Methods of Research Design

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor informing the selection of a research design?

Audience for the study

The length of the study (correct)

Worldview assumptions

Personal experiences of the researcher

Qualitative research never involves numerical data.

True

What type of strategies does quantitative research include?

True experiments, quasi-experiments, and correlational studies.

Ethnography studies an intact cultural group in a ________ setting.

natural Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of survey research?

To provide a quantitative description of trends, attitudes, or opinions of a population. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following research strategies with their descriptions:

Quantitative Strategies = Strategies that involve numeric descriptions and statistical analysis Qualitative Strategies = Approaches focusing on understanding and interpreting meanings Ethnography = Study of a cultural group in a natural setting Grounded Theory = Deriving theories from data collected from participants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of grounded theory?

Using constant comparison of data with emerging categories Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of phenomenology in research?

To understand the lived experiences of subjects Signup and view all the answers

What does narrative research rely on when studying individuals?

Stories shared by the individuals about their lives Signup and view all the answers

What defines sequential mixed methods research?

Using one method to influence the choice of the subsequent method Signup and view all the answers

In what way does concurrent mixed methods research approach data collection?

It collects both quantitative and qualitative data together. Signup and view all the answers

When did the concept of mixing different research methodologies originate?

1959 Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'bracketing' refer to in phenomenological research?

Researchers putting aside their own biases and experiences Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of methods is used in a typical sequential mixed methods research design?

Quantitative followed by qualitative Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using mixed methods research?

Eliminates the need for statistical analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of using a quantitative approach in research?

To test theories or explanations Signup and view all the answers

When is a qualitative approach most appropriate for a research problem?

When exploring a phenomenon with little existing research Signup and view all the answers

What does a transformative mixed methods design primarily utilize?

A theoretical framework as perspective Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of mixed methods research?

It combines strengths from both qualitative and quantitative research Signup and view all the answers

Which situation would most likely lead a researcher to choose a quantitative design?

Testing a hypothesis about the influence of a variable Signup and view all the answers

How might a researcher's personal training influence their choice of research design?

Technical training may lead to a preference for quantitative approaches Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about data collection methods is true?

Mixed methods can include both sequential and concurrent approaches Signup and view all the answers

What is a major limitation of solely using a quantitative approach in research?

It lacks the depth of understanding complex phenomena Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary intent of an experimental design?

To test the impact of a treatment on an outcome Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a key advantage of survey designs?

They can generalize from a small sample to a large population Signup and view all the answers

What type of survey design involves data collected at only one point in time?

Cross-sectional survey Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a mixed methods researcher?

Combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches Signup and view all the answers

When conducting a survey, what must a researcher identify first?

The population to be surveyed Signup and view all the answers

In what situation would qualitative methods be preferred over quantitative methods?

When in-depth understanding of personal experiences is needed Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains the purpose of survey research?

To generalize findings from a sample to a larger population Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of long-term data collection in surveys?

Allows trends to be observed over time Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Design

Research design encompasses plans and procedures from broad assumptions to detailed data collection methods.
Key components include worldview assumptions, inquiry procedures (strategies), and data collection/analysis methods.
Selection of research design is influenced by the nature of the research problem, personal experiences of the researcher, and the study's intended audience.

Strategies of Inquiry

Inquiry strategies are specific types of qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods within a larger research design.
The evolution of strategies has been driven by advancements in technology and the development of new social science research methodologies.

Quantitative Strategies

Historically associated with a postpositivist worldview, involving true experiments, quasi-experiments, correlational studies, and single-subject experiments.
More recent strategies incorporate complex experiments with multiple variables (such as factorial designs) and structural equation models highlighting causal paths among variables.
Survey research is key for understanding population trends, using sampling methods for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with structured data collection techniques.

Experimental Research

Aims to assess the effect of a specific treatment by comparing outcomes between a treatment group and a control group.
Includes true experiments (with random assignment) and quasi-experiments (nonrandomized designs).

Qualitative Strategies

The variety of approaches in qualitative research has expanded significantly since the 1990s.
Ethnography focuses on studying cultural groups in natural settings using observational and interview data over extended periods.

Grounded Theory

Involves deriving an abstract theory based on participants' views through iterative data collection and category refinement.
Key aspects include constant comparison of data and theoretical sampling to explore similarities and differences in information.

Case Studies

Investigate programs, events, activities, or individuals in depth, bounded by time and context.
Utilizes diverse data collection methods over sustained periods to gather detailed information.

Phenomenological Research

Aims to reveal the essence of human experiences regarding specific phenomena through participant descriptions.
Balances philosophy and method, focusing on understanding lived experiences and their significance.

Phenomenology and Qualitative Research

Phenomenology embodies both philosophical and methodological approaches focusing on lived experiences.
Researchers engage deeply with a small number of subjects to uncover meaningful patterns and relationships.
Researchers must bracket their own experiences to genuinely understand participants’ perspectives.

Narrative Research

Narrative research involves collecting personal stories from individuals about their lives.
Researchers retell these stories chronologically, intertwining participants' experiences with their own insights.
This collaborative narrative approach enriches understanding of individual experiences.

Mixed Methods Strategies

Mixed methods are less common compared to purely qualitative or quantitative approaches, gaining traction since 1959.
The mixing of methods combines various data collection techniques like observations and interviews.

Sequential Mixed Methods

This approach expands findings from one method to another, such as starting with qualitative interviews followed by quantitative surveys for broader generalization.
Alternate sequences may also begin with quantitative methods to test theories, then delve into qualitative explorations.

Concurrent Mixed Methods

Concurrent methods merge both qualitative and quantitative data for a holistic analysis.
Data is collected simultaneously, allowing researchers to incorporate multiple types of inquiry, addressing both processes and outcomes.

Transformative Mixed Methods

This design employs a theoretical lens that integrates both quantitative and qualitative data.
The lens guides the research focus, data collection methods, and anticipated study outcomes.

Research Problem Selection Criteria

A research problem is a societal issue that necessitates exploration, such as racial discrimination.
Quantitative methods are suited for identifying influencing factors, testing theories, and assessing intervention effectiveness.
Qualitative methods are ideal for exploring new concepts or phenomena lacking prior research.
Mixed methods leverage the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative approaches for comprehensive understanding.

Researcher Personal Experiences

Researchers’ backgrounds influence their methodological choices; those trained in quantitative methods may prefer that approach due to familiarity with statistics and technical writing.
Qualitative researchers often possess strengths in narrative writing and observation, steering them toward interviews and exploratory studies.
Mixed methods researchers are versed in both methodologies and are equipped with resources for extensive data collection.

Audience Considerations

Researchers must consider their audience, which can include journal editors, readers, graduate committees, and conference attendees.
Audience familiarity with different research methods shapes methodological decisions and preferences.

Quantitative Methods: Surveys and Experiments

Surveys quantitatively describe trends and attitudes of populations based on sampled data, allowing generalizations.
Experiments aim to evaluate the impact of interventions while controlling confounding factors through random assignment and treatment comparisons.

Survey Design Essentials

Establish the survey’s purpose, aimed at generalizing from a sample to a broader population.
Identify advantages of surveys, such as cost-effectiveness and efficiency in data collection.
Decide between cross-sectional surveys, collecting data at a single point in time, versus longitudinal surveys, which gather data over an extended period.
Specify the data collection methods used in the survey design.

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Description

Explore the essential aspects of research design through this quiz. It covers critical decisions, assumptions, and methods of data collection and analysis necessary for effective research planning. Perfect for students and professionals looking to enhance their understanding of research methodologies.