Research Methods Lecture
Research methods Lecture #4
Planning phase 1. understanding the problem gather information use multiple sources of information if possible
Posing/refining questions
1. what are the questions we want to adress? descriptive (studying the world as it is) vs. normative questions
2. Verifying the questions transforming/organizing questions into research hypotheses checking if our questions/hypotheses are: explicit(no hidden assumptions), logical, testable
Planning phase 2. selecting research design selecting data collection strategy
Decision cycle:
1. what would be an optimal solution in terms of selecting research design?
2. what are the resources?
3. assessing feasibility
4. determining the trade-off’s
Basic criteria of research design selection
1. credibility - our conclusions should be supported in a valid way
2. Utility - we will be able to address the questions of interest
3. Feasibility - project might be conducted given all the constraints (ethical, financial, time)
4 basic methods of conducting research
1. observational studies
2. case studies
3. correlational research
4. experimental research
Observational studies method: behaviour is observed in its natural environment sometimes observation is the only choice
Naturalistic observation - pros.
+ firsthand info
+ behaviour is natural and uninfluenced
+ important part of exploratory research
+ unique observations
+ challenging existing theories
cons. if the observed is known to be observing, behaviour may be altered replication problems generalisability problems representativeness/sampling problems
Different levels of involvement
1. secret outsider limited knowledge
2. Recognized outsider observer known to participants hawthorne effect -
3. Marginal participant
4. Full participant - ethical issues
Data recording
1. note taking
2. using pre-coded checklists
3. creating maps/plans/diagrams
4. photographs/videotape
Behaviour recording define the behaviour top be observed which type of recording is best
Planning phase 1. understanding the problem gather information use multiple sources of information if possible
Posing/refining questions
1. what are the questions we want to adress? descriptive (studying the world as it is) vs. normative questions
2. Verifying the questions transforming/organizing questions into research hypotheses checking if our questions/hypotheses are: explicit(no hidden assumptions), logical, testable
Planning phase 2. selecting research design selecting data collection strategy
Decision cycle:
1. what would be an optimal solution in terms of selecting research design?
2. what are the resources?
3. assessing feasibility
4. determining the trade-off’s
Basic criteria of research design selection
1. credibility - our conclusions should be supported in a valid way
2. Utility - we will be able to address the questions of interest
3. Feasibility - project might be conducted given all the constraints (ethical, financial, time)
4 basic methods of conducting research
1. observational studies
2. case studies
3. correlational research
4. experimental research
Observational studies method: behaviour is observed in its natural environment sometimes observation is the only choice
Naturalistic observation - pros.
+ firsthand info
+ behaviour is natural and uninfluenced
+ important part of exploratory research
+ unique observations
+ challenging existing theories
cons. if the observed is known to be observing, behaviour may be altered replication problems generalisability problems representativeness/sampling problems
Different levels of involvement
1. secret outsider limited knowledge
2. Recognized outsider observer known to participants hawthorne effect -
3. Marginal participant
4. Full participant - ethical issues
Data recording
1. note taking
2. using pre-coded checklists
3. creating maps/plans/diagrams
4. photographs/videotape
Behaviour recording define the behaviour top be observed which type of recording is best