Research Methodologies Defined

1. quantitative methodologies - involves those methodologies, such as closed surveys structured interviews and sociograms (diagrammatic representations of interactions between individuals) which enable data (concrete or conceptual) to be collected, measured and compared with a standard.

a. survey - A methodology which can use different instruments such as observation, interview or a written list of questions called a questionnaire. Surveying is the process of conducting a study from representative samples of specific populations (for example, women in the workforce, Year 9 students, recent immigrants). If a questionnaire is used, it may be comprised entirely of closed questions, multiple-response questions, Lickett scale questions (differential sliding scale or rating scale questions) or open-ended questions, or may be a combination of all question styles. Data recording sheets for observation or a short list of structured interview questions are two other instruments that can be used during a survey.

b. observation - This methodology involves watching and recording behaviours within a clearly defined area. The researcher plays the role of passive observer and is, therefore, outside the action/s being observed and recorded.

c. questionnaire - a commonplace instrument for collecting data beyond the physical reach of the researcher, that is, from a large or diverse sample of people. It is an impersonal instrument for collecting information and must, therefore, contain clear questions, worded as simply as possible to avoid any confusion or ambiguity since the researcher probably will not be present to explain what was meant by any one particular question. The questionnaire should be designed to fulfil a specific research objective, it should be brief and the sequence of the questions logical.

 

2. qualitative methodologies - Involves a phenomenological perspective whereby researchers aim to understand, report and evaluate the meaning of events for people in particular situations, that is, how their social world is structured by the participants in it. The focus of qualitative methodologies is the way in which participants (rather than the researcher) interpret their experiences and construct reality. Some examples are, an unstructured interview, focus group, open-ended questionnaire and participant observation.

a. interview - an interview may be tightly structured, semi-structured, unstructured, indepth or conversational. this methodology involves the researcher and the interviewee in a one-to-one situation and may be quite time consuming. The researcher may interview several people at different times using the same interview question schedule.

b. participant observation - The researcher is immersed in the action being observed but their role as researcher is not obvious. An example of participant observation methodology occurs when the researcher goes into a shopping centre in a wheelchair or joins a group; in order to study it. Researchers using participant observation must be aware of the ethical implications of this methodology. A methodology wherein the researcher's role is more in the open is the participant-as-observer methodology. In this, the researcher still participates in, as well as observes, the action being studied but does so with the knowledge of other participants.

c. ethnographic study - The systematic collection of data derived from direct observation of the everyday life of a particular society, group or subculture. this methodology requires the researcher's immersion in the culture/subculture under study and is an interactive process. The researcher is interested in understanding the customary actions, beliefs, knowledge and attitudes of the social group as these are reflected in the ways of engaging in everyday life.

d. focus group - a small group (3 - 8 persons whose members are brought together by the researcher for an indepth discussion of a specific issue or topic. The researcher plans an interview schedule and organises the time and place. A tape recorder is essential for the success of the use of this methodology. The techniques of conducting the focus group; are similar to conducting an indepth interview, the researcher needs, however, to be able to manage up to eight people talking about the issue or topic.

 statistical analysis - Examining data to interpret meaning, make generalisations and extrapolate trends. Often the data come in graphical form and because these data are expressed in the language of mathematics, they should be evaluated and interpreted by means of ;appropriate mathematical or statistical procedures.

action research - An informal, qualitative, interpretive, reflective and experimental methodology that requires all the participants to be collaborative researchers. Action research is carried out by people who usually recognise a problem or limitation in their workplace situation and, together, devise a plan to counteract the problem, implement the plan, observe what happens, reflect on these outcomes, revise the plan, implement it, reflect, revise and so on. Action research can be thought of as a spiral of planning, acting, observing and reflecting, occurring through time until the most desirable outcomes for all participants are achieved.

 

personal reflection - requires the researcher to reflect upon, and evaluate, their own experiences, memories, values and opinions in relation to a specific issue or topic.