1.3 museum research methods social research fundamentals
TRANSCRIPT
Museum Research Methods
MUSM7034Semester 1 2009
Session 1.3 Social research fundamentals
www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/museum
http://musm7034.ning.com/
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Scientific method What is data Research techniques Ethics Validity and reliability
Discuss Bielefeld
Assessment 1
1. Introduction
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2. Scientific Method
Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Start with systematic data collection Use inductive reasoning to compose a
theory Credited with establishing scientific method
Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996)
Science proceeds by paradigm shifts Scientific revolutions
Karl Popper (1902-1994)
Science cannot verify the truth of our theories, it can only show when they are wrong (Empirical Falsification).
Theories that survive falsification better are a better ‘fit’ with reality.
Like biological evolution, theories that survive more and more falsification are able to explain increasingly complex problems. Over time, stronger theories emerge..
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2. Scientific Method
OBSERVATION Valid data
EXPLANATION Logical & sensible
PREDICT So what?
TEST Confirm or deny
Define the question Gather information and resources
(observe) Form hypothesis Perform experiment and collect data Analyze data Interpret data and draw conclusions
that serve as a starting point for new hypothesis
Publish results Retest (frequently done by other
scientists)
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3. What is data
Data is information in any form – numbers, words, paragraphs, images, diagrams, drawings, etc.
Systematic data is more useful
Data Processing – organising data into more useful forms
Data Analysis – more organising! Often using complex maths to test real effects (more on that later)
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4. Research techniques
Quantitative (numbers) Survey Face to face, telephone, online, self-
completion, mail
Qualitative (not numeric) Focus groups Semi-structured interviews Workshops
Observation Tracking Timing & counting Noting behaviours
Literature Review
Desk Analysis Data mining
Ethnography
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5. Ethics
Do no harm
Privacy legislation
Code of Professional Behaviour
Australian Market and Social Research Society
http://www.mrsa.com.au/index.cfm?a=detail&id=2649&eid=138
Children
Sensitive topics
Opt-in, permission-based contact Do Not Call register
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6. Validity and reliability
Reliability
consistency of measurement degree to which an instrument measures
the same way each time it is used under the same condition with the same subjects
Validity
1. Conclusion validity – is there a relationship between the intervention and the observed outcome?
2. Internal Validity – if there is a relationship between the intervention and the outcome we saw, is it a causal relationship?
3. Construct validity – is there a relationship between how I operationalised my concepts in this study to the actual causal relationship I'm trying to study?
4. External validity – can we generalize the results of our study to other settings?
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Group work – Bielefeld
Group 1
What kind of non-profits does Bielefeld have in mind? How relevant is this to museums?
What’s wrong with the paragraph on p398, “This also seems…”
Describe the positivist approach.
Group 2
Who is this paper written for?
What is the difference between basic and applied research?
In what ways is academia relevant to visitor research in museums?
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Assessment 1
Social research in the museum sector follows the basic principles of the scientific method to generate information that is objective in order to provide a reliable basis for effective decision-making.
Discuss the practical application of the scientific method in the field of visitor studies using examples from the Reader.
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Your experiences
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Gillian Savage
Ph. 9954 0455 (business hours)
Ning. http://musm7034.ning.com/
Contact