a community of researchers who follow similar processes and use similar methods.
A structured way of finding out about the world and of reflecting on what the information gained through that process might mean.
Some may say that it is a political process by which powerful actors produce and use knowledge about others in order to pursue particular agendas.
It is a contested and complex activity.
Research in our everyday lives
The results of research are presented to us everyday in the form of newspaper articles, books, reports and television
EG crime level figures, diet and health
We are used to making our own judgements about research findings
Research evaluation - Making our own judgements about research findings
We assess the information with which we are presented
Form an opinion as to the validity and relevance
Come to our own conclusions
Research evaluations - Considerations include
Our understanding of question or problem to be answered Presentation of the findings Why was research conducted Who conducted the research What other people think How findings relate to us.
Research as a process
A series of linked activities.
Identification of a research topic or problem - Select, narrow and formulate the topic or problem to be studied and conduct preliminary literature search.
Literature search and review- Read around the subject to help clarify your research topic, questions and methods. Critically review literature to compare your research research with what has already been done and to give context.
Formulation of research questions, objectives and hypotheses - Define clear questions and/or hypotheses
Research approach, design and strategy - Select a research approach and design that will make it possible to answer research questions and plan the overall research strategy.
Data collection
Data analysis - Collected data are prepared in such a way that they describe and highlight what was found in the research. Analytical tools used to
Describe the data
Measure or explore relationships between the subjects or items of interest.
Generalisation and write-up - relates the evidence to the research question, draws conclusions about the question or hypotheses, acknowledges limitations of the research
And finally reflection along with organisational and planning notes perhaps in a research journal
Research process is not linear
Rather it is often an iterative or cyclical process.
Decisions made early in the research process are often revisited in the light of new insights or practical problems encountered along the way
The cyclical or iterative research process
When designing your research consideration of practical and conceptual issues may force you to reconsider your research question.
Difficulties with access to research sites or participants may cause you to reconsider your research question or your methods.
Issues arising during data collection mat suggest additional data is required or reveal problems with the original research question
Problems or new questions arising from analysis of data collected so far may result in the need to collect more data, sample elsewhere or employ a different technique
Finally and at last you progress to the report writing stage
There are numerous choices to be made within the research process - The onion diagram
MOVE IN LAYER BY LAYER Next - research philosophy Next - Role of theory Next - research design Next - strategy Centre - Data collection The choices at the centre may be contingent on those made further out
Other considerations in research planning
What types of output are required - who needs the information and for what purpose?
Research resources - time, funds, facilities, staff and access?
Ethical considerations - obtain informed consent from all participants, safety risks for researchers, confidentiality of all information given?
Research process terminology module definitions
PLAN - General plan of how research questions will be answered includes approach and design
RESEARCH APPROACH - The theoretical or conceptual
(philosopy) basis for the research
RESEARCH DESIGN - How data collection is organised to answer the research question.
RESEARCH STRATEGY - Methodological practice or tradition
DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES - How data are collected
What makes research scientific? Using the scientific method. What three other modes of knowing can be identified?
Authoritarian - individuals such as religious or political leaders. Kings or experts
Mystical - knowledge from the supernatural world
Rationalistic - from the school of rationalism derived from the rules of logic
Scientific knowledge is based on empirical observation
And observations are used to describe, understand and predict how the world works
Methodology is the procedures that observations are gathered, evaluated and used to produce new knowledge. What are the 3 criteria that are commonly used to evaluate scientific research?
Reliability - If I go back and repeat the measurements in the same conditions will I get the same results?
Replication - Is the methodology employed in the study reported in sufficient detail that a second researcher could repeat the study?
Validity - and integrity of conclusion for example is a causal relationship robust? Can we extrapolate findings outside the research context? (if no extrapolations then use the criteria of trustworthiness?)
Confidence in the results of a study demands?
Disciplined enquiry such that the data, arguments and reasoning are able to withstand examination by other members of the scientific community.
