Research Methodologies?? (1 Viewer)

[becky_baby]

Does anyone have good notes for the Research Methodologies topic that they could email me or something??? there arent any on this website...

 

[cro_angel]

Methodologies
• Qualitative- Not involving numbers, Includes interviews, questionnaires, observations, case studies. Subjective and open to bias.
• Quantitative- Involves numbers, includes measuring, collecting and drawing. Objective and reliable. Less Bias.
Conducting Research
• Formulate a research proposal- can be easy to research if interesting. From resources- develop hypothesis and objectives (what needs to be done, how to do it).
Surveys
• Interview- Personal contact with respondent (talking etc). One on one or focus group. Can be structured (formal- prewritten questions) or unstructured (informal- flexible).
• Questionnaire- A list of questions used to conduct a survey. Can be oral (on a tally sheet) or written (answered on a questionnaire sheet). May have closed (limited responses) or open (able to express opinions) questions. Need to ensure questions are short, free from bias, private, relevant
• Need to ensure questions are short, free from bias, private, relevant, simple, no assumed knowledge.
Case Study
• Long/detailed primary research method. Allows a detailed examination and deep understanding of a specific social issue- how/why. Need to back it up (ABS).
Observation
• Watching and recording what is seen, group dynamics revealed. Must concentrate intently and record data at the time of observation. Researchers tend to be subjective and biased. May influence group dynamics by being present.
Literature Review
• Involves investigating all related research articles or books that have been published in your chosen area. From this you can develop a question, learn from work of others, gather information and decide on research methods.

• Planning- Identifies research methods. Being well prepared makes research much smoother, allows as much data as possible to be collected. Project Timeline.
• Collecting and Recording data- Collecting primary data, then secondary to support findings. Information found needs to be recorded and referenced.
• Analysing and Interpreting data- Making sense of raw data gives meaning to researchers findings. Involves clarifying data, highlighting important points and trends, common elements, unexpected outcomes, relationships. Quantitative data is presented in a graphic way, while qualitative data is presented as prose.
Presenting Data
Data needs to be presented clearly, using a combination of text, charts, tables, graphs, diagrams, illustrations.
• Graphs/Tables- relevant diagrams with explanatory text are useful in relating research finsings. Graphs show trends, tables show interrelationships or make comparisons
• Report writing- following components- title, contents, abstract, acknowledgements, body, bibliography and appendices. For presentation, third person, 1.5 spacing, correct referencing, no plagiarism.
• Bibliography- All sources must be included. Harvard is acceptable. Includes name of persons, date of production, title, place and publisher.
• Appendices- material that is relevant to research reports which aren’t appropriate to put in the main body. For example, interview questions, maps, long tables.
Sources of Data
• People/Individuals
• Organisations/Groups
• Electronic Sources
• Libraries
• Print Sources
Research Issues
• Bias- Influencing research by personal values- important to stay objective. Must be careful to be open to all the possible outcomes of their research with no predetermined views.
• Hypothesis/question- research problem- what they want to find out/test. Research is to prove or disprove the hypothesis.
• Reliability- A method which, if used by others, the same result would be achieved, which reflects an accurate representation of the population.
• Validity- How well the research measures what its supposed to measure. Dependant on factual data/truths. To achieve validity, must have background knowledge to make informed assumptions, rather than judgments and biased views.
Ethics in research
• Privacy- Researchers should guard the confidences and identity of individuals (have their consent/permission)
• Integrity- Researchers must be honest- report truthfully and objectively with no bias. Should make it clear how information should be used and who will have access to findings. No cheating- ensure research is own work. Don’t exploit people, advertise findings.
• HSC regulations- Independent, must be own work. Teacher monitors progress- verify that research is done in an ethical and responsible manner.

 

[aditya]

sources of data = people =)

e = each source has its downfalls (Y)

 

[becky_baby]

Thank You!!!