Research methods

• What does G.R.O.V.E.R stand for

  Generalisability

  Representative

  Objectivity

  Validity

  Ethics

  Reliability
• Define Generalisability

  If a resource is representative it can be generalised to view a whole population
• Define Representative

  The representation of diversity within the group based on the target population.
• Define Objectivity

  The whole uninfluenced research data (not biased by a researcher)
• Define Validity

  The true answers to a question
• Define Ethics

  Unbiased, true, representative information which is retrieved ethically
• Define Reliability

  Repeatability of a research method’s data
• Definition of observations

  watching a group of people in their natural social setting and observing how they behave in their everyday activities
• Definition of overt observations

  open about their identity as a researcher
• Definition of covert observations

  secretive and hides identity as a researcher
• Define Participant observations

  researcher joins behaviours of those being studied
• Define Non-participant observations

  sit back and observe what the group does without getting involved in their behaviours
• Definition of interviews

  asking participants questions and recording their answers in some way
• Define structured Interviews

  interviews with a set, planned list of questions
• Define an unstructured interview

  an interview with no planned questions but surrounds a set theme (go with the flow)
• Define a semi-structured interview

  an interview with some planned questions but allows room to expand on answers and probe into topics discussed
• Define a Focus group

  Conversational interviews within a group setting to discuss and debate different ideas
• Definition of questionnaires

  a set list of questions on a topic that can be completed independently
• Define open questions

  a question that does not restrict the possible range of answers and allows detailed responses
• Define closed questions

  a question with a determined range of possible answers
• Definition of surveys

  questionnaires based on a snapshot of time
• Define longitudinal research

  data that is retrieved over a long period of time to measure changes over the period
• Define a longitudinal panel study

  sample surveyed on two or more occasions
• Define a longitudinal cohort study

  a sample containing similar characteristics or experiences to draw comparisons ]
• Definition of multiple methods

  two or more research methods to back up results to gain a fuller understanding of a topic
• Define Triangulation

  multiple methods used to check the validity of the research through similar or conflicting results
• Define Methodological pluralism

  multiple methods used to build a fuller picture of a topic
• Define secondary data

  already existing data that can be qualitative or quantitative and was not collected by the researcher
• Define historical secondary data

  provides unattainable primary data to make comparisons over time
• Define personal/life secondary data

  personally written documents that provide a greater insight into certain situations e.g. diaries
• Define media secondary data

  talks about foreign/political issues but is often biased
• Define Official Statistic Secondary data

  available on a wide range of subjects and is often valid and time saving
• Definition of sampling

  small proportion of a target population to be studied aiming to be representative in order to generalise results
• Define random sampling

  using a sampling frame, e.g. a list of names, to randomly select participants
• Define Systematic sampling

  sampling using a sample frame in a pattern using nth term e.g. every 4th person
• Define Stratified sampling

  target population divided into subgroups and selected based on the subgroups representation of the population
• Define Opportunity sampling

  using respondents who are easily available to the researcher e.g. students in a classroom
• Define Snowball sampling

  Using an initial contact to invite more people into the research
• Define Quota sampling

  sample based on those who fit a certain demographic being stopped on the street and interviewed
• What are the Practical Issues?

  Time

  Research Opportunities

  Access to participants

  Money

  Personal Characteristics