Research Methodology - Quantitative and Qualitative methods.

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Research Methodology

* QUANTITATIVE METHODS ~ the approach concerned with obtaining numerical information which can be analysed using statistics

* Descriptive ~ statistics which summarise and describe data

* Inferential ~ allow the user to make judgments about probability or the likelihood of getting a particular set of scores by chance

. Require the researcher to define items to be measured in advance and to control the situation

2. Therefore used in experiments where it's possible to test a hypothesis under rigorous controlled conditions

3. Aim => to establish cause and effect relationships

4. Experiments result in high levels of reliability (same results repeatedly) but often have problems with validity (answers the research question)

* QUALITATIVE METHODS ~ the approach concerned with the meaning of the information as the most important thing to consider

* Not so concerned with numerical and statistical data but descriptive statistics may be used

* The methods allow greater freedom for the subjects of the research to determine the information gathered - so, quality and richness of information is often greater

* Reliability is often much harder to achieve

* The commonest techniques include questionnaires, case studies and interviews

‡ Triangulation ~ using several different methods to collect the data

. You can look at a topic from different perspectives and compare different outcomes, and therefore hone in on an idea if all 3 studies give similar results or implications

2. It allows for more accurate interpretation of a topic and a more rounded picture - higher validity

3. Suggests further areas of research

* In studying aggression, a researcher may:

* Measure hormone levels (quantitative)

* Conduct an interview (qualitative)

* Observe behaviour over an extended period of time (qualitative)

* Triangulation can also involve:

* Data :: over time, different locations, persons (individuals or groups)

* Investigator :: different investigators

* Theories :: from different perspectives - biological, psychodynamic, behaviourist

* Methodological :: within and between methods on different occasions

(r) INTERVIEWS ~ the most common way of gathering qualitative data

* Structured

. A rigid structure approach is a legacy of behaviourist methodology in their quest for objective data

2. Aim => to ensure that the interview is clearly and tightly specified. Therefore scripted in advance (similar to a questionnaire except the interviewer is present)

3. Requires little judgment or initiative from the interviewer

4. Probe questions => if the answer is unclear, the interview uses probe questions for clarification

* ADVANTAGES

* Good if large number of people are involved as interviewers
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* Higher response rate

* DISADVANTAGES

* Expensive in terms of time

* Too much structure can lead to distortion

* Semi-Structured

. Used to collect people's ideas, experiences, opinions

2. The interviewer and the respondent have much more freedom to expand on ideas and opinions

3. Usually have a combination of open and closed questions

4. Has the advantage of following some kind of guide or structure with flexibility => interviewer can build upon interviewee's responses

* Open-Structured (unstructured)

. Collaborative conversations between the interviewer and ...

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