Methods Designed To Improve Research

Question 1

What are the methods designed to improve research?

Answer 1

• triangulation
• reflexivity
• respondent validation
• methodological pluralism

Question 2

Triangulation

Answer 2

• The use of more than one method, usually one or more that collects quantitative data and one or more that collects qualitative data to cross check the data being collected, to counter the bias of using a single method or to increase confidence in the findings.

Question 3

What is the theoretical strength of triangulation?

Answer 3

• Is supported by both POSITIVISTS and INTERPRETIVISTS.

Question 4

What is the practical strength of triangulation?

Answer 4

• Triangulation helps to ELIMINATE BIASES as a range of methods used to cross-check data/findings – therefore increasing validity

Question 5

What are the ethical strengths of triangulation?

Answer 5

• Participants are fully represented by different methods reducing emotional HARM so increasing validity.

Question 6

What are the practical weaknesses of triangulation?

Answer 6

• Time consuming - will take a long time to carry out the variety of different methods which will potentially reduce the sample size reducing representativeness and generalisability

Question 7

What are the ethical weaknesses of triangulation?

Answer 7

• Depending on the methods used (will need to read source material carefully) it may difficult to uphold some of the ethical guidelines which could impact the validity of the results

Question 8

Reflexivity

Answer 8

• This is generally used by Interpretivists where they keep track of the strengths and weaknesses of the research. This is to evaluate their work with the aim of improving its validity.

Question 9

What are the theoretical strengths of reflexivity?

Answer 9

• INTERPRETIVISTS would favour this method as it aims to ensure a true insight into the social reality is gained meaning that the validity is increased and verstehen about a group is gained.

Question 10

What are the practical strengths of reflexivity?

Answer 10

• When the researcher is reflexive they will THINK CRITICALLY about their research methods. This ensures that groups are examined effectively and a true picture of them is given which increases the validity of the data.

Question 11

What are the ethical strengths of reflexivity?

Answer 11

• If a researcher is being reflexive they are reviewing how their role can impact on the validity of the data. For example they would look out for issues surrounding INTERVIEWER EFFECT which could mean that the respondents change their responses and give socially desirable ones.

Question 12

Respondent validation

Answer 12

• Data or results are returned to participants to check for accuracy and resonance with their experiences

Question 13

What are the theoretical strengths of respondent validation?

Answer 13

• INTERPRETIVISTS would like this method due to it allowing the researchers to develop rapport and verstehen with the participants. This increases the validity of the research as participants are more likely to be honest and clarify any mistakes they may have made initially. This means a deeper insight into their lives can be gained.

Question 14

What are the practical strengths of respondent validation?

Answer 14

• The researcher can gain feedback from the participants who were involved in the event or situation that was researched in order to check how their behaviour was interpreted. This can avoid bias and improve the validity of the research as it ensures that a group and social situation is presented ACCURATELY.

Question 15

What are the ethical strengths of respondent validation?

Answer 15

• It reduces emotional HARM as the participants are able to check that they have been portrayed fairly and accurately. This increases the validity as it ensures an accurate and fair reflection of the group being researched.

Question 16

Methodological pluralism

Answer 16

• A mixed method approach where methods are combined to provide a fuller and detailed, comprehensive picture of the topic. Combines both qualitative and quantitative methods

Question 17

What are the theoretical strengths of methodological pluralism?

Answer 17

• Provides a detailed and in-depth examination of one particular case. Interpretivists would prefer this method as it gives a comprehensive insight into the study area.

Question 18

What are the practical strengths of methodological pluralism?

Answer 18

• methodological pluralism helps to ELIMINATE BIASES as a range of methods used to get a holistic understanding therefore increasing validity

Question 19

What are the ethical strengths of methodological pluralism?

Answer 19

• As participants will be reflected more accurately, validity is increased reducing the risk of emotional harm caused by misrepresentation.