Introduction to Research Methods PDF

Introduction to Research Methods  Why do research? A quest for knowledge and understanding Inform decision making- i.assess existing programmes; ii.policy iii.effect change A career  Possible definitions of research A way of thinking: a habit of questionin...

Introduction to Research Methods  Why do research? A quest for knowledge and understanding Inform decision making- i.assess existing programmes; ii.policy iii.effect change A career  Possible definitions of research A way of thinking: a habit of questioning what you do; a systematic examination to find answers search for knowledge via systematic investigation investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws  Research Process Positivistic approach Science Components of science Objective Theoretical Empirical Cumulative  Dimensions of Research A. Style of Research Exploratory- studies that have not being studied as yet Descriptive- narrative Explanatory- cause and effect B. Purpose or Focus Basic- understanding a problem Applied- used to solve problems  Research Dimension C. Time Dimension Longitudinal Studies- done over a period usually one year. Cross-Sectional- Studies done at a point in time. Triangulation- two or more methods [quantitative and qualitative are combined].  Research Design Influenced by: Current knowledge Cost Ethics Skills  The scientific method In its broadest sense science is any systematic knowledge that can result in a correct prediction or reliable outcome. A scientific method seeks to explain the events of nature in a reproducible way, and to use these findings to make useful predictions. Scientific thinking is one of the ways to find answers (besides practical thinking, professional thinking, religious thinking, ideological thinking).  Research Process Scientific Method 1) Define the problem 2) Literature review 3) Develop hypothesis/es 4) Choose research design 5) Determine sample and method 6) Conduct the study 7) Analyze and present findings The Research Wheel  Research Process Concepts Theory- set of interrelated ideas Deductive: starts general & works towards specific -Theory - hypothesis - observations - confirmation Inductive: starts with specific observation and works toward generalizations and theories - Observation- pattern- hypothesis- theory Grounded theory- is derived from inductive research  Research Process Concepts Hypothesis-tentative statement Variables: i) Independent (IV)- variable that is presumed to cause ii) Dependent (DV)-variable to show the effect iii) Intervening- helps to explain the relationship between (IV) & (DV)  Research Process Concepts Operationalization- an abstract concept converted into a measurable concept Validity- true representation of what the researcher set out to study Reliability- repeatability of measurement Primary data- first hand information Secondary data- data already collected  Research Process Concepts Population-total population to be studied Sampling- choosing a representative segment of the total population Probability sampling- everyone has a chance of being randomly selected from the population Non-probability or purposive sampling- does not involve random selection from the population  Research Process Probability Sampling i) simple random ii) stratified random sampling iii) systematic random sampling iv) cluster (area) random sample v) multi-stage random sampling-combine the above methods  Research Process Non-Probability Sampling Quota sampling- specific population with certain characteristics- e.g., a study of discrimination in sport- age, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation; athletes with disabilities; religion; males and females etc.  Research Process Convenience sampling-anyone is chosen Snowballing- one interviewee links you to another- eg. Study of deported criminals Self-selection- the researcher is also part of the study  Schools of Thought Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Meaningfully expressed by Meanings, concepts, and numbers definitions Provides counts and measures Quality assessed through words, images, and description Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010  The Quantitative-Qualitative “Divide” in Research Is it an artificial divide Deductive vs inductive Hard vs soft science Value-free vs value-laden Objective vs subjective The research process more accurately can be described as a cyclical search for social truth  Data Collection Technique Quantitative Experiments Surveys Quantitative content analysis Existing statistics Qualitative Interviews Focus groups Field research Historical research Qualitative content analysis  Research Process Quantitative & Qualitative Quantitative research- The aim is to classify features, count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed. Objective – seeks precise measurement & analysis of target concepts, e.g., uses surveys, questionnaires etc. Quantitative data is more efficient, able to test hypotheses, but may miss contextual detail.  Research Process Quantitative Instruments Questionnaires- face to face; mail; web Interviews- structured; semi-structured, open-ended, telephone Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages  Research Process Survey Are used for understanding: Behaviour Attitudes/opinions Expectations Characteristics Research Process Quantitative Instruments Advantages/disadvantages Advantages: Covers a large population Allows for generalization Allows for repeatability Disadvantages The wording of questions may be vague Not everyone if literate Respondents are limited to the researchers' responses Research Process Secondary Data Official Statistics-CSO [TT], STATIN [JAM] Studies done by other researchers/institutions  Research Process Qualitative Method Observation: i) Participant ii) non-participant Overt and covert observation Interviews: i) semi-structured ii) open-ended Case studies- focus on a person or small group Research Process Advantages and disadvantages of Qualitative research Advantages: i) high in validity ii) rich in contextualization iii) firsthand information Disadvantages: i) time consuming ii) high in subjectivity iii) ‘going native’  Research Process Ethical issues in research Harm to researcher and participants Misleading the participants Use of the findings for one’s benefit The influence of sponsors of research projects