Day+2+-+Research+methodology+and+methods

 =Research Methodology and Methods=


 * The aim of this session is for you to have an understanding of some of the major research methods and how you might apply them to your own research project. Part of the assignment brief is for you to discuss your choices, so it is important you have a good understanding and have read literature in this area**.

=Research Questions = 

**Activity**
= =
 * 1) On the **DISCUSSION** page - present your research question
 * 2) Work together to decide whether the question (and others’ questions) is researchable, and if not, help to amend the question to make it researchable
 * 3) Try to keep your comments a constructive as possible so they are able to be used to improve another person’s or your own research question.

Before you do this, consider this question: **“Which of your pens is the best?**” - is this a researchable question?

=Validity and reliability= 

Before choosing research methodology and procedures, it is important to consider the potential validity and reliability of the data you will gather


 * Reliability** - the extent to which a test or procedure produces similar results under constant conditions on all occasions (Bell, 2006)

//Issue - are we referring to the reliability of the data or the data collection method? //


 * Validity** - the design of research to provide credible conclusions (Sapsford and Jupe, 1996, cited in Bell, 2006)

//The relationship between a claim and the result of a data gathering process (Scaife, 2004) //  = =  ** Look back at your research question - is it researchable? Will you be able to gather sufficient data to draw valid and reliable conclusions? If not, you need to narrow your question further - remember this is a small-scale study. **

=Making Statements=  Which statements would you regard as unproblematic?


 * //Girls tend to do better than boys in school //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Being illiterate is a disadvantage in industrialised countries //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Smaller classes result in better educational experiences //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Problem-based learning is a valuable educational approach //

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Again, consider this when deciding upon your research methods - are you being specific enough?

=Research methodologies= <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

There are two approaches to investigations in educational research: **qualitative** (using words) and **quantitative** (using numbers)

Examples of qualitative methodologies include:

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">action research (discussed in What is Research?) //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">case study research //

Examples of quantitative methodologies include:

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">laboratory experiments; //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">numerical methods such as mathematical modelling //

= = =Case Study (methodology)= =<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> =

Different to action research - normally investigating someone else’s situation <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Normally entirely qualitative (e.g. interview, questionnaire, narrative) but number can be significant (e.g. a number of teachers supported the measure)

Intended to provide findings which are useful to practitioners (Hayes, 2006)

Can be used as:

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> (Hayes, 2006) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">An intensive investigation of single situations which serve to identify and describe basic phenomena //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Focusing on individuals' perceptions of given educational phenomena, carried out largely by means of interviews //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A study which is almost entirely qualitative in methodology and presentation //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As a type of ethnographic research (taking place in a defined cultural setting) incorporating participant observation, qualitative observation and field study //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * Usefulness …**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Case studies communicate directly with the implementers and initiators of education
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They relate clearly to daily experience and have a 'human face'.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They enable well informed reflection to focus on single issues, events and circumstances
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They allow for entering the experience of others but with the privilege of then standing back and evaluating
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They allow for affirmation of beliefs, modification of some and rejection of others
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They concentrate attention on the way that particular groups of people confront situations and problems
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They offer the opportunity for the researcher to broker diverse viewpoints.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They are often problem-centred, small scale, entrepreneurial enterprises.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They allow immediate accumulation of data on the basis of ideas formulated earlier but with the opportunity to reconceptualise the situation as data emerges
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They are valid in connecting with their reader's own experiences and representing those experiences through reference to specific cases

= Which methodology?<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> = <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

Go back to your research question

Are you choosing a case study approach or an action research approach?

This is your **methodology** and must be discussed in the appropriate section of your project report. Try to find literature which you can discuss to support your choice.

=Research methods/procedures= <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

Research method is the procedure used to carry out the research, e.g.:

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Questionnaires //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Interviews //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Observation //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrative //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Document scrutiny //

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">**Questionnaire**
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">When would you use questionnaires? What would you be trying to find out? Raises questions:


 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Who do I give questionnaires to? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">How many? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Generalisations? (e.g. 50% agreed …) //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What questions do I ask? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Closed or open ended? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What type of language do I use? (intended audience) //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Layout? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Likert scale? (quantitative) //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ethics //

[|RESINED - Questionnaires] <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">


 * Interview**

When would you use interview? What would you be trying to find out? Raises questions:

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|RESINED - Interviews]
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Who do I interview? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Why not use questionnaire instead? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What questions do I ask? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Open or closed? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">How to avoid leading questions or suggesting outcomes? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Structured or unstructured? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Time allocation? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Individual or group interviews? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ethics //


 * Narrative**

When would you use narrative? What would you be trying to find out? <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Raises questions:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">“These methods [narrative and autobiography] focus on participants’ own narratives can lead to an improved understanding of the complex and interrelated processes of personal experiences, attitudes and practices” (Avramidis and Norwich, 2002, cited in Sikes et al, 2006)


 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Why not use interview or questionnaire? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ethics //

[|RESINED - Narrative]<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">


 * Observation**

When would you use observation? What would you be trying to find out? Raises questions:

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|RESINED - Observation techniques]
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Who will I observe? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Individual or group? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Observation method: field notes or structured observation method? (time sampling, event sampling, ABC, etc) //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ethics //

= <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Activity =


 * Read the article** [[file:inclusion lessons from children.pdf]]

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What research approach(es) were used?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What research method(s) were used?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What rationale did the author give for the choice of method(s)?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Comment on the reliability and validity of methods chosen

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">[|Teachers' TV - Research in the Classroom]
=<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> = =<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> = <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**Laptops for learning** Teacher Sabine Stroud makes a video about the experiment and follows the pupils both in the classroom and at home to see how they are being used. = = <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * Year 7 Pupils at the The Arnewood School, in Hampshire school have been given laptops since September 2007 for a long-term project to evaluate the impact on their learning and motivation.**