Research methodology: A step-by step guide beginners /
Ranjit Kumar
- 4th ed.
- Los Angeles : Sage , 2014 p.
- 399 p.
1 Research: a way of thinking Research: a way of thinking Research: an integral part of your professional practice Research: a way to gather evidence for your practice Applications of research in practice development and policy formulation Research: what does it mean? The research process: characteristics and requirements Types of research Application perspective Objectives perspective Mode of enquiry perspective The mixed/multiple methods approach Introduction Defining the approach Rationale underpinmng the approach When to use the approach Ways of mixing methods Advantages and disadvantages Considerations to be kept in mind Situations in which the approach can be used Paradigms of research Summary 2 The research process: a quick glance The research process: an eight-step model A: Deciding what to research Step I; Formulating a research problem B: Planning how to conduct the study Step II: Conceptualising a research design Step III: Constructing an instrument for data collection Step IV: Selecting a sample Step V: Writing a research proposal C: Conducting a research study Step VI: Collecting data Step VII: Processing and displaying data ^ Step VIII: Writing a research report Summary STEP I FORMULATING A RESEARCH PROBLEM ^ Reviewing the Uterature The place of the literature review in research Bringing clarity and focvis to your research problem Improving your research methodology Broadening your knowledge base in your research area ContextuaUsing your findings Difference between a literature review and a summary of the literature How to review the Uterature Searching for the existing Uterature Reviewing the selected Uterature Developing a theoretical framework Developing a conceptual framework Writing about the Uterature reviewed Summary 4 Formulating a research problem The research problem The importance of formulating a research problem Sources of research problems Considerations in selecting a research problem Steps in formulating a research problem The formulation of research objectives The study population EstabUshing operational definitions Formulating a research problem in quaUtative research Summary CONTENTS 5 Identifying variables What is a variable? The difference between a concept and a variable Converting concepts into variables Types of variable From the viewpoint of causal relationship From the viewpoint of the study design From the viewpoint of the unit of measurement Types of measurement scale The nominal or classificatory scale The ordinal or ranking scale The interval scale The ratio scale Summary 6 Constructing hypotheses The definition of a hypothesis The functions of a hj^othesis The testing of a hypothesis The characteristics of a hypothesis Types of hypothesis Errors in testing a hypothesis Hypotheses in qualitative research Summaiy Developing a research project: a set of exercises for beginners Exercise 1: Formulation of a research problem STEP 11 CONCEPTUALISING A RESEARCH DESIGN 7 The research design What is a research design? The functions of a research design The theory of causality and the research design Summary 8 Selecting a study design Differences between quantitative and qualitative study designs Study designs in quantitative research Study designs based on the munber of contacts Study designs based on the reference period Study designs based on the nature of the investigation Other designs commonly used in quantitative research Study designs in qualitative research Case study Oral history ^ Focus groups/group interviews Participant observation Holistic research Community discussion forums Reflective journal log Other commonly used philosophy-guided designs Action research Feminist research Participatory research and collaborative enquiry Summary Exercise II: Conceptualising a study design STEP III CONSTRUCTING AN INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION 9 Selecting a method of data collection Differences in the methods of data collection in quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research Major approaches to information gathering Collecting data using primary sources Observation The interview The questionnaire Constructing a research instrument in quantitative research Asking personal and sensitive questions The order of questions Pre-testing a research instrument Prerequisites for data collection Methods of data collection in qualitative research Unstructured interviews Observation Secondary sources Constructing a research instrument in quahtative research Collecting data using secondary sources Problems with data from secondary sources Summary CONTENTS 10 Collecting data using attitudinal scales Measurement of attitudes in quantitative and qualitative research Attitudinal scales in quantitative research Functions of attitudinal scales Difficulties in developing an attitudinal scale Types of attitudinal scale The summated rating or Likert scale The equal-appearing interval or Thurstone scale The cumulative or Guttman scale Attitudinal scales and measurement scales Attitudes and qualitative research Summary 11 EstabUshing the validity and reliability of a research instrument The concept of vaUdity Types of vaUdity in quantitative researc Face and content validity Concurrent and predictive vaUdity Construct vaUdity The concept of reUabiUty Pactore affecting the reUabiUty of a research imtmment Methods of determining the rehabihty of an instrument in quantitative research External consistency proce ures Internal consistency procedures Validity and reliabUity in quaUtative research Summary Exercise III: DeveloptaS ^ STEP IV selecting A SAMEEE 12 Selecting a sample , a_rreen sampling in quantitative and quaUtative The differences betw research Sailing in quanti^™^^ The concept ot research Sampling termuml"®' ^ Principles of sampling Factors affecting the inferences drawn from a sample Aims in selecting a sample Types of sampling The calculation of sample size Sampling in qualitative research Tlie concept of saturation point in qualitative research Summary Exercising IV: Selecting a sample STEP V WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL 13 Writing a research proposal The research proposal in quantitative and qualitative research Contents of a research proposal Preamble/introduction 'The research problem Objectives of the study Hypotheses to be tested Study design The setting Measurement procedures Ethical issues • Sampling Analysis of data Structure of the report Problems and limitations Appendix Work schedule Budget Summary Exercise V: Writing a research proposal STEP VI COLLECTING DATA 14 Considering ethical issues in data collection Ethics: the concept Stakeholders in research Ethical issues to consider concerning research participants Collecting information Seeking informed consent Providing incentives Seeking sensitive information The possibility of causing harm to participants Maintaining confidentiahty Ethical issues to consider relating to the researcher Avoiding bias Provision or deprivation of a treatment Using inappropriate research methodology Incorrect reporting Inappropriate use of information Ethical issues regarding the sponsoring organisation Restrictions imposed by the sponsoripg organisation The misuse of information Ethical issues in collecting data from secondary sources Summary STEP VII PROCESSING AND DISPLAYING DATA 15 Processing data Data processing in quantitative studies Editing Coding Developing a frame of analysis Analysing quantitative data manually Data processing in qualitative stuies Content analysis in qualitative research - an example Data analysis in mixed methods studies The role of statistics and computers in research Summary 16 Displaying data Methods of communicating and displaying analysed data Text Tables Graphs Statistical Measiu-es Summary CONT STEP VIII WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT 17 Writing a research report Writing a research report Developing a draft outline Writing about variables Referencing Writing a bibliography Summary