RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Flashcards

Question

Explain how sampling contributes to reliable and valid research

Answer 1

Size = vary depending on factors eg topic, time, availability and access to people Careful + appropriate sampling = important in achieving reliable research outcomes Reliability in research = accurate rep of pop being studied is achieved = only occurs if appropriate rep sample was selected at beginning of research process

Answer 2

Ethics = system of moral principles/standards governing conduct In research EB = protects rights of participants + researcher Ethical issues often identified during planning stage

Answer 3

When a range of factors unfairly influences the outcomes of research results = distorts them Research always influenced by personal values; important to remain objective in methods, how implemented, how interpret + present results Occurs at any stage Must interpret results as they appear + not as would like them to be Interviewing the first 10 people you see

Answer 4

Honesty + treating participants in an honest way Truthful data without cheating/bias People have a right to know who you are, school, purpose + nature of research SO research must be honest about purpose, how will be used + who has access to findings Sources = must be acknowledged (in-text + complete bibliography) OF RESEARCHERS - telling participants who you are and providing a copy of results of DATA - never falsifying evidence findings

Answer 5

Treat people properly + with respect for their feelings, age, status, health + experiences Ensure no home comes to them not asking them invasive questions they have not consented to in order to embarrass them

Answer 6

Researcher = needs to protect confidences + identity of al involved People have right to anonymity, confidentiality, withdraw anything said that was intended to be used in project, feel no risk to their wellbeing, refuse to be involved Researcher must have consent of all participants to use their views having consent of people who partake to use their views through contract

Answer 7

``` Respect: Honours people’s wished Avoids offending people Reduces awkwardness or confrontation + makes people feel comfortable = more genuine responses sexuality or politics ```

Answer 8

PRivacy Results in more genuine responses = people know they aren’t identifiable Safety + reputation = intact as won’t be damaged/threatened by what they express

Answer 9

BIAS Affects validity + reliability of data If little/no bias = reliability + validity of data increased

Answer 10

Integrity Acknowledges 2ndary data used Shows data = legitimate + not falsified Details date of sources = if outdated, affects the validity and reliability of source

Answer 11

Written questionnaires are left with respondents to complete and are collected later Advantages Respondents able to complete at their leisure + easy to use Can send to more people (wide range of data) = inexpensive Weaknesses: May not able to get them back before due date

Answer 12

Set questions asked in same sequence to all respondents Advantages: Easy to compare answers fairly and reliably Open and closed questions (wide range of data) → qualitative and quantitative Weaknesses: Formal (respondents may not be truthful as they may feel intimidated) Time consuming to construct and conduct

Answer 13

Informal questions, like a conversation between interviewer and participant Advantages Respondents able to express themselves more openly through discussion Questions can be adapted to meet needs of respondents or suit the setting Weaknesses: Data harder to interpret and interviewer has to listen carefully to all answers to make changes as necessary

Answer 14

Description, summary and critical evaluation of each work (books, articles, websites) to show that an insightful study of what is already known about that topic has been made Advantages: Gives reader some background info about topic so research presented makes more sense Provides info about topic and any gaps that exist in the research Weaknesses: Time consuming High literacy skills needed and can be demanding reading others research and making sense of it Data not about current, actual behaviours

Answer 15

Watching and recording what is seen Advantages: Can reveal characteristics about groups/individuals not always possible with other methods Weaknesses: Might not act naturally if people know they are being watched Hard to prove exactly what happened (bias can occur) Gender may restrict access to certain info

Answer 16

Detailed investigation of one issue (person, event, community group) Advantages: Useful in finding out why and how (detailed examination) Study of real life situations Weaknesses: Require supporting research from other sources (limited info possible) often not possible (can be subjective, bias)

Answer 17

``` IRP = questionnaire selected - Q = appropriate = allowed for: Plethora of responses to be collected QUICKLY PERSONAL OPINIONS Qualitative data (open q’s) Quantitative data (closed q’s) in tally ```

Answer 18

Select research focus and select appropriate sampling method, size and group Develop IRP plan

Answer 19

Timeline of tasks to be completed | Keep data organised (Have IRP diary), Back up sources of data

Answer 20

Search secondary data for what’s already written about topic. Preliminary readings help formulate questions you want to ask Complete literature review

Answer 21

Use suitable research methods to collect and record primary data (E.g. interviews, questionnaires) Create draft questions and pilot them, and arrange for individuals or groups to be interviewed or surveyed etc Conduct the data collection, E.g. Carry out interviews and record ,

Answer 22

Write in diary problems encountered and steps taken to solve them Write personal opinions and comments and decisions you have made

Answer 23

Presented quantitatively or qualitatively (Quantitative- Graphs, or tables with statistics etc) (Qualitative- Present as a written report, include main ideas, quotes etc)

Answer 24

Need to describe what evidence can be seen in tables and in written reports. Identify trends Interpret findings by making comparisons, describing patterns and relationships that relate to research question or hypothesis Identify possible reasons for the patterns and relationships you have found

Answer 25

Must draw conclusions in relation to initial research question or hypothesis Need to write a summary that states what the data shows and how it relates to the research in general as well as future recommendations or possible implications of findings. Credit sources of data by means of bibliography or appendix

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Flashcards

(49 cards)