Research Methods

Research Methods

1. Triangulation

   • Creates a more detailed picture
   • Increases validity
   • Checks data for correlation between methods
   • Not always possible due to funding/time/limited ways of collecting necessary data
   • Finds strengths and weaknesses

2. Preference and Knowledge

   • Stratification, class system
   • Topic which is popular at the time eg. EU Membership

3. Funding and Cooperation

   • Funding is given by charities, government or industries
   • Quantatative data is usually funded by governemt
   • 'Gatekeeper' body which holds the money and decides on funding
   • Government will fund research based on policies eg. NHS

4. Researcher's career

   • Has the researcher done any similar research in the past?
   • Choose topics which will aid their employability
   • Will it be published?
   • Add to or disprove previous research

5. Reviewing the field

   • What has already been done? what needs to be done?
   • Critique existing data
   • Analyse material
   • is there a better way of doing it?

6. Research Questions

   • Answer 1 question
   • Focus on one part of the topic
   • Clear and easy research
   • Value free questions

7. Hypotheses

   • A statement that makes a prediction
   • Starting point
   • Written in 3rd person, never say 'I'
   • Terms such as 'democracy' should be operationalised (made measurable)