4.1.5 Methodology Design

• Research methodology refers to the overall approach and rationale behind a research study
• Qualitative research emphasizes in-depth, contextual understanding through methods like interviews
• Match the research methodology with its example:

  Quantitative ↔️ Survey on air pollution

  Qualitative ↔️ Interview on urban green spaces

  Mixed Methods ↔️ Survey and focus group on climate change
• Qualitative research emphasizes understanding phenomena through methods like case studies
• Qualitative research often involves numerical data analysis.

  False
• Research questions should be clear and focused to address a specific issue.


  True
• Research questions should be easily understandable without ambiguity.


  True
• Research questions should address a specific issue or relationship
• What does research methodology encompass?

  Theoretical and philosophical assumptions
• Qualitative research uses interviews and observations to understand phenomena in depth.

  True
• Steps to evaluate research questions

  1️⃣ Is the question clear and specific?

  2️⃣ Does it address a focused topic?

  3️⃣ Is it relevant to current geographical issues?

  4️⃣ Can it be answered within the available resources?
• A research question should address a broad and unfocused topic.

  False
• Steps in designing the methodology for an independent investigation

  1️⃣ Select data collection techniques

  2️⃣ Design sampling strategies

  3️⃣ Develop data analysis plans

  4️⃣ Create timelines and budgets

  5️⃣ Assess ethical considerations
• Data collection techniques should align with the research questions.


  True
• Observations involve systematically recording phenomena through field notes and visual data
• Sampling strategies aim to select a representative sample of the population.
• Purposive sampling ensures every subgroup is equally represented.

  False
• Name two statistical techniques used in quantitative data analysis.

  Regression and correlation
• What is the primary goal of aligning a data analysis plan with the research methodology?

  Ensuring valid and reliable findings
• What is informed consent in ethical research?

  Ensuring participants understand the research
• Why is it important to identify researcher bias in ethical research?

  To ensure study objectivity
• What type of research methodology focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis?

  Quantitative
• What determines the choice of research methodology in a study?

  Nature of the research
• What is the primary tool used in quantitative research for testing hypotheses?

  Statistical analysis
• Research questions guide the study and help focus data collection and analysis
• What are research questions designed to focus in a study?

  Data collection and analysis
• What is an example of a research question with clarity?

  How does climate change impact coral reefs?
• Match the data collection technique with its description:

  Surveys ↔️ Gather quantitative data through structured questionnaires.

  Interviews ↔️ Collect in-depth qualitative data through open-ended discussions.

  Observations ↔️ Systematically record phenomena through field notes.

  Secondary Data ↔️ Analyze existing datasets, reports, and information.
• What type of data does quantitative research focus on?

  Numerical data
• What are key factors to consider when identifying research methods?

  Nature of the research problem
• What is the first step in evaluating research questions for an investigation?

  Is the question clear
• What is the final consideration when evaluating research questions?

  Can it be answered within resources
• Name two common data collection techniques in geography.

  Surveys and interviews
• What type of data do interviews collect?

  Qualitative data
• What factors should be considered when selecting data collection techniques?

  Research objectives and resources
• Stratified sampling divides the population into subgroups called strata
• Quantitative data analysis often uses statistical methods
• Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative analysis.


  True
• Budgets help identify potential financial constraints in research.


  True
• Minimizing harm ensures research does not cause psychological or social distress.


  True