Iram Naz (Project Manager)

Week 4 – Research Methodology and Methods

Outline for Week 4:10.30 -11.30: Ethics Refresher session

11.30 -12.30: Using Qualitative methodology and Action Research

12.30 -12.45:Activity

12.45 - 1.30pm:Lunch

1.30 - 3.30pm:Semi- Structured interviews, principles and practice

Learning outcomes: Week 4• Know the difference between qualitative and

quantitative research strategies• Understand methodology and methods• Be able to relay the procedure of action

research• Know more about the strengths and

weaknesses of using action research in this research

• Design a mock action research project of your own with the framework of stages

What is a research methodology?

• The system of collecting data for research projects is known as research methodology.

• The data may be collected for either theoretical or practical research

• Some important factors in research methodology include validity of research data, Ethics and the reliability of measures

• A theoretical approach towards research and should inform the design, data collection and analysis of the results

Qualitative or Quantitative methodology?

Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Methodology

• The aim is a detailed description.• Researcher may only know roughly

in advance what he/she is looking for.

• The design emerges as the study unfolds.

• Researcher is the data gathering instrument.

• Data is in the form of words, pictures or objects.

• Subjective - individuals’ interpretation of events is important

• Qualitative data is more 'rich', time consuming, and not generalizable.

• Researcher tends to become subjectively immersed in the subject matter.

• The aim is to classify features, count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed.

• Researcher knows clearly in advance what he/she is looking for.

• All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.

• Researcher questionnaires or equipment to collect numerical data.

• Data is numerical in nature. • Objective – seeks measurement &

analysis of target concepts.• Quantitative data is more efficient,

able to test hypotheses.• Researcher tends to remain

separated from the subject matter.

Qualitative Research:Qualitative Research:Funnel ApproachFunnel Approach

General research questions

Collect data

Narrower research questions

Collect data

Narrower research questions

Conclusions

What is a research method?

“A research method is the tool used to collect the information we

need for the research”

3 Main methods in Qualitative 3 Main methods in Qualitative MethodologyMethodology

1. Interactive 1. Interactive interviewinginterviewing

People asked to verbally described their experiences of People asked to verbally described their experiences of phenomenon.phenomenon.

2. Written descriptions 2. Written descriptions by participantsby participants

People asked to write descriptions of  their experiences of People asked to write descriptions of  their experiences of phenomenon.phenomenon.

3. Observation3. Observation Descriptive observations of verbal and non-verbal behavior.Descriptive observations of verbal and non-verbal behavior.

Analysis begins when the data is first collected and is used to guide decisions related to Analysis begins when the data is first collected and is used to guide decisions related to further data collection.further data collection.

"In communicating--or generating--the data, the researcher must make the process of "In communicating--or generating--the data, the researcher must make the process of the study accessible and write descriptively so tacit knowledge may best be the study accessible and write descriptively so tacit knowledge may best be communicated through the use of rich, thick descriptions" (Myers, 2002).communicated through the use of rich, thick descriptions" (Myers, 2002).

Strengths of Qualitative ResearchStrengths of Qualitative Research

• aims to understand meaning aims to understand meaning

• interpretation in particular settings, interpretation in particular settings, situations and conditionssituations and conditions

• rigorous and systematic data collection rigorous and systematic data collection and analysis often concurrentlyand analysis often concurrently

• data rich in descriptionsdata rich in descriptions

• concepts derived from the data itselfconcepts derived from the data itself

Strengths of Qualitative ResearchStrengths of Qualitative Research

• aims to explore and communicateaims to explore and communicate

• hypothesis generation from datahypothesis generation from data

• need for a reflexive account ‘tell how need for a reflexive account ‘tell how the study was done’the study was done’

Challenges for Qualitative Challenges for Qualitative ResearchResearch

• small scalesmall scale

• non-representative samplesnon-representative samples

• biasbias

• access to samplesaccess to samples

• time consumingtime consuming

• record keepingrecord keeping

• data reductiondata reduction

Challenges for Qualitative Challenges for Qualitative ResearchResearch

• relationships between the researcher relationships between the researcher and the researchedand the researched

• subjectivitysubjectivity

• reliabilityreliability

• verificationverification

• difficulty in studying large populationsdifficulty in studying large populations

Using more than one method:Using more than one method:TriangulationTriangulation

• Method to enhance the validity & reliability Method to enhance the validity & reliability of qualitative researchof qualitative research

• Enhances accuracy of interpretationEnhances accuracy of interpretation• Confirms that the data collected is not due Confirms that the data collected is not due

to chance or circumstancesto chance or circumstances

CRBH Methodology & Methods

CRBH Research Strategy

Research Methodology:

Research Method:

Qualitative, Action Research

Semi-Structured Interviews (possible triangulation of methods?)

What is Action Research• Action research is a reflective process of

progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they address issues and solve problems. (Wikipedia)

Procedural Steps for AR

• 1. Identify a focal problem, issue or question• 2. Consult with others and locate resources• 3. Plan a strategy for data collection• 4. Collect data• 5. Analyse & interpret the data/report• 6. Develop an action plan• 7. Implement plan• 8. Reflect throughout process

Data Collection Techniques for AR

• Observation

• Interviews

• Questionnaires

• Standardised tests

• Journals

• Audio-video tapes

Data Analysis, Interpretation& Reporting

• Prepare and organise data

• Analyse it descriptively and inferentially (if

• appropriate)

• Software for quantitative and qualitative

• data

• Summarise and explain

• Present visually or graphically

Action Planning

• An action plan may be informally developed or alternatively may be quite structured employing an action planning template that specifies goals, performance targets, resources, strategies, time-lines etc.

Implementation

• Try out strategy

• Is the plan making a difference - why or why not?

• Consult original objectives or the research question you sought to answer

Reflection

• Reflect on what has been learned

• Look for validation for findings

• Share with others and disseminate

Some Lessons Learned and Tips

• Share proposed data gathering strategies and measures with colleagues

• Pilot questions & measures

• Keep a ‘reflective journal’

• Adjust implementation based on reflection

• Relate findings to scientific literature & practice

Potential Impact of Action Research

• Enhanced professional development

• Enhanced capacity to influence change

• Informed decision-making about effectiveness of instructional strategies and interventions

• Research efforts that go beyond explaining specific phenomena

• Research that enacts change• Research results that can be immediately

applied• Researchers as problem solvers

Why action research?

Task: Designing an Action Research Project

• Work in pairs to discuss and plan: How you would investigate educational underachievement of boys using an action research methodology.

• Use the AR diagram to help you

References & Resources

• Calhoun, E. F. (1994). How to use action research• in the self-renewing school.• Mills, G.E. (2000). Action research: A guide for• the teacher researcher.• Sagor, R. (1992). How to conduct collaborative• action research• Stringer, E. T. (1999). Action research (2nd• edition).• Action Research Links -• http://www.wnmu.org/gap/ar.html

Any Questions?