Research Methods - SW - midterm

Question 1

What is rationale?

Answer 1

Rationale = the research justification or purpose - it explains WHY study is needed and what it aims to accomplish (answers “So what?” question)

Question 2

What does rationale describe?

Answer 2

It describes the context of the research, the gap in knowledge or problem that prompted the study, and how the study will address that need.

It starts general and becomes more specific in the last sentence (“this research aims to…”)

Question 3

What is a problem statement?

Answer 3

The WHAT of a specific issue or gap that you tend to address.

Question 4

What are research questions?

Answer 4

= hypotheses = HOW you will investigate the problem (statement)

Question 5

What is significance?

Answer 5

Basically = who will benefit from this study - so = a section of research that explains the relevance and importance of the research topic.

Question 6

What does significance outline?

Answer 6

It outlines the relevance of the research (how study contributes to existing body of knowledge), how it benefits stakeholders, enhances credibility, and guides future research.

Question 7

What is ontology?

Answer 7

= the study of the nature of reality (esp. our social reality) - = a foundational component of a paradigm and influences epistemology

Question 8

What does ontology involve?

Answer 8

It involves the analysis of abstract concepts and the distinction that underlies specific descriptions of a given phenomenon in the world.

Question 9

What is epistemology?

Answer 9

= the nature of knowledge
- basically = ‘how do we know what we know?’

Question 10

What is epistemology all about?

Answer 10

When does knowledge count? Whose knowledge is valued? What constitutes our evidence? What type of knowledge is valued?

Question 11

What are the four-sources of knowledge involved in epistemology?

Answer 11

Persons in authority, cultural traditions, experience, and scientific study.

Question 12

What is axiology?

Answer 12

= the study of values and ethics in research

Question 13

What does axiology address?

Answer 13

• What is considered valuable in the research process?
• How do the researcher’s values influence the choice of topic, methods, and interpretation?
• How do ethical principles (e.g. justice, respect, beneficence) guide research decisions

Question 14

What is methodology?

Answer 14

= a systematic plan or approach used to conduct research
- So is shaped by the researcher’s philosophical assumptions (ontology and epistemology) and determines whether the study uses qual., quan., or mixed methods.

Question 15

What does methodology include?

Answer 15

It includes strategies, techniques, and procedures that guide how data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted.

Question 16

What is quasi-experimental?

Answer 16

= a research approach that examines the effect of an intervention W/OUT the use of full random assignment
- so features comparison group, manipulation of variable, pre-test and post-test, and NO random assignment
- common in community, school, or clinical settings

Question 17

What is single-case research design (SCRD)?

Answer 17

= research method that focuses on measuring change (due to a specific intervention) in 1 (n=1) individual, group, or unit over time
- begins by identifying the problem and targeting the behavior (frequency, duration, intensity, etc.) that is believed to be the cause of the problem

Question 18

What is the universe?

Answer 18

= the broadest context - reminds us of the broader phenomenon beyond the immediate study

Question 19

What is a population?

Answer 19

= the entire group you are interested in learning about

Question 20

What is the target population?

Answer 20

= the specific subset of the population that your study focuses on and that you can realistically access based on your criteria

Question 21

What is a sample?

Answer 21

= the actual group of units from whom you collect data
- usually comes from the sample, b/c that is where data is generated

Question 22

What is sampling in quan. studies?

Answer 22

It refers to the systematic process of selecting a subset of individuals (a sample) from a larger group (the population) so that the results of the study can be generalized back to that population using statistical analysis

Question 23

What does quan. research depend on?

Answer 23

Numerical data, measurement, and statistical inference - so having a well-designed, unbiased sample is essential for accuracy and credibility

Question 24

What is probability sampling?

Answer 24

= random selection process - enables generalization (ensures all elements have chances of being selected)

Question 25

What is simple random sampling?

Answer 25

= probability sampling method where every member of population has equal and known chance of being selected

Question 26

What is systematic random sampling?

Answer 26

= probability sampling method that combines randomness (in 1 k-th unit selection) w/ order (in every selection after that)

Question 27

What is stratified random sampling?

Answer 27

= probability sampling method where population is divided into subgroups (strata) based on important characteristics, and participants are randomly selected from each stratum

Question 28

What is cluster sampling?

Answer 28

= probability sampling method where the population is divided into natural, pre-existing groups called clusters (e.g. schools, neighborhoods, etc.), and the researcher randomly selects entire clusters and either studies everyone in those clusters or randomly selects individuals

Question 29

What is sample error / sample bias?

Answer 29

= effects generalizability and is impossible to eliminate but can be reduced

Question 30

What is reliability?

Answer 30

= the consistency, stability, or repeatability of an assessment tool

Question 31

What is validity?

Answer 31

= the ability of an assessment tool to measure what it is supposed to

Question 32

What are consent forms?

Answer 32

= forms that clearly explain the study's purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and the rights of the participants (including their w/drawal)

Question 33

What is data analysis and coding?

Answer 33

Data reduction = coding and categorization (in qual. research) Coding = process of organizing and sorting data

Question 34

What is open-coding?

Answer 34

= the initial stage where data is broken down and analyzed to identify concepts, categories, or themes

Question 35

What does open-coding involve?

Answer 35

- using the participant's EXACT words or phrases as codes to capture their lived experiences and perspectives - allows for exploration and discovery as PI remains open to emerging patterns and concepts w/out predetermined categories

Question 36

What is axial coding?

Answer 36

(grouping and related codes) = emphasis on categories and key relationships

Question 37

What is thematic coding?

Answer 37

= process of identifying and interpreting patterns or themes w/in the data

Question 38

What is phenomenological analysis?

Answer 38

It looks for underlying structure or essence of the experience through intensive study of the individual cases - so it purposefully avoids comparison and focuses on details of the lived experience to generate new descriptions or conceptualizations

Question 39

What is ethnographic analysis?

Answer 39

= uses iterative process where ideas arising from the involvement w/ the participants in their natural setting are transferred into a written statement

Question 40

What is IPA?

Answer 40

= interpretive phenomenological analysis = a qual. research approach focused on exploring how individuals make sense of their lived experiences, emphasizing personal meaning-making and detailed, case-by-case analysis

Question 41

What is trustworthiness?

Answer 41

= the overall quality, integrity, and believability of qual. research Answers the question: can the findings be trusted as a valid representation of the participants' experiences?

Question 42

How is trustworthiness achieved?

Answer 42

Through 4 main criteria: 1. Credibility = confidence in truth of findings 2. Transferability = meaningful application to other contexts 3. Dependability = consistency and stability of the research process 4. Confirmability = neutrality and grounding in participant data