AdvancedStat.Week-1.docx

**[Introduction to Research]** **[Overview and Importance of Nonparametric Statistics]** Research is everywhere. It is not only used in education but in business, sports, psychology, and other sciences. Nowadays, we are very particular on facts, evidence, and derived conclusions from research. Pro...

**[Introduction to Research]** **[Overview and Importance of Nonparametric Statistics]** Research is everywhere. It is not only used in education but in business, sports, psychology, and other sciences. Nowadays, we are very particular on facts, evidence, and derived conclusions from research. Product presentations should be based on research. Be it a product on education, arts, and the like. This module will lead you to answer questions like why we conduct research. In this module, the learners are expected to: 1. discuss the basic principles of research and planning for research 2. explain the various types of research design 3. explain the importance of using nonparametric tests **PLANNING FOR RESEARCH** Basic rule in a task is that "Don't ever start the work without a plan". When you build a house there must always be a plan. An absence of a plan consulted to an architect and an engineer will not hinder you to build a house. However, you can build a better one if these are present. Same with research. You can do research on your own, but it would be better if you will consult the authorities. So, what are things to be considered when you plan for research? In your previous research subjects, it was discussed that research is a scientific method that provides an important way to obtain accurate and reliable information. What are needed before you conduct research? The answer to this question can be found in the discussion below. **PRINCIPLES OF GOOD RESEARCH** All research is different, but the following factors are common to all good pieces of research involving social care service users, their families and careers and staff working in this area. There are clear statements of research aims, which defines the research question. There is an information sheet for participants, which sets out clearly what the research is about, what it will involve, and consent is obtained in writing on a consent form prior to research beginning. The methodology is appropriate to the research question. So, if the research is into people's perceptions, a more qualitative, unstructured interview may be appropriate. If the research aims to identify the scale of a problem or need, a more quantitative, randomized, statistical sample survey may be more appropriate. Good research can often use a combination of methodologies, which complement one another. The research should be carried out in an unbiased fashion. As far as possible the researcher should not influence the results of the research in any way. If this is likely, it needs to be addressed explicitly and systematically. From the beginning, the research should have appropriate and sufficient resources in terms of people, time, transport, money etc. allocated to it. The people conducting the research should be trained in research and research methods and this training should provide: 1. Knowledge around appropriate information gathering techniques, 2. An understanding of research issues, 3. An understanding of the research area, 4. An understanding of the issues around dealing with vulnerable social care clients and housing clients, especially regarding risk, privacy and sensitivity and the possible need for support. Those involved in designing, conducting, analysing and supervising the research should have a full understanding of the subject area. In some instances, it helps if the researcher has experience of working in the area. However, this can also be a negative factor, as sometimes research benefits from the fresh eyes and ears of an outsider, which may lead to less bias. If applicable, the information generated from the research will inform the policy-making process. All research should be ethical and not harmful in any way to the participants. **TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN** There are of three main types research designs: a) the qualitative, b) the quantitative research design, and the c) mixed research methods **QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN** is a flexible design. Qualitative research is an inquiry process of understanding based on distinct methodological traditions of inquiry that explore a social or human problem. The researcher builds a complex, holistic picture, analyzes words, reports, detailed views of informants, and conducts the study in a natural setting(Cresswell, 1994). **Types of Qualitative Research Designs** 1. Descriptive Research 2. Research Review 3. Ethnographic Research 4. Critical Social Research 5. Ethical Inquiry 6. Grounded Theory 7. Phenomenology 8. Historical Research **Descriptive Research** Descriptive research or statistical research considers the features of a population sample under study. Though this kind of research is conducted on a systematic pattern by following logic and exactness, yet it normally does not explain the causative factors of a condition. Typically, descriptive research studies include all those subject matters which can be samples, categorized and then studied but it fails to consider the origins and impacts of a condition. **Types of Descriptive Research** - Case Study - Naturalistic Observation - Survey - Questionnaire **Research Review** - Literature Review - Meta-analysis - Systematic Reviews **Ethnography** Ethnography is derived from the Greek language (*Ethno*: people & *grapho*: to write) and includes those kinds of qualitative research whose aim is to scrutinize, understand and evaluate human lifestyle, societal formations and communal living. The discipline typically includes the following areas: People ethnic groups ethnic formations -------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ethno genesis Composition resettlement social welfare characteristics material culture spiritual culture **Critical Social Research** Critical social research assumes that social existence is a universal phenomenon and elements of social, cultural and political dimensions exert a directional influence on bring the societal changes in terms of it's pattern, formation and evolution. **Ethical Inquiry** According to Darwall, the development of ethical theory began when Aristotle (384 B.C. to 322 B. C.) developed Virtue Theory. The core purpose of Ethical inquiry is to find out the starting points which bring out positive morality, ethics, moral conduct and nobility in man. It also inquires into the present day ethical issues and threats to morality. **Grounded Theory** Grounded theory is a research method cancels out the standard procedures of research as its first step includes data collection and then extraction of main pointers for segmentation and analysis of a hypothesis and formation and testing of a theory. **Phenomenology (Philosophical Research)** The philosophical discipline was found by Edmund Husserl with the objective to discern the conscious experiences in terms of its actual existence and form without clouding it in terms of interpretations of causes and effects. **Historical Research** Historical research seeks to supply answers for current issues by doing a analytical deduction of the past events or by looking into the patterns of progression of history. **QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN** is a fixed research design. Quantitative research is a formal, objective, systematic process in which numerical data are used to obtain information about the world.( Burns & Grove). Quantitative research is more frequently applied in social sciences such as psychology, economics, sociology, and political science, as compared to in anthropology and history. This research method is used to: - describe variables - examine relationships among variables - determine cause-and-effect interactions between variables **Types of Quantitative (Fixed) Research Designs** **1.Experimental Designs** - **True Experimental Design** - **Double-Blind Experiment** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Simple Experimental | **Complex Experimental | | Techniques** | Techniques** | | | | | · Pretest-Posttest Design | · Factorial Design | | | | | · Control Group | · Solomon Four-Group Design | | | | | · Randomization | · Repeated Measures Design | | | | | · Randomized Controlled Trials | · Counterbalanced Measures Design | | | | | · Between Subjects Design | · Matched Subjects Design | | | | | · Within Subject Design | · Bayesian Probability | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ **2.Semi-Experimental Designs** - Field Experiment - Quasi-Experimental Design - Twin Studies **3.Quasi Experiment** **Mixed Research Design** Mixed research design refers to a research design which encompasses the methods of both qualitative and quantitative research methods or models. Types of Mixed Research Designs 1. Mixed Method Research 2. Mixed Model Research Quantitative research, qualitative research and mixed designs; all of these designs shall be involved in our course. Hence, nonparametric statistics tests can be used in all of these designs. Fraenkel, J.R. and Wallen, N. E. (2006). *How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education Sixth Edition*. New York: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from https://www.richmond.gov.uk/media/5417/research\_proposal\_guide.p... Retrieved from Retrieved from [\ ](https://www.bing.com/search?q=planning+for+research&cvid=f3f96aba93ab4dd9abbf396a38e88077&pglt=299&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=HCTS)Retrieved from https://www.mbaknol.com/research-methodology/the-basic-types-of-research Retrieved from \... 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