Summary Methodology
Chapter 1 – Introduction to methodology
Stappenplan scientific research:
1) Start with an interest in or question about phenomena, situations, or
behavior,
What will the research question be?
2) Find out what’s already known about the topic
Literature review
3) Provides its own attempt to describe or explain the
phenomenon/situation/behavior or tests and existing
description/explanation
Multiple ways of approaching a description/explanations
(“worldviews”/“epistemologies”)
4) May use various types of data to do so
Different types of research methods (usually tied to the choice of
worldview/epistemology)
Question: When should we believe an explanation/description?
• Only if the research is reliable
• Only if the research is valid
• Always provisionally (someone might come up with a better explanation)
Provisionally =
in a way that is true for the present time but could change
Epistemology =
Seeks to discover what is known and how it is known
What makes a good research topic?
- Original
- Contributes
- Compelling
Starting Points for Research:
o Research topics often originate from:
Knowledge Gaps: Unanswered questions or unresolved
debates in current literature.
Societal Needs: Addressing pressing issues, challenges, or
demands (e.g., healthcare, education, environment).
Personal Interest: Drawing from personal experiences,
curiosity, or beliefs.
Methodology or Guidance: Preferences for specific
methods (e.g., qualitative or quantitative) or suggestions from
advisors.
Key Questions Before Beginning:
o Is the research idea valid, ethical, and necessary?
o Does it align with societal priorities, potential profitability, or
fundability?
2. Characteristics of a Good Research Topic
, Originality: The topic should contribute new insights or perspectives to its
field.
Contribution: Adds to or enhances existing knowledge.
Compelling: Must capture interest and resonate with relevant audiences.
Feasibility: Practical to conduct within the time, resource, and expertise
constraints.
3. What makes a good Research Question
Key Features:
o Specificity: Questions should move from a broad theme to a
focused inquiry.
o Theoretical Connection: Should build on or challenge existing
theories and research.
o Grounded in research: Idea, hypothesis, or conclusion is
supported by evidence from prior studies or existing knowledge in
the field.
o No assumptions
o Scope: Strike a balance between being too narrow (restrictive) and
too broad (unmanageable).
o Clarity: Use simple, precise language that is easily understandable.
o Open-Ended: Encourage exploration, discussion, or explanation
rather than binary (yes/no) answers.
o Clarity
Examples:
o Starting with a general question like:
“How does communication affect patients’ experiences with
doctors?”
o Refining it to:
“How does empathetic language during cancer diagnosis
consultations influence patients' optimism about treatment?”
Practical Formats:
o "How does X influence Y?"
o "What factors shape Z?"
o "How do [group/population] perceive X?"
Adding Context:
o Include specific details such as the setting, population, or cultural
considerations (e.g., "...in rural communities" or "...for patients over
65").
4. Practical Tips for Research Development
Emphasize the importance of connecting your research question to:
o Real-world applications.
o Theoretical frameworks that provide structure and meaning.
Iterative refinement: Research questions are rarely perfect on the first
attempt. It’s essential to test, critique, and improve them continuously.
Chapter 2 – Foundations and starting points
1. Learning Goals
, Understand and define different worldviews (approaches to science and
research).
Distinguish between broad categories of methods (quantitative vs.
qualitative).
Identify starting points for research projects, including stakeholders and
existing knowledge.
Worldviews in Research
People approach research with different worldviews, which influence their
methods and focus. Recognizing your worldview helps refine your research
questions.
Worldview =
People have different takes on what the purpose should be for research, which
shapes their approaches.
Nomothetic =
Numbers and patterns.
o Hypothesis-based
o Systematic manipulation
o Clear causal relation
o Generalizable result
Example: Participants were instructed to write a letter to a friend, about choosing
the right destination for their holiday.
Idiographic =
Individual stories.
o Data-driven approach
o Real communicative setting
o Diverse set of observations
Example: Researcher joined a class of 6-year-olds for a month and watched the
children play, learn discuss etc.
Research Methods: Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative Methods:
o Translate traits and behaviors into numbers for analysis.
o Examples: Experiments, surveys, computational modeling.
Qualitative Methods:
o Explore human experiences through observation and discussion.
o Examples: Interviews, case studies, focus groups.
Nuanced Perspectives:
o Researchers can combine methods (triangulation) to address the
limitations of each approach.
o Greater awareness is growing regarding biases
, Deze dia legt uit dat onderzoek en wereldbeelden niet simpelweg in twee keuzes (binair)
kunnen worden ingedeeld. Daarnaast wordt het belang van triangulatie uitgelegd: het
combineren van verschillende onderzoeksmethoden om de beperkingen van één methode te
compenseren. Verder wijst het op een algemene ontwikkeling in onderzoek, waarbij er meer
aandacht is voor individuele en culturele verschillen en het aanpakken van vooroordelen,
zoals WEIRD biases (onderzoek dat te veel gericht is op Westerse, hoogopgeleide, rijke
bevolkingsgroepen). Het doel is om onderzoek inclusiever en vollediger te maken.
Induction and Deduction
Induction:
o Reasoning from specific observations to general theories.
o Example: Observing aggression in a child after playing violent video
games and hypothesizing that games cause aggression.
o Algemene conclusie op basis van:
Deduction:
o Reasoning from general theories to specific predictions.
o Example: If violent video games cause aggression, gamers are more
likely to commit
violent acts than
non-gamers.
o Used for
hypothesis testing.
5. Smart Starting Points for Research
Real-world examples relevant to your topic
Your personal experiences, assumptions, and biases about the topic.
Stakeholders and factors influencing the topic.
Existing research literature.
Clearly define your research purpose (e.g., exploration, prediction,
criticism).
*’How’ research questions are focused on relationships between some variables.
Chapter 3 – Hypotheses and variables
Learning Goals
Recognize roles of variables in study designs (e.g., dependent,
independent, moderating).
Be cautious about the third variable problem (correlation ≠ causation).
Theory Requirements:
o Broad applicability (covers broad area)
Chapter 1 – Introduction to methodology
Stappenplan scientific research:
1) Start with an interest in or question about phenomena, situations, or
behavior,
What will the research question be?
2) Find out what’s already known about the topic
Literature review
3) Provides its own attempt to describe or explain the
phenomenon/situation/behavior or tests and existing
description/explanation
Multiple ways of approaching a description/explanations
(“worldviews”/“epistemologies”)
4) May use various types of data to do so
Different types of research methods (usually tied to the choice of
worldview/epistemology)
Question: When should we believe an explanation/description?
• Only if the research is reliable
• Only if the research is valid
• Always provisionally (someone might come up with a better explanation)
Provisionally =
in a way that is true for the present time but could change
Epistemology =
Seeks to discover what is known and how it is known
What makes a good research topic?
- Original
- Contributes
- Compelling
Starting Points for Research:
o Research topics often originate from:
Knowledge Gaps: Unanswered questions or unresolved
debates in current literature.
Societal Needs: Addressing pressing issues, challenges, or
demands (e.g., healthcare, education, environment).
Personal Interest: Drawing from personal experiences,
curiosity, or beliefs.
Methodology or Guidance: Preferences for specific
methods (e.g., qualitative or quantitative) or suggestions from
advisors.
Key Questions Before Beginning:
o Is the research idea valid, ethical, and necessary?
o Does it align with societal priorities, potential profitability, or
fundability?
2. Characteristics of a Good Research Topic
, Originality: The topic should contribute new insights or perspectives to its
field.
Contribution: Adds to or enhances existing knowledge.
Compelling: Must capture interest and resonate with relevant audiences.
Feasibility: Practical to conduct within the time, resource, and expertise
constraints.
3. What makes a good Research Question
Key Features:
o Specificity: Questions should move from a broad theme to a
focused inquiry.
o Theoretical Connection: Should build on or challenge existing
theories and research.
o Grounded in research: Idea, hypothesis, or conclusion is
supported by evidence from prior studies or existing knowledge in
the field.
o No assumptions
o Scope: Strike a balance between being too narrow (restrictive) and
too broad (unmanageable).
o Clarity: Use simple, precise language that is easily understandable.
o Open-Ended: Encourage exploration, discussion, or explanation
rather than binary (yes/no) answers.
o Clarity
Examples:
o Starting with a general question like:
“How does communication affect patients’ experiences with
doctors?”
o Refining it to:
“How does empathetic language during cancer diagnosis
consultations influence patients' optimism about treatment?”
Practical Formats:
o "How does X influence Y?"
o "What factors shape Z?"
o "How do [group/population] perceive X?"
Adding Context:
o Include specific details such as the setting, population, or cultural
considerations (e.g., "...in rural communities" or "...for patients over
65").
4. Practical Tips for Research Development
Emphasize the importance of connecting your research question to:
o Real-world applications.
o Theoretical frameworks that provide structure and meaning.
Iterative refinement: Research questions are rarely perfect on the first
attempt. It’s essential to test, critique, and improve them continuously.
Chapter 2 – Foundations and starting points
1. Learning Goals
, Understand and define different worldviews (approaches to science and
research).
Distinguish between broad categories of methods (quantitative vs.
qualitative).
Identify starting points for research projects, including stakeholders and
existing knowledge.
Worldviews in Research
People approach research with different worldviews, which influence their
methods and focus. Recognizing your worldview helps refine your research
questions.
Worldview =
People have different takes on what the purpose should be for research, which
shapes their approaches.
Nomothetic =
Numbers and patterns.
o Hypothesis-based
o Systematic manipulation
o Clear causal relation
o Generalizable result
Example: Participants were instructed to write a letter to a friend, about choosing
the right destination for their holiday.
Idiographic =
Individual stories.
o Data-driven approach
o Real communicative setting
o Diverse set of observations
Example: Researcher joined a class of 6-year-olds for a month and watched the
children play, learn discuss etc.
Research Methods: Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative Methods:
o Translate traits and behaviors into numbers for analysis.
o Examples: Experiments, surveys, computational modeling.
Qualitative Methods:
o Explore human experiences through observation and discussion.
o Examples: Interviews, case studies, focus groups.
Nuanced Perspectives:
o Researchers can combine methods (triangulation) to address the
limitations of each approach.
o Greater awareness is growing regarding biases
, Deze dia legt uit dat onderzoek en wereldbeelden niet simpelweg in twee keuzes (binair)
kunnen worden ingedeeld. Daarnaast wordt het belang van triangulatie uitgelegd: het
combineren van verschillende onderzoeksmethoden om de beperkingen van één methode te
compenseren. Verder wijst het op een algemene ontwikkeling in onderzoek, waarbij er meer
aandacht is voor individuele en culturele verschillen en het aanpakken van vooroordelen,
zoals WEIRD biases (onderzoek dat te veel gericht is op Westerse, hoogopgeleide, rijke
bevolkingsgroepen). Het doel is om onderzoek inclusiever en vollediger te maken.
Induction and Deduction
Induction:
o Reasoning from specific observations to general theories.
o Example: Observing aggression in a child after playing violent video
games and hypothesizing that games cause aggression.
o Algemene conclusie op basis van:
Deduction:
o Reasoning from general theories to specific predictions.
o Example: If violent video games cause aggression, gamers are more
likely to commit
violent acts than
non-gamers.
o Used for
hypothesis testing.
5. Smart Starting Points for Research
Real-world examples relevant to your topic
Your personal experiences, assumptions, and biases about the topic.
Stakeholders and factors influencing the topic.
Existing research literature.
Clearly define your research purpose (e.g., exploration, prediction,
criticism).
*’How’ research questions are focused on relationships between some variables.
Chapter 3 – Hypotheses and variables
Learning Goals
Recognize roles of variables in study designs (e.g., dependent,
independent, moderating).
Be cautious about the third variable problem (correlation ≠ causation).
Theory Requirements:
o Broad applicability (covers broad area)
