Field Methods: Introduction to Behavioral & Social Science Research PDF

Field Methods: Introduction to Behavioral Qualitative (e.g. Ethnographies) & Social Science Research Mixed Methods (Explanatory Sequential) CHAPTER 1: The Selection of a Research...

Field Methods: Introduction to Behavioral Qualitative (e.g. Ethnographies) & Social Science Research Mixed Methods (Explanatory Sequential) CHAPTER 1: The Selection of a Research 3. Research Methods (5) Approach Questions Data Collection Data Analysis Research Approaches Interpretation ★ Plans and procedures for research Validation ★ Steps from broad assumptions to detailed methods of data collection, analysis, and Research Designs interpretation ★ Types of inquiry within qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches 3 Key Terms that provide specific direction for procedures 1. Research Approaches in a research design 2. Research Designs ★ Also called strategies of inquiry 3. Research Methods ★ These 3 represent the perspective about Quantitative (2) research that presents information in a ❖ Experimental designs successive way from broad constructions of ❖ Nonexperimental designs - survey research to narrow procedures of methods Qualitative (5) 3 Research Approaches ❖ Narrative Research 1. Qualitative Research - exploring and ❖ Phenomenology understanding the meaning individuals or ❖ Grounded Theory groups ascribe to a social or human problem ❖ Ethnographies 2. Quantitative Research - for testing ❖ Case Study objective theories by examining the relationship among variables Mixed Methods (4) 3. Mixed Methods Research - inquiry ❖ Convergent involving both quantitative and qualitative ❖ Explanatory Sequential data, integrating the two forms of data, and ❖ Exploratory Sequential using distinct designs that may involve ❖ Transformative, embedded, or philosophical assumptions and theoretical multiphase framework 3 Alternative Research Designs 3 Components Involved in an Approach 1. Philosophical Worldviews (4) Quantitative (2) Postpositivist 1. Experimental designs - seeks to Constructivist determine if a specific treatment influences Transformative the outcome Pragmatic 2. Nonexperimental designs - surveys 2. Research Designs (3) Provides a quantitative or numeric Quantitative (e.g. Experiments) description of trends, attitudes, or  opinions of a population by studying a sample of that population 5. Case Study Includes cross-sectional and Design of inquiry found in many fields longitudinal studies using questionnaires especially evaluation or structured interviews for data The researcher develops an in-depth collection - with the intent of generalizing analysis of a case, often a program, from a sample to a population activity, process, or one or more individuals An outside observer records the Qualitative (5) behavior/experiences of a single 1. Narrative Research individual Design of inquiry from humanities The researcher studies the lives of Mixed Methods (4) individuals and asks one or more 1. Convergent individuals to provide stories about their The researcher converges/merges lives quantitative and qualitative data in 2. Phenomenology order to provide a comprehensive Design of inquiry from philosophy analysis of the research problem and psychology Example: you could use a survey to The researcher describes the lived measure customer satisfaction and then experiences of individuals about a conduct interviews to understand the phenomenon as described by reasons behind their ratings participants The description of an individual’s immediate experience, instead of looking at behavior external to us, begin with personal experience as a source of data 3. Grounded Theory Design of inquiry from sociology The researcher derives a general, abstract theory of a process, action, or Collect quantitative and qualitative data interaction grounded in the views of at the same time and analyze them participants separately 4. Ethnographies 2. Explanatory Sequential Design of inquiry from anthropology The researcher conducts quantitative and sociology research, analyzes the results and then The researcher studies the shared builds on the results to explain them in patterns of behaviors, language, and more detail with qualitative research actions of an intact cultural group in a Example: you surveyed employees at a natural setting over a prolonged period company about their satisfaction with of time their job and then conducted interviews Staying with the subjects of interest to gain more information about why they responded the way they did.  In an explanatory sequential design, ❖ Embedded - involves either your quantitative data collection and convergent or sequential use of data analysis occurs first, followed by The core idea is that either quanti or qualitative data collection and analysis. quali data is embedded within a You should use this design if you think larger design (experiment) and the your qualitative data will explain and data source play a supporting role in contextualize your quantitative findings. the overall design You collect and analyze both types of data at the same time, but within a larger quantitative or qualitative design. One type of data is secondary to the other. 3. Exploratory Sequential Example: As part of a quantitative The reverse sequence from the study testing whether the number of explanatory sequential design cyclist complaints about an area The researcher first begins with a correlates with the number of qualitative research phase and explores accidents, you could “embed” a the views of participants series of qualitative interviews with Example: You first interview cyclists to cyclists who submitted complaints develop an initial understanding of to further strengthen your problem areas, and draw preliminary argument. The bulk of your research conclusions. Then you analyze accident remains quantitative. statistics to test whether cyclist ❖ Multiphase - common in the fields of perceptions line up with where accidents evaluation and program of occur. interventions. Concurrent or sequential You can use this design to first explore strategies are used in tandem initial questions and develop over time to best understand a hypotheses. Then you can use the long-term program goal quantitative data to test or confirm your qualitative findings. Transformative Research 4. Transformative, embedded, or contributes to solving societal problems multiphase characterized by an explicit aspiration to ❖ Transformative - uses a theoretical get involved lens drawn from social justice or power the aim is to catalyze processes of as an overarching perspective within a change and to actively involve design that contains both quanti and stakeholders in the research quali data process The data could be converged or could be ordered sequentially with one building on the other  What is Research Design? ❖ Allows researchers to establish ❖ Overall plan or strategy that a researcher uses to cause-and-effect relationships between conduct a study variables ❖ Involves making decisions about what data to ❖ Example: Perform a study to look at whether collect, how to collect it, and how to analyze it sleep deprivation impairs performance on a ❖ Good research design - essential for driving test. The experimenter could control producing valid and reliable results other variables that might influence the ❖ Key Components: (4) outcome, varying the amount of sleep a. Research Question participants get the night before. b. Sampling Strategy c. Data Collection Methods Quasi-Experimental Research Design d. Data Analysis Techniques ❖ Similar to experimental design but lacks - These key components are interconnected random assignment to groups - which and must be carefully planned and executed makes it difficult to establish causality in order to produce meaningful results ❖ Can still provide valuable insights into relationships between variables ❖ Example: Studying a specific classroom of Why is Research Design Important? students to determine certain learning ❖ Helps ensure that the study is well-planned, outcomes. Participants are predetermined well-executed, and ultimately produces because they were students in that specific valid and reliable results classroom prior to the study. ❖ Well-designed study can help researchers answer important questions, test hypothesis, Non-Experimental Research Design and make informed decisions based on data ❖ Observing and describing phenomena without manipulating any variables ❖ Use in qualitative research ❖ Can provide rich detailed information about a topic ❖ Does not allow researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships ❖ Example: A researcher might start an anti bullying program (a kind of treatment) at one school and compare the incidence of bullying at that school with the incidence at a similar school that has no anti bullying program. The final way in which research can be nonexperimental is that it can be qualitative. 3 Types of Research Design Experimental Research Design ❖ Manipulating I.V. to observe its effect on D.V. Exploratory Nature uncovering new insights and generating theories that may not emerge from more structured research Qualitative research design is inherently approaches. exploratory, aiming to uncover and understand complex phenomena from multiple perspectives. Contextual Understanding This exploratory nature stems from several key The contextual understanding in qualitative characteristics. Firstly, qualitative research employs research is pivotal because it frames how flexible methodologies such as in-depth interviews, researchers interpret data and develop insights. focus groups, and observations, allowing Context here refers to the specific environment, researchers to adapt their approach as new insights circumstances, and cultural backgrounds in which emerge. This flexibility enables the exploration of the research takes place. This includes the social, phenomena in a natural setting, capturing the historical, and environmental factors that influence richness of human experiences and interactions. participants' experiences and the phenomena being studied. Unlike quantitative research, which tests specific hypotheses and uses structured instruments, Researchers in qualitative studies often immerse qualitative research does not start with rigid themselves in the context to gather a nuanced assumptions. Instead, it seeks to discover understanding. This may involve spending underlying meanings and patterns by engaging extended periods of time within the field, directly with participants. Researchers ask conducting in-depth interviews, and engaging in open-ended questions that allow for a wide range of participant observation. For instance, a study responses, facilitating a deeper understanding of exploring the educational experiences of migrant the subject matter. This approach often leads to the children might involve visiting schools, interacting identification of themes and concepts that were not with students, teachers, and parents, and initially anticipated. understanding the community’s socio-economic conditions. Moreover, the iterative process of qualitative research further enhances its exploratory nature. In essence, the contextual understanding of Researchers continuously refine their questions and qualitative research design underscores the methods based on ongoing data collection and importance of situating research within the specific analysis. This iterative cycle helps in developing a environment and cultural backdrop of the more nuanced understanding of the research topic, participants. By embracing the complexities of as each phase of data collection can inform and context, qualitative research offers a profound reshape subsequent phases. insight into human experiences and social phenomena. This approach not only enriches the Additionally, qualitative research emphasizes the data collected but also ensures that interpretations importance of context. It examines how situational and conclusions are deeply grounded in the lived factors influence experiences and behaviors, realities of those studied. providing a richer and more detailed view of the phenomena under study. By considering the context, qualitative researchers gain insights into how and why certain patterns occur, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues. In summary, the exploratory nature of qualitative research design lies in its flexibility, openness, and focus on context. It allows researchers to delve deeply into human experiences and interactions,