Understanding Research Methodology Essentials

Sep 17, 2024

Research Methodology Overview

Introduction

  • Presentation hosted by Derek with guest Karen Warren.
  • Aim: To demystify research methodology and answer common questions.
    • What is research methodology?
    • Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.
    • Sampling, data collection, and data analysis options.
    • Choosing the right research methodology.

What is Research Methodology?

  • Simplified explanation:
    • Considered the "how" chapter of a research project.
    • Follows the introduction and literature review chapters.
  • Purpose:
    • Describes how the research is conducted.
    • Includes:
      • What data was collected.
      • Sources of the data.
      • How data was collected (methods).
      • How data was analyzed.
  • Important for clarity:
    • Readers should be able to replicate the research.
    • Justification of chosen methods is crucial.

Types of Research Approaches

  • Qualitative: Focuses on words, ideas, and understanding.
  • Quantitative: Focuses on numbers and measurable data.
  • Mixed Methods: Combination of both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
  • Importance of defining approach:
    • Aligns with the research question and objectives.

Sampling

  • Population: All possible subjects relevant to the research area.
  • Sample: A smaller, manageable portion of the population.
  • Types of sampling:
    • Probability Sampling: Random sampling to ensure representativeness.
    • Non-Probability Sampling: Based on convenience; less generalizable.
  • Importance of acknowledging sampling limitations.

Data Collection Methods

  • Common methods include:
    • Interviews: Deep insights from individuals.
    • Focus Groups: Group discussions for idea generation.
    • Surveys: Gathering data through questionnaires.
    • Observations: Recording behaviors in specific contexts.
  • Data collection methods should align with the research question and objectives.

Data Analysis

  • Qualitative Data Analysis:
    • Content Analysis: Identifying themes from qualitative data.
    • Discourse Analysis: Understanding interactions and discussions.
    • Narrative Analysis: Exploring storytelling aspects of data.
  • Quantitative Data Analysis:
    • Descriptive Statistics: Summarizing and describing data.
    • Inferential Statistics: Testing hypotheses and drawing inferences.

Choosing the Right Research Methodology

  • Start with understanding the research question:
    • Is it exploratory or confirmatory?
  • Exploratory approach typically leads to qualitative methods.
  • Confirmatory approach typically leads to quantitative methods.
  • Consider practicalities: access to subjects, time, resources, instruments.

Conclusion

  • Recap of key points:
    • Understanding research methodology is essential for conducting valid research.
    • Choose methods that align with your research objectives.
    • Don’t overlook the importance of justification for your choices.