Lecture 1 - Foundations of Research

Question 1

Social science research

Answer 1

The systematic and empirical (evidence-based) method of gathering knowledge in a transparent and reproducible way

Question 2

Knowledge gap

Answer 2

Distinguishes what has been done from what needs to be done

Question 3

Synthesis

Answer 3

• Combining elements of several sources to help you make a point
• Describing how sources ‘’converse’’ with each other
• Organising similar ideas together to show how they overlap (patterns) and contrast them with opposing ideas
• Helps readers see the gaps in existing knowledge
• Synthesis can occur by themes / concepts (recommended), chronologically, or by methodology

Question 4

Research questions pitfalls

Answer 4

1. Too general/broad
2. Too precise early on
3. Unexamined assumptions/loaded questions

Question 5

Deduction vs. Induction

Answer 5

Inductive reasoning takes you from the specific to the general, whilst in deductive reasoning, you make inferences by going from general premises to specific conclusions.

Question 6

Qualitative Research

Answer 6

• Examine a phenomenon
  (through cases).
  Formulating
  hypotheses/theories
• Flexible & iterative and nuanced & rich in detail
• Generally inductive
• Expressed in words
• Small sample

Question 7

Quantitative Research

Answer 7

• Study relationships – trends and
  patterns between variables.
  Testing hypotheses/theories
• Rigid & developed prior to the study
• Deductive
• Expressed in numbers
• Large sample