Quantitative Methods

Quantitative Methods

1. The research question

   • Research must start with a question
   • Question may derive from our own personal observations or from our reading of others’
   • Meacham: “Ignorance and knowledge grow together

2. The unit of analysis

   • In thinking about the research question it is important to specific what the unit of analysis is. Itmight be, for example, the individual, the project group, the organisation, the industry sector, or the national state
   • What is the focus?

3. Theories and hypotheses

   • Researcher will consider relevant theories about the social world from which s/he can derive specificandtestablehypotheses
   • Collect data
   • Refute or confirm the hypotheses
   • Substantiate the theory
   • What is meant by a theory in the social sciences?
     • Sherif
     • Asch

4. Quantitative research methods

   • Experiments
     • 1) Field versus laboratory experiments
     • 2.Surveys – Questionnaires and interviews
   • Describing and analysing data
   • Tests

5. Reliability and validity

6. Reading