HMPYC80 Research Methodology (2022 - Semester 1 - Assignment 1)

HMPYC80 – Research Methodology 2022 – Semester 1 – Assignment 1 Question #1: How researchers see social reality is rooted in basic ontological perceptions. For example, interpretivism states that ... a) there is an external reality that can be studied objectively and free of values. The ability to know things as they really are is possible if specific, controlled methods are employed because pursuing these methods will place a necessary check on subjectivity and restrain personal judgement and emotions. b) social reality should be viewed and interpreted by the individual according to their ideological position. The “knower” and “known” are interdependent and the social sciences are essentially subjective. Reality is seen as multi-layered and complex; and any single phenomenon will have multiple interpretations. c) knowledge and its provisional truths are best understood through a complex interplay between objective and subjective (or interpretivist) ways of knowing. As such, knowledge is viewed and experienced as truly multifaceted and ever-changing. This represents a middle path that synthesises the benefits offered by the single-approach methods associated with the positivist and constructivist paradigms. d) knowledge, reality and our existence as human beings evoke questions about who we are, what we know and how we experience the world around us. Question #2 Which one of the following does NOT apply to epistemological frameworks? a) Positivists purport that the methods and procedures of the natural sciences are entirely appropriate to the social sciences. This is informed by the ontological position of objectivism: that reality is out there to be studied, captured and understood. Research therefore needs to be conducted from a detached, neutral, value-free and non-interactive position. Researchers therefore only need to follow a systematic, prescribed series of steps to gather and analyse data. b) Post-positivists argue that reality can never really be fully understood, only approximated, and therefore relies on multiple methods to capture as much of reality as possible. As with positivism, it places an emphasis on the discovery and verification of theories, but holds the notion that a variety of variables cannot always be controlled, and that positivist research is often difficult and impractical for many forms of social science research. c) Constructivists see reality as the result of a series of constructive processes and hold that only a narrative truth exists. As such, reality can only be known by those who experience it personally. Constructivists have a “humanistic and social justice commitment to study the social world from the perspective of the interacting individual” (Denzin, 2017, p. 10). d) Axiology is the science of human values that enables us to identify the internal valuing systems that influence our perceptions, decisions, and actions to clearly understand why we do what we do. Question #3: Based on their own worldviews, the researchers initially adopt a particular stance towards "the nature of knowledge", in other words: ___ or ___, that will implicitly guide their approach to the research, methodology and, in turn, their choice of data collection methods and techniques for analysis. a) objectivism or interpretivism. b) positivism or constructivism. c) quantitative or qualitative knowledge. d) experimental or grounded theory. 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Directly submitting and/or reselling/distribution/reproduction any part of this document is not permitted.   Question #4: Which one of the following does NOT encompass the decolonisation of research and science? a) The decolonisation of research is defined by Chilisa (2012, p. 14) as a process of conducting research in such a way that the worldviews of those who have suffered a long history of oppression and marginalisation are enabled, using their frames of reference. b) Decolonising research methodologies challenges Eurocentric research methods that undermine the experiences of marginalised population groups and their local knowledge. c) Smith (1999), Chilisa (2012, p. 17) and Ndlovu-Gatsheni (2018, p. 32) argue that the decolonisation process in research is about deconstruction and reconstruction. d) The only relevant and valid approach to psychological research is via the Eurocentric worldview. Question #5: Select the MOST CORRECT answer. The promotion of indigenous knowledges faces several challenges, namely that ___. a) indigenous knowledges reside in older generations and are being eroded by the impact of urbanisation and globalisation, whereby younger generations are not learning from their elders. b) the lack of codification in indigenous oral traditions currently limits these as being inferior to Western scientific knowledge. c) the loss and devaluation of these indigenous knowledges have resulted in an inundation of Western values and culture through mass media, such as television and the internet, capturing the minds of the youth in such a way that they look on their own cultures, rituals and traditions as inferior, old-fashioned or even barbaric. d) All of the above options are correct. Question #6: A framework for conducting indigenised research (as depicted in Figure 2.1 of the textbook) is founded on four core pillars. The pillar of "researching back" involves ----- a) locating research within an Africanism knowledge space and paradigm. b) transformation, correction, and redress. c) the process of the researcher of having to learn and unlearn. d) using local perspectives, local voices, and local knowledge. Question #7: The following is a key characteristic of quantitative research: a) Researchers isolate the variables they want to study, control for extraneous variables, use a standardised procedure to collect some form of numerical data, and use statistical procedures to analyse and draw conclusions from the data. b) This approach is used to answer questions about the complex nature of phenomena, with the purpose of describing and understanding the phenomena from the participants’ point of view. The researcher therefore seeks a better understanding of complex situations. The work is often exploratory in nature, and observations may be used to build theory from the ground up. c) Researchers work on the assumption that reality is not easily divided into discrete, measurable variables. The researcher may deem themselves to be the research instrument because the bulk of their data collection depends on their personal involvement in the setting. Both verbal and non-verbal data can be collected, and this is usually drawn from a relatively small number of participants. d) Researchers make considerable use of inductive reasoning (moving from the particular to the general). They make many specific observations and then draw inferences about larger and more general phenomena. After they have identified a theme, researchers often move into a deductive mode to verify or modify the theme with additional data. Question #8: Qualitative research is defined as follows: a) This research is used to answer questions about relationships among measured variables with the purpose of explaining, predicting, and controlling phenomena. The intent is to establish, confirm or validate relationships and to develop generalisations. b) The research process is more holistic and “emergent”, with the specific focus, design, data collection methods and interpretations developing and possibly changing along the way. Researchers enter the setting with open minds, prepared to immerse themselves in the complexity of the situation and interact with their participants. Categories or variables emerge from the data and lead to “context-bound” information, patterns and theories that explain the phenomenon under study. Data analysis is therefore more subjective in nature. c) This research is conducted using structured guidelines. Concepts, variables, hypotheses, and methods of measurement tend to be defined before the study begins and remain the same throughout. Researchers choose methods that allow them to objectively measure the variables of interest and they also try to remain detached from the research participants so that they can draw unbiased conclusions. d) In this approach the researcher wants to quantify the variation in a phenomenon, situation, problem, or issue. Information is gathered using predominantly quantitative variables, and the analysis is geared to ascertain the magnitude of the variation. Question #9: The qualitative approach in social science research (see Table 3.1 of the textbook) ... a) has its epistemological roots in positivism. b) uses mostly deductive logic. c) follows a fixed the research design procedure and can be replicated. d) uses participants’ language to report results and these appear mostly in words and/or images. Question #10: Basic or pure research ... a) is initially formulated in terms that are rather vague and imprecise; and needs to be narrowed down to specific issues for which empirical data can be gathered. b) is a frustrating and time-consuming activity of selecting, defining, and refining a research topic. c) is concerned with producing knowledge for understanding, or "knowledge for the sake of knowledge", and aims to extend the knowledge base of the discipline. d) is concerned with applied or policy-orientated research that produces knowledge for action. Question 11: Which one of the following statements about research is INCORRECT? a) The main purpose of research is to prove cause-effect relationships. b) There are three factors that underpin the process of formulating a research question or problem statement, namely: (i) a decision about the purpose of the research, (ii) existing literature, and (iii) the unit of analysis. c) The relevant literature must be consulted to establish a defensible rationale for the study and the chosen research approach, and to highlight relevant knowledge gaps that merit investigation. At the same time, it confirms how the phenomenon has been researched to date to enable sensitivity to conceptual and methodological pitfalls. d) As the research question typically deals with information needed to solve practice problems, the terms "research question" and "research problem" are often used interchangeably, with the former being framed as a question and the latter as a statement. Question 12: The research "unit of analysis" is NOT ... a) applicable to qualitative research only. b) regarded as the “specific objects or elements whose characteristics we wish to describe or explain and about which we will collect data” (Monette et al., 2014, p. 85). c) related to “the element about which data are collected and inferences made” but this differs from “the source from which data are collected” (Monette et al., 2014, p. 85). d) commonly made up of individuals, groups, organisations, social programmes, or social artefacts. Question 13: A research proposal is NOT a document that ... a) is written after the research project begins and therefore is usually written in the past tense as it sets out the entire design and methodological decisions for a completed study. b) outlines how the researcher proposes to undertake a research project. It provides an overall plan designed to obtain answers to the research questions or problems that constitute the research project. c) lays out the problem for research, describes exactly how the research will be conducted, and outlines in precise detail the resources (factual and instrumental) that the researcher will use to achieve the desired results. It is intended to convince the reader (i.e., supervisor, evaluation committee, reviewers of grant applications) that you have clarity on the what, why and how of the planned research project, and that it holds potential significance and relevance. d) provides a blueprint for action in that it helps to clarify your thinking and shape your plans. It ensures that the different parts of the intended study fit together, and shows how the research will inform sound scientific inquiry. In so doing, it should answer the question of why specific methodologies have been chosen for the proposed study. Question 14: The introduction or contextualisation of the study ... a) consists of the focus of the proposed study; the research question or hypothesis; a synopsis of the research methodology; and the significance of the proposed study. b) covers a comprehensive review of relevant literature. c) is structured like a trumpet -- it starts with specifics and then moves to more broad aspects of the study. This represents a progression from specific issues to more general issues. d) provides a broad overview of the topic. In other words, the reader should get a clear understanding of the topic or focus of the proposed study. It includes the problem or gap in knowledge that the study will focus on, the significance or importance of the proposed study, the specific focus or topic of the study and its purpose. Question 15: In general, the review of relevant literature should NOT involve ... a) a historical background of the topic and the philosophical issues surrounding the study of the topic. b) an overview of current trends in studying the topic. c) a mere description or summary of previous research on the topic. d) an overview of previous studies on the topic (where, when, with whom and how) to develop an argument for the way the study will add to, be different from, or complement current knowledge. Question 16: The research literature review does NOT incorporate the following: a) Research is about growing knowledge and is also about growing a knowledgeable person. b) The production of a literature review can be seen as a once-off procedure that is completed quickly, without further reference to new publications, or to any changed and matured perspectives by the researcher. c) Any research project should be anchored and grounded in existing literature, as this ensures its relevance and standing in your chosen discipline’s body of knowledge. A literature review also prevents the selection of an irrelevant or outdated topic or focus by investigating what has already been done in the field of study. d) "Literature" refers to that collection of credible materials that anchors the topic of research into an existing body of knowledge. The term "literature search" refers to the process of identifying, selecting and scrutinising suitable literature for your study, while the "literature review" itself refers to a critical evaluation and critique of the relevant material. Question 17: A literature study in quantitative research is/does NOT ... a) usually have human beings as its primary subject of study, and this implies that most research studies rely on observations (O) of people in their context. People (P) are observed in relation to events (or variables) that are outside themselves but have an effect on them. These variables are considered to be independent and may be singular (X) or multiple (Xs). b) have an underlying framework and theoretical foundation that is less rigid and more emergent, using iterative inductive cycles, as it develops throughout the course of the research study. c) have independent variables (Xs) that are identified early on in a research project, sometimes as early as during the contextualisation of the research and the identification of the research problem. The definition of X reflects the research problem, appears in the aim of the study and determines what measures will be used for data collection. d) used for defining and operationalising key concepts in the study, and to unpack these into observable indicators. Once observable indicators have been identified, suitable measures reflecting these key concepts should be identified or designed. Question 18: Which one of the following statements does NOT apply to literature reviews? a) It is important to store full details of all sources so that citations and the eventual composition of the reference list or bibliography can be performed quickly and accurately. Software applications such as RefWorks, Zotero, EndNote and Mendeley can be very helpful to create a database of references and to format the bibliographies or references list. b) It is difficult to know when you have completed the literature review. Rubin and Babbie (2014) suggest that you have probably reviewed enough literature when you find that you are already familiar with the references cited in the most recently published articles. c) Informational websites and popular magazine articles are a reputable source of scientific information. d) It is important to outline a clearly defined, well-focused literature search strategy and set the parameters of the search. The key is to be careful, systematic, and organised. Specify and draw the limits of the theme to be investigated so as not to waste time collecting resources that only relate to the subject indirectly. An unduly broad subject can overwhelm you with literature. A subject that is too narrowly defined can leave you stranded with only a few articles or books. Start by identifying the words that convey the main ideas or concepts in the research question and identify synonyms or related search terms for these concepts. Mind-maps or concept maps can be a useful tool to aid in this process. Question 19: Which one of the following statements about ethics is INCORRECT? a) It is possible to act unprofessionally without necessarily being unethical. b) The protection of researchers from harm falls outside the consideration of research ethics. c) Researchers should identify potentially vulnerable participants early on to manage this risk from the start. d) Beneficence should always be focused on enhancing the welfare of participants and implies an awareness of the benefit that the study findings may have for the population. Beneficence consists of five levels: (i) benefit basic knowledge; (ii) improve research techniques; (iii) enhance practical outcomes; (iv) benefit researchers; and (v) benefit research participants (Leary, 2012, pp. 312-313). Question 20: Voluntary participation is linked to the following: a) Good ethical research practice requires voluntary and unforced decision-making about participation and its consequences. b) It is important to ensure that no one, including the researcher, should be able to identify any participant afterwards. c) Research with humans may elicit emotions or previous trauma and require appropriate management such as offering support, suggesting a break or offering refreshments. d) Debriefing participants immediately after the study has been completed, to work through their experience and its aftermath, answer their questions, address misconceptions, and manage any potential harmful aftereffects, is good practice when the study carries more than minimal risk. Question 21: Which one of the following statements is INCORRECT? a) Anonymity refers to not being asked to give personal information that will enable others to recognise a participant; and implies that no identifiable information is attached to the data. b) The right to self-determination implies that individuals have the right and competence to evaluate their own level of privacy, weigh alternatives against one another, and make their own decisions. c) Confidentiality refers to how others manage the participant's confidential information. It implies the collection, analysing, storing and reporting of data in such a way that the data cannot be traced back to the person who provided the information. d) Respect for privacy means that concealed media such as video cameras, one-way mirrors or microphones can safely be administered without the knowledge or prior consent of the research respondents. Question 22: Which one of the following statements regarding research dissemination is INCORRECT? a) If the intended audience for the research comprehends the results and learns from them, the research can be judged a failure. Conversely, if the intended audience does not learn about the study’s results, the research should be judged a success. b) Research dissemination aims to convey key messages from a specific research project to the key stakeholder groups through the use of a range of mechanisms. c) Thinking about dissemination is closely linked to the original framing of the significance of the research project, and this should be an early step in the research process for both qualitative and quantitative research. If an anticipated outcome, for instance, is to change practice or to influence policy, you should consider planning stages for how that can best be achieved. d) A research dissemination plan includes the purpose of the dissemination, the target audience, and elements of credibility. Question 23: Which one of the following statements regarding a research report is INCORRECT? a) A research report is a scientific document that often has to conform to a prescribed style and format required by academic institutions or funding bodies. b) The research report may be in the form of a thesis or dissertation submitted to a university to obtain a degree, or even a basic document on a limited local investigation. c) Arts-based dissemination consists of a variety of expressive mediums that include the visual arts (e.g., posters and photographic displays), performing arts, creative writing and even multimedia (e.g., video and animation) are almost always the primary method of conveying scientific results before any other types of dissemination are considered. d) The research report contains the essence of an investigation in which the written results, as they relate to the evaluation, conclusions, and recommendations of the collected material, are presented to a specified audience. Question 24: Which one of the following statements is NOT a recommendation regarding the technical aspects of the research report? a) It is always important to give subtle descriptions and multiple perspectives to help the reader gain a feel for the subjective world of participants and to transport the reader directly to the world of the study. b) Using language that implies bias on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, racial group, ethnic group, disability or age is entirely unacceptable. Sarantakos (2013, p. 459) reminds us that it not only violates standards of equity and reflects discriminatory practices, but it is also unacceptable on ethical grounds. c) If you submit an untidy or poor report, you will most certainly be branded careless in the collection, processing and presentation of your data. A neat and consistent report always indicates that you regard your own work highly. d) Since a report is written after your investigation has been completed, the past tense is usually preferred to refer to the research as well as when the research of previous researchers is discussed.