Introduction to Research Module 1

Introduction to Research Module 1

• Research originates from the French word "recherche," meaning "to go about seeking."
• The root word is "search," implying looking for information.
• Research is a structured and systematic process for collecting and analyzing information.
• Research involves employing various qualitative and quantitative investigation techniques to obtain specific information on a particular subject or phenomenon. (McDermott, 2008)

Types of Research Methods

• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research
• Mixed methods research (combination of both)

Who are Researchers?

• Students
• Teachers
• Individuals investigating specific issues (e.g., best teaching method for Grade 12 students, the effectiveness of bleach)

Vocabulary Terms

• Hypothesis: A statement a researcher believes is true about variables in a study. It's a testable prediction about the relationship between those variables.
• Variable: Any element (person, place, thing, event, setting) that can impact the outcome of a study due to its capacity to change or take on different values.

Types of Variables

• Independent Variable: A variable a researcher manipulates to affect the outcome of the study. It's the cause or the variable responsible for the study outcome.
  • Examples: Living in a single-parent home, training students on test-taking skills
• Dependent Variable: A variable that's observed and measured in response to the independent variable. It's influenced by changes in the independent variable.
  • Examples: Academic achievement in school, performance on standardized tests
• Controlled Variable: Factors that need to be controlled or held constant to neutralize their effect on research. These variables are kept consistent.

Characteristics of the Research Process

• Structured and systematic
• Statement of expectations
• Adherence to specific rules
• Empirical approach (originating from observation and experience rather than theory)
• Collection and interpretation of data
• Replicability (ability to be repeated)

Research Designs

• Each type of research (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods) uses specific research designs.
• These designs provide direction for the procedures within research studies.

Activity

• Students should review a video, noting:
  • Two types of research and their differences
  • Examples of each research type
  • Two types of data sources and their differences

Activity (continued)

• Group the following as primary or secondary sources:

  • Survey of sixth-formers at a lacrosse match
  • Sports News commentary on television
  • Geography textbook
  • CXC examination result data
  • Class register

Quantitative Research (Designs & Data Collection Methods)

• Concerned with testing hypotheses and estimating the scope of phenomena of interest.

• Involves collecting numerical data and analyzing it statistically.

• Statistics help discover associations and causal relationships between variables.

• Examples of numerical data:

  • Number of high school dropouts.
  • Number of persons supporting a political party.
  • Number of bleachers (e.g., at a sporting event)
  • Number of students achieving a particular grade in a subject

• Advantages:

  • Study trends, test hypotheses, make comparisons, establish causality, easy analysis, objective, representative

• Disadvantages:

  • May not focus on individual experiences, numbers can mask reality

Quantitative Research (continued)

• Quantitative Research Designs (Examples):

  • Survey design
  • Experimental design
  • Correlational studies

• Quantitative Data Collection Methods (Examples):

  • Questionnaires
  • Face-to-face interviews
  • Mail surveys
  • Telephone interviews
  • Computer-assisted telephone interviews
  • Online surveys

Qualitative Research (Designs & Data Collection Methods)

• Focuses on subjective data (feelings, emotions, values) to understand the reasons behind events.

• Researchers interact directly with participants (face-to-face or by joining activities).

• Examples of topics for qualitative study:

  • Real-world observations and dilemmas
  • Causes and reasons behind behaviors (e.g., why people bleach)

• Advantages:

  • Close to reality, more personal, in-depth feelings/meanings, rich description

• Disadvantages:

  • Subjective, unreliable, not measurable, not scientific, lacks credibility, possible misinterpretations

Qualitative Research (continued)

• Qualitative Research Designs (Examples):

  • Narrative
  • Phenomenological
  • Ethnographic
  • Case study
  • Grounded theory
  • Participatory Action Research
  • Discourse Analysis

• Qualitative Data Collection Methods (Examples):

  • Face-to-face interviews
  • Telephone interviews
  • Focus group discussions
  • Observations
  • Analysis of documents (e.g., journals, letters, meeting minutes, news cuttings)
  • Audio-visual materials (e.g., photos, videotapes, computer messages)

Sampling, Validity, and Reliability in Research

• Sampling: Selecting a subset of a population for a study.
  • Population: All relevant units/persons for the study.
  • Sampling Frame: List of members in the total population.
  • Sample: Actual subset of members selected
• Reasons for sampling:
• Make the study practical/manageable
• Reduce cost and time
• Ensure valid findings
• Factors Influencing Sampling:
  • Research Topic/Problem statement
  • Size of the population/sample
  • Data required/generalizations
  • Data collection technique

Validity in Research

• Validity: Assessing if a study's measures reflect what they’re intended to measure and if results are truthful.
• Considering Validity:
• Logical sequence/conclusion
• No mix of facts and opinions
• Sufficient and thorough information
• Factual accuracy
• Consistent use of terms
• Evaluating Validity:
  • Look at the accuracy and bias in the research.

Reliability in Research

• Reliability: Determining how consistent and dependable research is.

• Questions to consider about reliability:

• How trustworthy is the information?

• Is the information dependable?

• How consistent is the information?

• Factors Influencing Reliability:

  • Author qualification/expertise
  • Professional standards
  • Publisher's reputation/standards
  • Research method appropriateness
  • Primary or secondary data used

Data Types in Research

• Primary Data: Observed or collected firsthand directly.
• Secondary Data: Collected by someone other than the researcher.
• Correlational Data: Measures the association or co-variation of two or more variables.

Variable Types in Experiments

• Independent Variable: The variable you change during research. This cause results.
• Dependent Variable: The variable that changes in response to the independent variable

Next Steps

• Review two secondary sources and one text (e.g., McDermott).
• Begin evaluations for speeches.

Dive into the fundamentals of research in Module 1 of our introductory course. Explore the definitions, various types of research methods, and the roles of researchers. This module lays the groundwork for understanding qualitative and quantitative techniques vital for effective information gathering and analysis.