Research Methodology

Purpose of Research

Advance knowledge

Increase understanding

Inform practice

Educate others

Focus of Research

Hypothesis

Research Question

Hypothesis

predicting cause and effect and the possible outcomes of your research → bias

Research Question

inquiring into possible outcomes of your research without jumping to conclusions → neutral standpoint

Sampling

taking a smaller group from a population for research purposes

represent a cross-section of the whole population

Random sampling

An even chance for everyone in the population to be selected

Reduces possible bias

Ultimately should best represent a cross-section of the population as participants can be drawn from anywhere

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Stratified sampling

Participants are categorised into strata groups (e.g. groups based on gender, postcode or age) and a sample is taken from each group

even amount of data from each category is collected

reduces imbalances in the characteristics of participants

Systematic sampling

Researcher may choose, for example, every fifth house in a suburb to collect data on

\-develop an understanding of the characteristics of the whole suburb without the need to collect data on all houses

Convenience sampling

Surveying people you know

Primary Data

data you will be collecting yourself for the specific purpose of your research topic

Secondary Data

analysing existing research through forms such as academic journals or publications by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Qualitative data

data represented by participant opinions or views which contain more depth

Quantatative Data

responses which can be measured numerically is quantitative data

Individuals (data)

opinions, expertise and knowledge 

Groups (data)

organisations which provide information and their own research to society

Print

Level of integrity (passed author)

Less mistakes

Digital

Up-to-date

multi-media

Reliability

the repeatability of a research method to obtain similar results.

(your sample group represents a cross-section of the whole population, you should be able to repeat an experiment or methodology with another sample group and have very consistent results come out of both experiments)

Validity

the results drawn from your research should hold some degree of certainty

back up ur data with secondary sources, obtain data effectivley and confidently

Ethical behaviour

Respect

Integrity

Privacy

Bias

Respect

gain their trust and willingness to engage in the research

views, opinions, and personal experiences need to be respected

Integrity

Data needs to be collected in a reliable and honest manner and should be presented without bias or untruthfulness

No falsifying, changing, supressing data

Privacy

no humiliation, discrimination, or public scrutiny

confidentiality, annomonimity

Bias

Researcher influence data

Questionnaires

Qualative and Quantative

Case Studies

in-depth analyses of a topic in a real-life context

provide qualitative data based on real cases, such as people

Interviews

one on one method of collecting qualitative research

Observation

view the behaviours and actions of their participants in their natural environment.

Participant observation

the researcher involves themselves in the environment their research is being conducted in. They may engage with a group and observe the way the group interacts with each other or behaves around each other to gather a further understanding of group

Non-participant observation

researcher observes from afar, usually in a discreet manner to avoid being noticed.  This allows them to collect data which is authentic, as participants are unlikely to consciously change their mannerisms or behaviour if they do not know they are being observed.

Literature Reviews

reading and analysing secondary sources relating to topic, then writing a summary and evaluation of their correlation to your own research.

Planning for research

Selecting research focus

Managing resources →

Appropriate sampling method

How will research be conducted?

Timeline for research goals

Conducting Research

accessing sources of data – collecting and recording data – documenting actions and issues →

Accessing relevant secondary data

Using suitable research methods

Recording actions, proposing solutions

Presetning primary data in graphs, tables, report

Comparing key findings from primary and secondary sources

Interprating Research

presenting research findings – analysing research results – drawing conclusions from research →

Forming research-based conclusions and making recommendations

crediting sources of data by means of bibliography and appendix