Research Methods

Question 1

How do we want to do research in community psych

Answer 1

• We want to find real life solutions to real life conflicts
• We want a complex understanding of people, the contexts in which they live, and the relationships that define them
• We want to see problems in their totality and not manipulate them like we do in experimental research

Question 2

What are the ecological levels of intervention

Answer 2

• Program
• Agency
• Community
• Institution
• Society
• How do they all work together to create problems

Question 3

What is the goal of community psych research

Answer 3

• First order and second order change

Question 4

Positivism

Answer 4

• Dominant philosophy of science
• Pursuit of objectivity and value free neutrality in research
• Understand cause and effect relationships
• Identify generalized laws of human behaviour (like the bystander effect)
• Experimental, quasi experimental methods
• Where a lot of psych research comes from

Question 5

Post-Positivism research methods

Answer 5

• Constructivist which created qualitative research
• Critical which created participatory research
• Participatory action research

Question 6

Constructivist

Answer 6

• Knowing occurs in relationship, product of social interaction
• Emphasis on knowing through connection, collaboration, mutual understanding
• Linked to qualitative research methods

Question 7

Critical

Answer 7

• Assume that knowledge is shaped by power relations
• Emphasis on recognizing and questioning one’s own power affects research
• Activist stance to create social change
• Linked to participatory and action research methods, because we want to share the power

Question 8

Participatory action research

Answer 8

• A collaborative approach involving researchers and community members
• An investment in the community beyond a focus of analysis and a source of data
• Community members actively participate in all aspects of the research
• A research approach but not a set of methods

Question 9

Kurt Lewin’s approach on action research

Answer 9

• Attempt to develop methods to deal with social problems such as poverty, fascism, anti-semitism
• It is a cyclical process where we have to:
• Formulate a plan of action
• Implementing the plan
• Studying outcomes from the plan
• Identify, understand, create a plan, implement the plan, and study the outcome, if something doesn’t work you can change the plan and try again
• Not participatory, but still action orientated

Question 10

Participatory research

Answer 10

• Combines research, education, and action
• Goal: structural transformation
• Focus: exploited or oppressed groups
• Mobilizing people to become more aware of their circumstances and their abilities and resources for change
• Ex: you’re homeless because of the system, not just because of your actions
• Missing the action, but it is important for critical consciousness (helping people understand)

Question 11

They key characteristics of participatory action research

Answer 11

• Participatory
• Cooperative, engaging community members and researchers in a joint process
• Co-learning process
• Systems development and local capacity building: people may meet each other creating more community
• Empowering process: people gain greater control over their lives (doesn’t always happen but it’s the goal)
• A balance of research and action
• Mixes action and participation

Question 12

Partnerships before beginning research

Answer 12

• Gain entry to the community
• Build relationships
• Build understanding of the community (needs, resources, etc.)
• Make research clearer
• But it is hard to get access to communities and get funding

Question 13

Research decisions

Answer 13

• Community research panel
• Collaborate with researchers in determining research questions, design and methods
• Collaborate on data collection and analysis

Question 14

Research products and impact

Answer 14

• Dissemination of findings in ways that will benefit the community
• Psychopolitical validity:
• Does research account for ecological influences on lives of individuals and communities
• Does research promote the capacity of research participants and community members to understand ecological forces acting on them and to promote change

Question 15

If there is not control variable in participatory action research how do we know it’s good

Answer 15

• Did the community like it/learn from it?
• Different ways at looking at validity: there may not be a scientific impact but there are different types of impact
• They can use this to advocate for change

Question 16

Limitations to participatory action research

Answer 16

• Often more an ideal
• Not appropriate for all research topics or situations
• Long term commitment
• Heavy demands on participants

Question 17

Eight characteristics of qualitative research

Answer 17

1. Qualitative or textual data
2. Immersion process for researcher
3. Naturalistic
4. Not just two variables, it’s about everything
5. Subjectivity
6. Inductive
7. Concerned with depth rather than breadth
8. Rigorous