The purpose of this report is to show the learnings of the groups research into four research methods. This group researched and discussed each method to gain a good understanding of each research method. In this individual report, the two research methods of action research and content analysis will be focused on and discussed. What follows will be a description of each form of research containing information sourced from references, text books, websites or scholarly articles and an explanation of how the method can be used in an information services setting. Articles will be evaluated for each of the research methods, thus giving a real world application of how these research methods can be used and outlining which research method will be best for which form of situation. The articles will also be critically analysed and commented on, particularly in light of the way the research methods were used in them. This report will not delve into the research or the articles of the other two methods, ethnography and case study research, these may be looked into in the other group member’s individual reports, though some of the conclusions and deductions on the research methods themselves were helped to evolve through the help of the other group members with the use of the erstwhile discussions.
Research method 1: Action Research
Action research is defined by Bridget Somekh (2005, p.89) as “directly addressing the problem of the division between theory and practice”. This is a great definition as that is the core of action research, putting research into action and deriving action from that research. However, another important aspect is the utilization of people and using people for research purposes. These aspects are stated by Dick ...
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..., are demonstrated to be a good way of garnering information why a webpage or any online information service, is not liked or not well utilised by its intended audience.
Works Cited
Dick, B. (2000). A beginner's guide to action research. Retrieved from http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/performance/resources/readings/beginners-guide-action-research.pdf
Noffke, S., & Somekh, B. (2005). Action research. In B. Somekh & C. Lewin (Eds.), Research methods in the social sciences (pp. 89-96). London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications. Retrieved from http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51111742570001951
Williamson, K. (2002). Research methods for students, academics and professionals ; Information management and systems. Witney: Chandos Publishing. Retrieved from http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51108880350001951
Rugg, G., & Petre, M. (2007). A gentle guide to research methods. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.
Based on the preceding ontological and epistemological assumptions a researcher then makes methodological assumptions. Having decided on exactly what is to be studied the researcher then decides how the research can best be managed thus formulating a plan of action. Considerations include whether the research used should be primary or secondary. Whether one will test an existing hypothesis or whether one will construct a theory after having collated evidence. Finally one can draw conclusions as to which strategy to implement with the ultimate goal of producing the type of knowledge that is required. This then results in the type of method or methods of research to be used.
Rittel, H.W.J. and M.M. Webber (1973) also stated that every solution to a wicked problem is a "one-shot operation”, because there is no opportunity to learn by trial-and-error. Every attempt counts significantly, many people's lives will be irreversibly influenced and large amounts of money will be spent in implementing the solution. Subsequently, every attempt to reverse a decision or to correct the undesired consequences poses another set of wicked problems, which are in turn subject to the same dilemmas. Evaluation methodology such as participatory action research (Whyte, 1991) would be beneficial in immediately impacting the actors, program or policies while evaluating them at the same
This essay is going to critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using surveys and questionnaires as a method of Socio-Legal research. When conducting socio-legal research, a number of methods can be used to collect useful information.
Participatory media includes practices that empower community members with knowledge and technical skills to create visual, audio, theatrical, musical and textual representations of social, political, economic and cultural issues affecting them, with the aim of stimulating dialogues, experiential learning and social change. Participatory media practices are closely linked to participatory action research (PAR), whose core aim is community empowerment for social change which was developed out of the need to liberate marginalised communities from oppressive socio-economic structures and empower them to influence positive social changes in their communities. By incorporating the participants into iterative processes of research, PAR goes beyond
Liamputtong, P. & Ezzy, D., 2005, Qualitative research methods, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Victoria, pp. 12-31.
Perri 6 & Christine B., 2012. Principles of Methodology: Research Design in Social Science. London: Sage.
Now that we are living in an ever changing world, technology is viewed as the most resourceful tool in keeping up with the pace. Without the use of technology, communication would be limited to using mail for delivery and encyclopedias for research. Although technology has improved the way we communicate and find information for research, the information is not always valid. Unfortunately, for those of us who use the internet for shopping, research, or reading articles of personal interest the information is not treated the same as a your magazine or book. While such literature is reviewed by an editorial staff, internet literature or information can be published by anyone. In order to reap the full benefit of having the use of technology for any purpose, there are five basic criteria’s one must keep in mind as an evaluating tool for deciding whether or not the particular website is a reliable source for information.
...em or concern, collect data, evaluate data, and create action strategies, share results with other participants and reflect-ing. Action research may use both quantitative and qualitative research to assist the researcher in analyzing their research, as well as providing a variety of ways to work differently in the school setting.
Action researcher works in the hurly burly of her/his own practice. Monitoring closely, this practice as they act within it, demands space and time which, almost by definition, the practice does not give easily. It is therefore difficult to maintain rigor in data gathering and critique.
is a disciplined process of inquiry conducted by and for those taking the action. The primary reason for engaging in action research is to assist the “actor” in improving and/or refining his or her actions.
Zeleny, M (ed.) 2000, The IEBM handbook of information technology in business, Thomson Learning, London.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2010) Research Methods for Business Students, 5th Edition, Pearson Education.
Willis opined that each paradigm has a different history and each paradigm has been adopted historically to address a particular problem in social science (Willis & Jost, 2007). I have chosen my paradigm based on my research background and working experience. I have taken my position of participatory paradigm. Participatory paradigm is a relatively new concept of paradigm in social science theories(Heron & Reason, 1997). It is derived from qualitative research tradition. Participatory paradigm has been growing in recent years and particularly in the developing countries. Chambers(1986: 1) describes participatory paradigm as “…[c]oherent and mutually supportive pattern of concepts, values, methods, and action amenable to wide application”. It is based on the principle of participation and calls attention to bottom up approach. It treats society or people as research participants rather than research subjects (Brown, 1985). Participatory approach deals with the relation between who perform research and who are research subjects. A vital
The Importance and Appropriateness of Utilizing Different Methodologies for Research. Introduction The process of research entails the logical as well as systematic search for useful data and information with regard to a specific topic (Jha, 2008). It is also comprised of the investigation of the best, most cost effective and appropriate solutions to both social and scientific issues, following an objective and logical analysis. Jha, (2008) defines research as the search for knowledge and the discovery of the truth. During this process, the data can be gathered from a wide pool of sources among them interviews, books, nature among others.The data can then be analyzed with the appropriate data analysis tools, so as to report the findings