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
* 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