Field Methods Research

FM LAB

Field methods research

Practical application of research techniques outside controlled laboratory settings

Benefits

• High ecological validity

• Real behavior in natural context

Limitations

• Less control over variables

• Ethical and logistical constraints

Research

• Systematic process of colleting, analyzing, and interpreting data

• Involves empirical investigations, controlled and critical methods, and hypothetical propositions

• Research = experience + reasoning

Importance of Research

• Human advancement relies on the creation and application of new theories and knowledge which is achieved through systematic research

• Research integrates methodology, strategy, and critical inquiry

Objectives of research

• To develop or to support theory

• To create new knowledge

Theory

Set of statements explaining phenomena and relationships

Knowledge

Information and understanding gained by study or experience

Two pathways of knowledge

1. Experience

2. Reasoning

Experience

Acquired through living, observation, and interactionR

Reasoning

Reaching conclusion through logic and argument

Research Methodology/ Approach

• Overarching philosophical and methodological orientation or the big picture

• Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Methods

Research Design

• Overall strategy or blueprint for conducting research

• Descriptive, Correlational

• What and How the research will be conducted

Re

Research Methods

• Specific techniques or procedures used to gather and analyze data

• Interviews, surveys, observation

• How exactly data will be collected, measured, and analyzed

Res

Types of research design

1. Experimental

2. Correlational

3. Descriptive

4. Phenomenology

5. Explanatory Sequential

6. Exploratory Sequential

7. Convergent Parallel

Experimental

Manipulates variables to test causal relationships

Correlational

Examines relationships between variables

Descriptive

Describes characteristics or behaviors

Phenomenology

Explores lived experiences or social phenomena deeply

Explanatory Sequential

• Quantitative —> Qualitative; qualitative data is used to explain the quantitative data

• Used to answer why and how; topic is known

Exploratory Sequential

• Qualitative —> Quantitative; Qualitative data is used to explore and identify important themes, then quantitative data is used to test or measure them with a larger group

• Used to discover; topic is new

Convergent Parallel

• Collect quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (stories) data at the same time

• Analyze each separately, then compare to see if they match, conflict, or complement

• used to confirm, validate, or complement results

• comprehensive and time-efficient (both types collected together)

• Researchers must be skilled in both methods; integration can be tricky if results disagree

Example of Convergent Parallel

“Understanding Test Anxiety Among Senior High School Students”

a. Quantitative: Survey 150 students to measure anxiety levels.

b. Qualitative: Interview 8–10 students to hear personal experiences.

c. compare results for consistency and deeper understanding.

Research Methods

1. Survey/Questionnaires

2. Interviews

3. Observation

4. Experiments

5. Focus Groups

Surveys/Questionnaires

Collecting structured responses from many respondents

Interviews

In-depth understanding of individual perspectives

Observation

Watching behaviors in natural and controlled settings

Experiments

Testing hypothesis with variable manipulation

Focus groups

Interactive group discussions for exploring perspectives

Cornerstone of Research

1. Concept

2. Theory

3. Model

4. Construct

5. Variable

6. Proposition

7. Hypothesis

Concept

• General idea or understanding of a phenomenon

• Provides the basic unit of meaning in a study

• Clear conceptualization ensures reader interprets your research correctly

Thoery

• Set of principles intended to explain facts or events

• Explain why something happens

• Provides a framework for analyzing and interpreting findings

Model

• A representation of a problem, system, or process

• Explain why something happens

• Provides framework for analyzing and interpreting findings

Construct

• Abstract idea created for research purposes, often not directly observable

• Central in psychological research since it operationalizes intangible concepts

Variable

• Measurable component of a construct or concept

Types of Variable

• Independent - cause

• Dependent - effect

• Mediating - explains

• Moderating - changes the form or intensity

• Control - constant

Mediating

explains

Moderating

changes the form or intensity

Proposition

• Statement that proposes a relationship between two or more concepts of variables

• Tentative explanation that can be tested and potentially lead to a hypothesis

• Often derived from existing theories or observations

• “Empathy influences altruistic behavior among young adults”

Hypothesis

• Testable prediction about the relationship between variables

• Provides a specific direction for analysis

• "Filipino undergraduate students with higher empathy scores will have higher altruism scores”