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Syllabus Summary Effectiveness/Limitations/Examples Research fundamentals
- the purpose of research, e.g., advance knowledge, increase understanding, educate others, inform practice The purpose of research is to advance knowledge, increase understanding, educate others and inform practice. Research is the act of advancing knowledge and increasing understanding about specific issues or topics in order to both educate and inform other people. Research allows you to learn something new, pursue interests and challenge yourself in new ways Research is able to help us make informed decisions, dispel myths and to help improve our practice Learn something new Solve problems Make decisions the focus of research, e.g., question/hypothesis Research focuses on a particular interest or topic. By this, you can formulate a research question or hypothesis to investigate and answer.
Research Questions: Asks whether a relationship exists between variables in a particular population. Similar to theses are research problem statements which present the idea, issue, or situation that the researcher intends to examine in their study. Thus, a research questions may be conceptualised as a statement or question. Hypothesis: A problem, question or statement that one proposes to test throughout research; it is a positive statement of what the researcher expects to find out; this could ultimately be proven or disproven, depending on the research results. The difference between a research question and a hypothesis is that a research question asks whether a relationship exists between variables in a particular population; whereas a hypothesis is a statement that one proposes to test throughout research. Research Question- Will using entertainment technologies every day have an impact on the social wellbeing of school-age children? Problem Statement- Using entertainment technologies everyday has an impact on the social wellbeing of school-age children. Hypothesis- Using entertainment technologies every day can have an impact on the social wellbeing of school-age children.
Systematic Sampling- Obtained by selecting one person on a random basis and then choosing additional people at evenly spaced intervals until the desired number of units has been obtained. Requires a system in place to choose participants. Cluster Sampling- Splitting the population into groups based on their location or characteristics. Convenience Sampling- Obtained by selecting people because they are easily located such as friends and family. This saves time, money and effort but results tend to have the lowest credibility as they are bias and not representative of the population Stratified Sampling- Involves process in which the population is divided into strata (layers) groups and then e.g., needing 10 people to be respondents, putting 100 in a line and then choosing every 10 th^ person in the line. e.g., if the clusters are roll-call groups, 4 roll call are selected at random then the researcher chooses 5 students from each of these groups e.g., interviewing the first 10 people you meet in a day and surveying 10 close friends
random selection occurs within each stratum. This means the researcher can ensure that there is a more balanced representation in each strata group and groups can be compared with each other in similar proportions to the general population Sample Group: The population group the research is targeting. Sample Size: Refers to how many participants are going to be part of the sample. This may depend on the amount of time you have to complete the study and which research methods you use e.g., splitting population of 100 into male and female and then choosing 5 people from each group to get your sample of 10. e.g., if researching “What are the effects of exams on HSC student’s emotional wellbeing?”, the appropriate population is ‘HSC Students’ e.g., “how does a newborn affect a first-time parents’ social and physical wellbeing?” Questionnaires and interviews as research method Sample size of 20-40 for questionnaires Sample size of 3-5 for interviews These figures are approximations according to the length of time you have. e.g., observations, interviews, focus groups,
Sources of data individuals and groups print and digital
(IGPD)
Individuals- People or individuals can be sources of primary data, which can be collected by means of surveys, case studies, or observations e.g., teacher, family member, friends, neighbours Groups- Organisations and other groups can be sources of primary data, which can be collected by means of surveys, case studies, or observations. e.g., salvation army, local council, police Print- Print sources can be used to collect secondary data by means of literature reviews. e.g., books, journals, magazines, newspapers,
Digital- Digital sources can be used to collect secondary data in the form of electronic publications and case studies. They can also be used to collect primary data through observation. e.g., internet, computer programs, tv, radios, podcasts, statistics, webcasts Source Limitations Advantages Individuals Bias Lengthy to analyse First-hand info Cost-effective Groups Hard to get hold of Good info Reliable Print May not get the answer to question Can be false Digital Bias Inaccurate Difficult to validate Easy to find
o There is more than one research methodology on twopic Ethical Behaviour Research is guided by ethics. It is the most socially responsible and moral way of proceeding. BIIRP: Bias- Bias can occur when the researcher or data are influenced in favour of one point of view or angle. E.g.: Asking leadings questions “Why do you prefer A over B?” Choosing a sampling method that doesn’t reflect age, gender, or culture of population Distributing questionnaires to 3 males, 15 females Recording data that supports hypothesis rather than objective truth Omitting to document behaviours/actions during observation; subjectively choosing some data results to interpret + analyse
Integrity of data and researcher- Researcher must be honest and truthful as they’re deemed accountable for presenting research without changing, modifying, or suppressing any material. If bias/subjectivity occurs, it should be mentioned in the analysis. Furthermore, making sure the research process is reliable and valid also contributes to integrity. Appendix Bibliography Clear records Document all data truthfully Maintain all documents Respect- Volunteers who are a part of research must have their rights respected. During your research you must: Plan questions with correct wording so that it’s not too personal or disrespectful Be aware of physical, emotional and social wellbeing of participant so no risks are involved If student runs out of time to collect surveys and uses fake names and results instead, they aren’t being dishonest, rather falsifying their data and undermining its integrity.
Research Methods Questionnaires and Surveys A set of formally prepared questions that seek info on a person’s knowledge, beliefs and opinions, likes or dislikes. To ensure success of this research method questions must be presented in a simple manner: Don’t use complicated language Ask 1 question at a time Avoid introducing bias by using emotive language Have clear layout with space for respondents to answer Interview: Interviews involve personal contact with the respondent. For both structured and unstructured interviews, researcher should have prepared questions and idea on how to record answers (phone, app). However, to record, researcher must gain permission prior to interview. During the interview, the researcher should take notes on a pre- formatted document and follow this up with report afterwards. Also, by creating soothing environment, respondent will be more comfortable to answer questions.
Structured interview- A conversation between two or more people in which the interviewer has planned a set of predetermined questions to ask Unstructured interview- A discussion between 2 or more people in which the interview is more informal, with the researcher planning areas for discussion without developing the actual questions Case Studies- A deep analysis of a situation. Developing a case study requires the use of multiple sources of info such as interviews and observations which should be collected to ensure detailed profile on issue can be provided. Hence, they are useful in answering ‘how’ or ‘why’ questions rather than who, what and when.
Literature Review- A logical and methodical way of organising the already existing body of knowledge of a topic. A strong literature review includes: Points that are organised into issues/themes that relate to research proposal Demonstration that researcher has carried out background research and familiarised themselves with the topic Provides context for researcher to show what previous has found and sets framework for new info that can be identified in the research Research Process Planning for research Managing resources e.g., time, materials Formulating a research process When planning the research, the researcher must manage their resources efficiently and formulate a research proposal. Step 1: Managing resources - being organised The researcher must manage time = create a timeline to manage when things should be done by and continually follow up on it (tick if things are done etc.)
Manage data = use folders, binders, diary to record things, USB drive - -> so info won’t get misplaced Step 2: Formulating research proposal Focus of IRP should be related to course content: individuals, groups, families, resource management Brainstorm + have discussion to decide topic Make it something you’re interested in Make sure recourses needed are readily available to you (e.g., can’t research effect of human trafficking on community if there is no trafficking issue active and widespread) Once decided:
- Investigate (plan, inquire into)
- Evaluate (make judgement)
- Compare and contrast (show how things are similar/different)
identified Collecting & Recording Data The secondary data gathered sets the foundation for the primary data that needs to be collected --> surveys, interview, observation
- Create draft set of questions
- Pilot the method and evaluate effectiveness
- Refine the draft questions
- Documenting Actions & Issues Way to document actions issues is through the project diary. Researcher must:
- Outline of progress
- Description of sources of data
- Description of methods to collect secondary/primary data
- Personal opinions/comments Interpreting Research Once the researcher has conducted research,
- presenting research findings
- analysing research results
- drawing conclusions from research they need to present findings, analyse and interpret the results and draw conclusions. Presenting Research Findings Data can be presented in 2 ways: - Qualitatively - Quantitatively Qualitative- e.g., interview data is descriptive and can’t be reduced to numerical form; presented in written report form; includes quotes and anecdotes Analysing Research Results IS THE LAST THING THE RESEARCHER DOES This when the researcher consolidates the info collected e.g., the literature review + primary data which is collated in graphs, tables or written reports - Important to know info inside out to analyse better - Identify trends in data (what was most common response? What feeling was expressed? Were there similarities between age groups in the sample?)
