Setting up a Study Methodologies

Review Problem Statement Problem Originality Direction Significance Literature Review & Theoretical Framework Logical Structure Research Questions Population Sampling

Methods

Methodologies Specific systems/ tools/ approaches to gathering and analyzing data. Structure of the research Builds on and draws from previous sections: problem statement, research questions, literature review, theoretical framework Influences analysis How to choose an appropriate method?

Broad Categories Qualitative Words Descriptive Limited number of cases Focused Attempts to explain “why” Quantitative Numbers Facts Large samples Stringent conditions Attempts to explain “what” or “how”

Methodologies: Options Mixed Methods Both Quantitative and Qualitative Triangulation Collecting data from more than one source More than one method May be two methods of the same type

Methods: Options QuantitativeQualitativeMixed Predetermined Instrument-based questions Performance data, attitude data, observational data, and census data Statistical analysis Emerging Open-ended questions Interview data, observation data, document data, and audiovisual data Text and image analysis Predetermined and emerging Open- and close- ended questions Multiple forms of data Statistical and textual analysis -Creswell, J.W.

Methodologies: Options Quantitative Surveys Structured Interviews Questionnaires Examining documents Bibliometrics Transaction Log Analysis Qualitative Case Studies No Contact Examining Documents Citation Analysis Diaries One-to-one Unstructured Interviews Think-Aloud Ethnographic methods Observations Group Interaction Focus Groups Delphi Method Concept Mapping

Methodologies How do we approach/make sense of the world? What’s really “real” Paradigms Modern view There is an objective reality that is experienced subjectively by different people Postmodern view The only “reality” is what we construct through our experiences and perceptions