Research Methodsand Methodologies

Dr Barbara Rawlings

I will cover……

• Choosing a research method

• Uses of qualitative and quantitative approaches

• The research viewpoint

• Collecting data

• Analysing data

Choosing a research method

• It depends on:

• The research question

• The kind of data you want to collect

• What you are investigating

• The research outcomes you want to achieve

What you hope to achieve is..

• A piece of research which is:• Focused• Reliable (you can apply it to other similar

situations)• Valid (you’ve chosen methods which really do

investigate the research question)

• Robust (you’ve considered other options and selected the strongest method and the widest or deepest approach possible)

Quantitative methods

• large numbers• Surveys• structured questionnaires• Closed questions (mostly)• Essential to ask the same questions• Researcher controls the data boundaries• Numerical or statistical results• Can be widely generalised (applied to other

units or populations)

Qualitative methods

• Smaller numbers• Questionnaires, interviews, observation etc – a

variety of data collection methods• Semi structured or informal data collection• Open questions• The subject controls the data boundaries • Iterative design (it can change as needed)• Detailed ‘rich’ results• Offers insight and understanding rather than a

general overview.

Mixing qualitative and quantitative methods

• Eg:• A small qualitative study to explore the field first

or• A qualitative study to explore findings from a larger

survey

or• Questionnaires which include closed and open questions

or

• A qualitative study which includes topics which are amenable to mathematical calculation.

The research viewpoint

• Are you involved or collaborating with your subjects? (Action research)

• Or are you an outsider (conventional research)

• How do you maintain your ‘distance’?’

• How do you get the data you need?

Collecting data

• Observation

• Documents

• Questionnaires

• Interviews

• Focus groups

• Self-reflection

• Experiment

Other sources

• Google

• Wikipedia

• Blogs

• Email

• Online surveys (eg: Survey Monkey)

Keeping the data organised

• File boxes• Filing cabinets• Computer files and documents • Plus back-ups• Recordings (audio / video)• Notes relating to any recordings• Computer programmes (NUD:IST,

Ethnograph)• Computerised bibliolgraphies (Endnote)

Then what…?Analysing the data

• Quantitative computer programmes (EXCEL)• Qual/quant computer programmes (SPSS)• Qualitative programmes (NUD:IST, Ethnograph) • Grounded theory• Sorting pieces of paper into heaps• Thematic analysis• Mind maps• Identifying unique features• Identifying comparative features• Developing case studies

Writing up

• Practice

• Useful as an analytical tool

• Try to write for someone who is both nice and interested, not for your image of the examiners.

• Keep handing it in.

• Ask others to read it

• Keep it organised – date each piece.

References• Becker, H. S., (2007) Writing for Social Scientists: how to

start and finish your thesis, book or article. Chicago: Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing and Publishing

• Bell, Judith, (1987) Doing Your Research Project:

Buckingham: Open University Press. • Morgan, David, (1997) “Focus Groups as Qualitative

Research”. Sage: Thousand Oaks, California.

• Moustakas, Clark, (1990) Heuristic Research: design, methodology and applications. London: Sage

• Rose, Gillian, (2001) Visual Methodologies. London: Sage.

• Yin, R.K., (1989) “Case Study Research: design and method”. Newbury Park CA: Sage.