Research designs and methods of data collection

By Debbie Harris, Contributor

THIS WEEK, I have chosen to focus on the various types of research and methods of data collection. In addition to the fact that this information is useful for the Expository section it is imperative for the external examination ­ Paper 01 Section 01. I suggest that you store this information.

As we have said before, research is a systematic and scientific way of finding out answers to serious questions that affect life. It is directed toward solving a problem. The ultimate goal is to discover cause and effect relationships. There are several ways that one can undertake research. Read the following carefully and discuss them with your friends.

RESEARCH DESIGNS
1. Experimental research

As the name suggests experimental research involves conducting an experiment to test a hypothesis. There are two types of experimental research designs: field and lab. Field experiments are usually done in organisations, while lab experiments are done under rigid conditions in a laboratory. Both types of research require two groups or two samples. One group is used as a control group, while the other is the experimental group. The experimental group is that part of the sample to which treatment is administered.

Suppose we wanted to determine whether a variety of teaching methods would improve performance in Communication Studies at the sixth form level. We would conduct an experiment in which we would use one group of sixth form students in a special programme and use a variety of methods on this group. Another group of sixth formers would be observed but they would not get any special treatment. At the end of the programme, we would compare the performance of both and draw our conclusions. In this case we would have tested our hypothesis. This means that we would have proved or disproved it.

2. Survey

This design is used to establish a cause and effect relationship or to gather quantitative data. In other words, you are trying to establish patterns of relationship between variables. For example, you want to find out the extent to which transportation affects punctuality at school or the extent to which socio-economic conditions affect absenteeism at Flower Valley High School. Your variables would be 'transportation' and 'punctuality' in the first example and 'socio-economic conditions' and 'absenteeism' in the second example. (You ought to be able to identify variables in your topics in a similar manner.)

Survey is also referred to as an investigation and is usually theoretical in nature. Unlike the experimental design, the researcher does not intervene in the organisation and observe the effects of the intervention. Information is usually collected on a number of variables and inferences are drawn about the extent to which both variables are correlated. Much of the research you will be required to do fall in this category. There are two types of surveys.

Social surveys seek to establish cause and effects of a social phenomenon, for example, the impact of cellular phones on students' relationship to their peers or the impact of chat rooms on the socialisation of teenagers.

Public Opinion surveys seek to find out what people think about a particular issue. For example, how do people feel about issuing condoms in high schools? How do Jamaicans feel about legalising ganja?

3. Qualitative research

The emphasis is on individuals' interpretation of their environment and of people's behaviour. This type of research cannot be quantified and is often referred to as social research. They are similar to case studies and require intense study of the behaviour and careful recording of information gathered. Qualitative research does not use any hypothesis and does not set out to prove anything, but to carefully examine and interpret behaviours. In qualitative research questions and problems most often come from real-world observations, dilemmas and questions. Discuss the examples below:

* Why is the teacher substitution programme working so well at Flower Valley High School but not at other schools?

* What are the various techniques used by trade union groups as they try to influence government policy?

* How do school-parent community relations affect the performance of students?

* How effective is capital punishment in deterring crime in Jamaica?

* How do students in grades 7 - 9 react to Mid-year Examinations at Flower Valley High School?

4. Case Studies

This involves the detailed examination of one, or a small number of cases. It is in fact a special type of qualitative research. It examines a social unit as a whole. The unit may be a person, a family, a social group, a social institution or a community. The purpose is to understand the life cycle or an important part of the life cycle of the unit. The case study probes deeply and analyses interactions between the factors that explain present status or, that influence change or growth. Discuss the examples below:

* A study of the life style of a drug don in East Kingston.
* A study on Louise Bennett-Coverley: The woman and her poetry.
* A study of the dance hall phenomenon in Jamaica.
* The Rastafarian movement and its contribution to music in Jamaica.

5. Action research

In action research, the researcher is involved in conjunction with members of the organisation in dealing with and solving a problem that arises at the organisation. The problem is identified and all participants set out to investigate the reasons for the problem and to arrive at solutions to the problem. Discuss the examples given below:

* An investigation into the causes of poor staff morale at Flower Valley High School.

* An investigation into the causes of the high level of staff turnover at Flower Valley High School.

* An investigation into the causes of high failure rate in Information Technology in rural high schools.

DATA COLLECTION METHODS
1. Questionnaires

These are a collection of questions that the respondents complete on their own. They are used when factual information is required. When opinions are required an opinionnaire is used. This is constructed in a similar manner as a questionnaire. A questionnaire is used with all research designs. There are approximately three ways in which a questionnaire can be administered:

* Personally
* Via the telephone
* Via the mail
* Via electronic mail

2. Interviews

These can either be structured or unstructured. They are a list of questions administered to the respondent face to face. The structured interviews comprise a set of precisely formulated questions, which are asked of a respondent. The unstructured interviews allow the respondent to respond to a stimulus question. It is very informal and allows for the respondent to speak for as long as he/she wants. These are used in qualitative research and case studies, but can be useful in surveys- especially social surveys.

3. Observation schedule

The researcher records observations in terms of a predetermined schedule. This is used in action research as well as case studies.

4. Attitude or Sentiment scales

These are used to measure attitudes, beliefs and opinions of a respondent. They can be used with all types of research, but more specifically with surveys and action research.

Let us see whether you can apply the appropriate type of research and data collection method(s). Here is a question. Read the information and answer the questions which follow.

Kishauna is conducting research into the kinds of television programmes students at her school prefer to watch.

(1). Name two sources from which Kishauna could gather background information on the research topic. (2 marks)

(2a). State two methods of data collection, other than a questionnaire, that Kishauna could use in this research. (2 marks)

(2b). Choose one method of data collection identified in (a) above, and discuss one strength and one weakness of this method. (4 marks)

(3). Name two sources from which Kishauna could collect data for her research. (2 marks)

Look out for the suggested answers next week. Until then, walk good!