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
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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.
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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
3. Observation
People asked to verbally described their experiences of
phenomenon.
People asked to write descriptions of their experiences of
phenomenon.
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
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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:
Research Method:
Qualitative, Action Research
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
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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
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Observation
Interviews
Questionnaires
Standardised tests
Journals
Audio-video tapes
Data Analysis, Interpretation
& Reporting
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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
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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
Any Questions?