Research Design (in 3 minutes)

Summary

This video explains the difference between research design, methodologies, and methods. Research design is the overall structure of a research project, guiding how research questions are investigated. Methodology explains why a particular approach is chosen and the assumptions behind it. Research can be qualitative or quantitative, with examples like experimental design (quantitative) and ethnography (qualitative). Methods involve ways of collecting data, such as surveys, interviews, and observations. The video highlights the strengths and limitations of both quantitative and qualitative approaches, showing how each is used to answer different research questions effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research design is the overarching structure for a research project, outlining how to investigate research questions.
• 😀 Research methodology explains why a specific approach is chosen and the assumptions behind it.
• 😀 All research involves assumptions about how we know things and how data is collected.
• 😀 There are two general research methodologies: qualitative and quantitative.
• 😀 Quantitative research, like experiments, is often used to test theories and identify relationships between factors.
• 😀 Qualitative research, like ethnography, builds a rich understanding of social environments and personal experiences.
• 😀 Research methods, like surveys and interviews, are ways to collect data for the research project.
• 😀 The choice of methodology depends on the research question and the type of information needed.
• 😀 Quantitative research is useful for large-scale studies and generalizing findings beyond a specific context.
• 😀 Qualitative research is ideal for understanding personal experiences and in-depth insights but may not support generalizations.
• 😀 During analysis, qualitative data seeks to identify themes and narratives, while quantitative data focuses on effects and patterns.

Q & A

What is research design?

Research design is the overall structure or plan for conducting a research project. It outlines how you intend to investigate your research questions and guides the organization of your study.

How does research methodology differ from research design?

Research methodology explains the reasoning behind the choice of a particular research design. It answers the question 'why' a certain approach is chosen and outlines the assumptions about knowledge and data collection in the research process.

What role do assumptions play in research methodology?

Assumptions are crucial in research methodology as they define how we believe knowledge is acquired and how data should be collected. These assumptions influence the design and methods chosen for the study.

What are the two main categories of research methodology?

The two main categories of research methodology are qualitative and quantitative methodologies. These define the broad approach for collecting and analyzing data.

Can you provide an example of a quantitative research methodology?

An experimental design is an example of a quantitative methodology. It typically involves testing hypotheses and measuring outcomes, such as in determining whether a new classroom activity improves student performance.

What is an example of a qualitative research methodology?

Ethnography is a qualitative research methodology. It involves immersing oneself in a particular social context to understand people's behaviors, feelings, and experiences, such as conducting case studies to explore students' perspectives on classroom activities.

How do research methods relate to research design and methodology?

Research methods are specific techniques or tools used to collect data, such as surveys, interviews, or observations. They are implemented within the broader framework provided by the research design and methodology.

What is the purpose of using mixed methods in research?

Mixed methods combine both qualitative and quantitative approaches. This allows researchers to gather different types of data and gain a richer understanding of the research question, such as combining surveys with interviews or observations.

What is the key difference between qualitative and quantitative approaches in research?

Qualitative approaches focus on building a deep understanding of a social environment and explaining behaviors, while quantitative approaches aim to test theories and identify patterns or relationships, often at a larger scale.

When might a researcher choose a qualitative research method over a quantitative one?

A researcher might choose a qualitative method when the goal is to understand experiences, feelings, or social phenomena in depth. For example, if studying how teachers experience government policies in their classrooms, qualitative methods like case studies and interviews are often more appropriate.