Transcript Week 4 Presentation - WEA West Midlands Region
Week 4 – Research Methodology and Methods Iram Naz (Project Manager)
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:
Funnel 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 Methodology
1. Interactive interviewing 2. Written descriptions by participants
People asked to verbally described their experiences of phenomenon.
People asked to write descriptions of their experiences of phenomenon.
3. Observation
Descriptive observations of verbal and non-verbal behavior.
Analysis begins when the data is first collected and is used to guide decisions related to further data collection.
"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 communicated through the use of rich, thick descriptions" (Myers, 2002).
Strengths of Qualitative Research
• •
aims to understand meaning
• •
interpretation in particular settings, situations and conditions
•
rigorous and systematic data collection and analysis often concurrently data rich in descriptions concepts derived from the data itself
Strengths of Qualitative Research
• • •
aims to explore and communicate hypothesis generation from data need for a reflexive account ‘tell how the study was done’
Challenges for Qualitative Research
• • • • • • •
small scale non-representative samples bias access to samples time consuming record keeping data reduction
Challenges for Qualitative Research
• • • • •
relationships between the researcher and the researched subjectivity reliability verification difficulty in studying large populations
Using more than one method:
Triangulation
• • •
Method to enhance the validity & reliability of qualitative research Enhances accuracy of interpretation Confirms that the data collected is not due to chance or circumstances
CRBH Methodology & Methods
CRBH Research Strategy
Research Methodology:
Qualitative, Action Research
Research Method:
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)
Review and Share Develop Action Plan Identify Focus Analyse Data Develop Plan Collect Data
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
Why action research?
• Research efforts that go beyond explaining specific phenomena • Research that enacts change • Research results that can be immediately applied • Researchers as problem solvers
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