2. research methodologies
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This document discusses research methods and provides an overview of key concepts. It defines research as a systematic investigation aimed at producing knowledge. There are two main types of research methodologies: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research explores experiences and behaviors through methods like interviews and observations, while quantitative research generates statistics using methods such as surveys and experiments. The document recommends that researchers can combine both qualitative and quantitative methods in a mixed methods approach to take advantage of their respective strengths.
2. research methodologies
- 1. D R C H R I S T I N E C O O M B E H C T D U B A I , M E N ’ S C A M P U S Research Methods
- 2. What is research? A systematic investigation or inquiry that is concerned with Producing knowledge Improving conditions Eliminating difficulties Seeking answers (Cohen & Manion, 1994) Basic objective is to know something that was not known before
- 3. Three key words Knowledge In any field knowledge is referred to as what we already know and accept Supported by evidence Systematic Use of organized processes Enquiry The process of knowledge getting or making
- 4. Who can do research? Research can be carried out by a number of individuals: School-age children (e.g. projects) Undergraduate students (e.g., projects) Graduate students (e.g. MA thesis, doctoral dissertations) Teachers (e.g., reflective action research) University professors (e.g. writing papers and books for publication) Research specialists (e.g., doing funded research projects)
- 5. Types of research Secondary Based on sources that are one step removed from the original information Most researchers are most familiar with this kind Primary Research from the primary or original source
- 6. Choosing a research methodology Researchers must know the difference between Quantitative Qualitative Mixed methods
- 7. Qualitative research methodology Explores attitudes, behavior and experiences Mostly collects ‘word’ data Common data collection methods include: Interviews Focus groups Interview transcripts Field notes Videotapes Observations Personal documents Official documents The goal is to get in-depth (deep) opinions from participants Researchers using qualitative research need fewer participants spend more time with their participants
- 8. More on qualitative research Qualitative research is descriptive. Qualitative research is concerned with process more than with outcomes or products. Asks broad questions and collects word data from participants Researcher looks for themes Data analysis No hypotheses are generated/proven or disproven Theory develops from the collected data This bottom up approach is called grounded theory
- 9. Quantitative research methodology “Systematic investigation into a social phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques” (Given, 2008) This type of research generates statistics Usually starts with the generation of a hypothesis (tentative answer to a question generally based upon prior research) Common methods include: Questionnaires/surveys Structured interviews Experiments Quantitative research reaches more people contact with subjects is a lot quicker than with qualitative research
- 10. More on quantitative research Research asks a specific question and collects numerical data from people to answer that question Researcher then uses statistics to answer the question Data is in numerical form This type of research is widely used in social sciences (psychology, economics, sociology, marketing, IT, etc)
- 11. Choosing a methodology In the past, researchers had a preference for quantitative research as they felt it was more rigorous However, nowadays both methodologies are recognized as equal They are different They each have their strengths and weaknesses
- 12. Examples of qualitative research methodologies Action research Common in educational settings Ts recognize a problem in their classrooms and then set out to solve it with research Ethnography Has its roots in anthropology Emphasis is on describing and interpreting cultural behavior Rs often live with the people under study for long periods of time Rs participate in group activities and observe behavior, take notes, conduct interviews, reflect and write reports
- 13. Summary Research methodology: The philosophy or general principle which guides the research Research methods: Tools you use to gather your data Qualitative research: Explores attitudes, behavior and experiences Examples include action research and ethnography Quantitative research: Generates statistics Based on numerical data Neither is better, they are both different
- 14. The recommended ideal for researchers Researchers can combine both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies When this occurs it is called: Mixed methods research Triangulation