Research Methodology - Research Fundamentals
The purpose of research, eg advance knowledge, increase understanding, educate others, inform practice
Advance Knowledge
Knowledge is one of the most important things in life, as humans, as it is what allows for mankind to move forward, evolve, innovate, survive and so on.
Increase Understanding
Much like to advance knowledge, to increase one’s understanding of something in the world around them allows for ease of living as there will be no struggle between doing something, and understanding why or how it is done.
Educate Others
While it is all good that one person has knowledge of some areas, to ensure that all of the human race benefits and is able to move forward in life all of the members of the race must have this same knowledge, and so educating others is rather important and therefore a viable purpose of research.
Inform Practice
Individual’s practices are occasionally uninformed and this can cause uncertainty and worry in all involved in the practice. With further research and understanding of the individual’s practices they are themselves more sure of themselves and are then able to ensure others of their practice’s legitimacy or purpose.
Knowledge is one of the most important things in life, as humans, as it is what allows for mankind to move forward, evolve, innovate, survive and so on.
Increase Understanding
Much like to advance knowledge, to increase one’s understanding of something in the world around them allows for ease of living as there will be no struggle between doing something, and understanding why or how it is done.
Educate Others
While it is all good that one person has knowledge of some areas, to ensure that all of the human race benefits and is able to move forward in life all of the members of the race must have this same knowledge, and so educating others is rather important and therefore a viable purpose of research.
Inform Practice
Individual’s practices are occasionally uninformed and this can cause uncertainty and worry in all involved in the practice. With further research and understanding of the individual’s practices they are themselves more sure of themselves and are then able to ensure others of their practice’s legitimacy or purpose.
The focus of research, eg question/hypothesis
Question
A statement that requires and is seeking an answer to something. |
Difference
One seeks an answer to it and the other seeks the research to which the statement is the answer, or it’s contrary. |
Hypothesis
A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. |
Sampling
Methods
Random Sampling
Systematic Random Sampling Stratified Random Sampling Cluster Sampling Convenience Sampling |
Selecting people so everyone has an equal chance of being selected.
Choosing one number at random and then every nth unit after this random start. A process in which a population is divided into strata groups and the researcher can ensure that there is a more balanced reputation in each of the strata groups and that the groups can be compared with each other in similar proportions to the whole population. Dividing a population into clusters and random selection is made within these clusters. When a researcher selects people because they are easily located. These results have the lowest credibility. |
Sample group
A group of individuals used to represent the general population as a whole as an estimate.
Sample size
Sample size is the number of observations used for calculating estimates of a given population.
Types of data
Primary and secondary
Primary Secondary |
Define
Data collected by the researcher first hand for the use in their own research e.g. an observation or surveys and their results and reports. Data collected by another that can be reapplied to a new person’s work. |
Advantages
The researcher knows the data is valid and knows where it came from, the characteristics of any individuals involved etc. It is les time consuming to use someone else’s’ valid data than to go out and collect your own, and you can ensure validity or bring up interesting research points by cross referencing. |
Difference
Primary is collected directly by the researcher and secondary is collected by another researcher and used by another individual.
Primary is collected directly by the researcher and secondary is collected by another researcher and used by another individual.
Qualitative and quantitative
Qualitative Quantitative |
Define
Research that demonstrates quality, length does not determine this quality but rather the content of the research does. Relating to, measuring, or measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality |
Advantages
Subjective data can provide words and images to help us understand more about the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of a situation. Objective data can provide a good outline of ‘what’ is happening in a situation. It is more objective and reliable and subject to less bias. |
Difference
Qualitative bases the work on its quality as a research document, rather quantitative bases the work on how much of it is available
Qualitative bases the work on its quality as a research document, rather quantitative bases the work on how much of it is available
Sources of data
Individuals and groups
Individuals Teacher, family, friends, neighbours, and experts Groups Mission Australia, government agencies, specialist groups, and health authorities |
Advantages
Individuals have an advantage as a source of data as they are able to give up to date information and are able to provide perspectives and insights based on their position in society, such as a doctor can give insight into data of a medical nature and provide extra insight as to the meaning of it and if anything new has been found in the meantime. With a group of individuals, there is therefore a larger bank of information that can be used as a source of data and, should the group be made of a mixed number of people such as specialists from various areas, it is not only a large bank, but also an immense wealth of data and knowledge to be used. |
Disadvantages
Individuals, contrary to the above, are disadvantaged as a source of data as, if solely seeking from the individual, the data is unmeasurable and so it may be invalid or false. Additionally, individuals are limited and not all data can be conveyed accurately. Although groups are useful in collecting data, in some circles, the individuals that make up a group can often conflict with each other and their findings and opinions can easily contradict one another. |
Print and digital
Digital Internet, computer programs, television, radio Books, journals, magazines, newspapers |
Advantage
As the internet is such a vast source, in conjunction with other digital mediums, these sources of data are infinitely valuable and can provide the most recent of information at the touch of a button. Printed information is more reliable than that on the Internet or on TV, and so it is just as valuable a source, and there is plenty of it out there should one know where to find it. |
Disadvantages
Though the internet, TV, radio and such are such a vast source of data and information, it is not always accurate or even true at all and so the reliability and validity of these sources is often compromised. As print is printed, there is limitation as to its availability, such as if some books are not published or stocked in a certain country and so it would have to be bought overseas. |
Reliability and validity
Reliability
Refers to the consistency of measurement.
Validity
Refers to measurement that accurately reflects what it was intended to measure.
Refers to the consistency of measurement.
Validity
Refers to measurement that accurately reflects what it was intended to measure.
Ethical behaviour
Respect
- Plan questions that are carefully worded to ensure they do not cause neither distress nor offend anyone personally, politically, religiously, and so on.
- Ensure all participation is voluntary and consent is informed, also ensuring that all possible risks are known and are taken with the individuals’ knowledge
- Ensure all participation is voluntary and consent is informed, also ensuring that all possible risks are known and are taken with the individuals’ knowledge
Integrity
- Ensure all information within the final results and findings can be supported by research and are therefore not suspected to be falsified information on the researcher’s behalf.
- Data is presented free of bias or opinion that may compromise the results or make them appear false.
- Data is presented free of bias or opinion that may compromise the results or make them appear false.
Privacy
- Ask for permission before conducting any research involving any individual or their property.
- Ensure all data and opinions are not revealed to others during the research process.
- Ensure all data and opinions are not revealed to others during the research process.
Bias
- Choose a sampling method that reflects the age, gender and culture of the population with as much accuracy as possible.
- Record data that supports both the hypothesis and its contrary or otherwise, should it be found
- Record data that supports both the hypothesis and its contrary or otherwise, should it be found