Unit 2 question 2.2.
Designs and Research Evidence
"Designs and Research Evidence" generally refers to the methodology and
proof used to support claims in academic and professional fields. Here’s a
brief overview of what this entails:
1. **Research Designs:**
- **Experimental Design:** Involves manipulating one variable to
determine if it causes a change in another variable, typically using control
and experimental groups.
- **Quasi-Experimental Design:** Similar to experimental design but
lacks random assignment.
- **Non-Experimental Design:** Observational studies where variables
are not manipulated by the researcher, such as surveys or case studies.
- **Longitudinal Studies:** Research conducted over a long period to
observe changes over time.
- **Cross-Sectional Studies:** Observations at a single point in time,
often used to look at the prevalence of something in a population.
2. **Evidence Types:**
- **Quantitative Evidence:** Data that can be measured and expressed
numerically, often analyzed using statistical methods.
- **Qualitative Evidence:** Non-numerical data that explores concepts,
experiences, or phenomena, often gathered through interviews, focus
groups, or content analysis.
- **Mixed Methods:** Combines both quantitative and qualitative
evidence to provide a more comprehensive understanding.
3. **Hierarchy of Evidence:**
- **Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses:** Summarize results from
multiple studies to provide high-level evidence.
- **Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs):** Considered the gold
standard for testing the effectiveness of interventions.
- **Cohort Studies:** Follow a group of people over time to see how
certain exposures affect outcomes.
- **Case-Control Studies:** Compare people with a condition to those
without to identify possible causes.
- **Expert Opinions and Case Reports:** Less rigorous but can provide
insights, especially in new or rare areas of research.
Unit 3
Define research methodology and explain the methodological
consideration in quantitative and qualitative approaches.
**Research Methodology** refers to the systematic, theoretical analysis of
the methods applied to a field of study. It encompasses the concepts behind
the methods used in a particular study, the way in which data is collected,
analyzed, and interpreted, and the philosophical underpinnings that guide
the research approach.
### Methodological Considerations in Quantitative and Qualitative
Approaches
#### Quantitative Research Methodology:
Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of numerical data
to understand patterns, relationships, or to test hypotheses.
**Key Methodological Considerations:**
1. **Research Design:**
- **Experimental:** Involves manipulating one variable to determine its
effect on another, with control and treatment groups.
- **Quasi-Experimental:** Similar to experimental but lacks random
assignment.
- **Non-Experimental:** Observational studies like surveys, correlational
studies, etc.
2. **Sampling:**
- **Random Sampling:** Ensures every individual in the population has
an equal chance of being selected, enhancing generalizability.
- **Stratified Sampling:** Divides the population into subgroups and
samples from each to ensure representation.
3. **Data Collection Methods:**
- **Surveys/Questionnaires:** Structured instruments with closed-
ended questions.
- **Experiments:** Controlled conditions to test hypotheses.
- **Secondary Data Analysis:** Using existing data sets.
4. **Data Analysis:**
- **Descriptive Statistics:** Mean, median, mode, standard deviation,
etc.
- **Inferential Statistics:** T-tests, ANOVA, regression analysis, etc., to
make predictions or inferences about the population.
5. **Validity and Reliability:**
- **Internal Validity:** Ensuring that the observed effects are due to the
independent variable and not other factors.
- **External Validity:** The extent to which results can be generalized to
other contexts.
- **Reliability:** Consistency and repeatability of the results.
#### Qualitative Research Methodology:
Qualitative research focuses on understanding phenomena through the
collection of non-numerical data like texts, interviews, or observations,
aiming to provide insights into people's experiences, behaviors, and social
contexts.
**Key Methodological Considerations:**
1. **Research Design:**
- **Ethnography:** In-depth study of people and cultures in their natural
environment.
- **Case Study:** Detailed examination of a single case or a small
number of cases.
- **Phenomenology:** Focuses on individuals' experiences and
perceptions of a phenomenon.
- **Grounded Theory:** Developing a theory based on data collected.
2. **Sampling:**
- **Purposive Sampling:** Selecting participants who have specific
characteristics or experiences.
- **Snowball Sampling:** Participants refer other potential participants.
3. **Data Collection Methods:**
- **Interviews:** Open-ended, in-depth conversations.
- **Focus Groups:** Group discussions to gather diverse perspectives.
- **Observations:** Systematic noting and recording of behaviors and
events.
- **Document Analysis:** Examination of texts, documents, or artifacts.
4. **Data Analysis:**
- **Thematic Analysis:** Identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns
(themes) within data.
- **Content Analysis:** Systematic coding and categorizing of textual
information.
- **Narrative Analysis:** Examining stories or personal accounts to
understand how people make sense of experiences.
5. **Trustworthiness:**
- **Credibility:** Confidence in the truth of the findings.
- **Transferability:** The extent to which findings can be applied in other
contexts.
- **Dependability:** The stability of data over time and conditions.
- **Confirmability:** Objectivity and the potential for findings to be
corroborated by others.
Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies have their strengths and
weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the research
questions, objectives, and the nature of the phenomenon being studied. In
many cases, researchers use a mixed-methods approach to leverage the
strengths of both methodologies.
