Exam (elaborations) biology with verified answers

Research Methods Unit 25. "What are case studies? - CORRECT ANSWER involve the detailed study of a single individual, small group, organisation or event. Case studies use information from a range of sources such as from the person concerned and their families and friends. Many techniques can be used - the people might be interviewed or they might be observed while engaged in everyday life. Psychologists might use IQ tests or personality tests for example. They may even use the experimental method to find out what the person/group can or can't do." "Strengths of case studies? - CORRECT ANSWER Detailed - Case studies contain rich in depth, detailed, qualitative data and also quantitative data. This can provide insights into the person/s being studied unlike other method Real Life - Case studies represent real life situations and can help us understand particular behaviours, organisations, events, etc." "Weakness of case studies? - CORRECT ANSWER Time consuming - As they can last months or years it takes a long time, and therefore costs more to complete. You also have to wait a long time for the outcomes. Researcher feelings - due to the emotional attachment and longevity of a case study the researcher(s) might be too subjective. Generalisation - difficult to apply findings to the wider population as the case is unique and not necessarily representative of everyone." "Action Research? - CORRECT ANSWER is a method used for improving practice. It involves action, evaluation, and critical reflection and - based on the evidence gathered - changes in practice are then implemented. For example: Individual action research involves working independently on a project, such as a school teacher conducting her own, in-class research groject with her students. A further example is the number of referrals from GP's to smoking reduction sessions could be compared before and after they are advertised." "Strengths of action research: - CORRECT ANSWER The strength of action research is that it focuses on solving specific problems and has a high chance of influencing change." "Weakness of action research - CORRECT ANSWER The weakness however is that it is not possible to generalise as it has been carried out in a very specific situation. It is also time consuming" "How to avoid plaigarism - CORRECT ANSWER Make notes in own words Acknowledging the sources of information/ referencing Clarity in providing questions" "Advantage of Quantitative Methodologies - CORRECT ANSWER The numerical data gathered through quantitative techniques is easy to analyse through the use of descriptive and inferential statistics (statistical tests). Therefore it is easier to come to firm conclusions." "Disadvantage of Quantitative Methodologies - CORRECT ANSWER The data gathered using these techniques is often lacking in depth and meaning and so does not give us a lot of information about the behaviour being studied." "What are primary methods? - CORRECT ANSWER Primary methods are when data is collected 'first hand' by a researcher to test their own research question. The researcher will know exactly how the data was collected and for what purpose" "Strengths of primary methods: - CORRECT ANSWER The researcher can ensure that the research they are conducting is directly and specifically focused on the issues at hand. The procedure can be designed to suit the aim of the research." "Weakness of primary methods: - CORRECT ANSWER Primary data costs more time and money to gather than using secondary sources." "Examples of primary methods: - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Experimental Method ( Randomised Controlled Trial) 2. Survey/Questionnaires 3. Interviews 4. Case studies 5. Observations 6. Action Research" "Explain randomised controlled trial: - CORRECT ANSWER A randomised controlled trial (RCT) is an experimental form of impact evaluation in which the population receiving the programme or policy intervention is chosen at random from the eligible population, and a control group is also chosen at random from the same eligible population." "Strengths of Randomised Controlled Trial - CORRECT ANSWER Highly controlled which means that we can say that any change in a variable is a result of changing another variable. We can establish cause and effect. They use a standardised procedure. This is a step by step guide that the researcher can follow. This is a strength because it allows the Oxperiment to be easily repeated again (replicated) by others to check the reliability of the findings (the extent to which the results are consistent)." "Weakness of Randomised Controlled Trial: - CORRECT ANSWER A weakness of experiments is that participants can behave differently BECAUSE they are in an experimental setting. Participants may try to work out the aim of the experiment and try too hard to please the experimenter or try to spoil the results. This is a weakness because the behaviour observed is not TYPICAL of their normal behaviour. Another weakness of lab experiments is highly artificial and it is unlikely that the participants would have behaved the same as they would in everyday life. This is a weakness because you cannot generalise the findings to an everyday situation, it therefore lacks ecological validity." "Survey And Questionnaires - CORRECT ANSWER are methods where a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions, behaviours and/or experiences related to a given topic. Standardised questions are handed out/delivered to a representative group of people. They are expected to fill in the questionnaires themselves." "Strengths of Survey and Questionnaires - CORRECT ANSWER Can be easily distributed to participants so researchers can obtain a large sample Generate a lot of data Cost-effective. Questionnaires contain standardised questions. Are easy to replicate Reliability Easy to conduct Anonymity People are used to them so willing to complete" "Weakness of Survey and Questionnaires: - CORRECT ANSWER Ps can lie on questionnaires and not be completely honest. They often do this so ley appear in a favourable light to the researcher. This is called giving socially desirable answers. Another weakness is that questionnaires may have complex or poorly worded questions which are difficult to understand or interpret. This can lead to invalid findings. Communication difficulties Time consuming" "Surveys/Questionnaires include what type of questions? - CORRECT ANSWER Open questions - the participant can express their ideas and opinions. There are no predetermined answers. They produce qualitative data (data in the form of words). Example- how would you describes your experience of using the housing department? Closed questions - have a set of predetermined answers. The participant may simply tick a box. They produce quantitative data (numbers/statistics). Closed questions can be asked in a number of ways Example- please rate how helpful you found the housing department : Not helpful Very helpful 1 2 3 4 5" "What are Interviews? - CORRECT ANSWER are another way of asking questions, but instead of them being in writing they are verbal! There are 2 types of interviews: structured and unstructured. Both involve verbal questioning of Ps (interviewees) which is usually done face-to-face, but can be over the phone or internet (e.g. Skype)." "Structured interviews - CORRECT ANSWER basically exactly the same as a questionnaire apart from the fact that an interviewer verbally asks the questions. The questions are pre-determined." "Unstructured interviews - CORRECT ANSWER are more like a conversation between the Ps and the interviewer. There will be themes' that the interviewer will want to focus on but there are no standardised questions. The interview can go in any direction that the P or the interviewer desires. They are often voice recorded and transcribed." "Focus Groups - CORRECT ANSWER are interviews held with a group of people who have something in common. For example, they are all care staff working in a day care centre. The questions are pre-set but there is flexibility allowed." "Observations - CORRECT ANSWER involve a researcher(s) watching behaviour in a systematic way. This means they interpret and record the behaviour taking place." "What are the two types of observations? - CORRECT ANSWER Formal and Informal" "Formal? - CORRECT ANSWER these usually take place in a controlled environment and there may be set activities the participants are directed to do. The observer will record using a preset, standardised checklist." "Informal? - CORRECT ANSWER these usually take place in a natural environment where the researchers do not control The observer will have more flexibility about how they record their observations and may make field notes." "Strengths of formal observations? - CORRECT ANSWER Behaviour checklist is easy and quick to complete and can be used by many observers. It is standardised and there are few extraneous variables. More reliable." "Weakness of formal observations? - CORRECT ANSWER Most P's will know they are being observed so behaviour may not be natural. Less valid." "Strengths of informal observations? - CORRECT ANSWER Reliable More likely to observe natural behaviour as P's may be unaware. Higher validity." "Weakness of Informal Observations? - CORRECT ANSWER Observers have to be more skilled and make field notes which is time consuming. Lower reliability." "Benefits of observations? - CORRECT ANSWER Easy to Conduct Own observation- not reliant on others Easy to record findings Real life behaviour shown" "Limitations of Observations? - CORRECT ANSWER Possible bias in recording Time consuming Difficult to analyse Wide range of different behaviours to record" "Interventions - CORRECT ANSWER these refer to any activity, resource that allows a person's situation to improve. For example, providing a refuge space for women escaping domestic violence. Research in this area might compare the impact of a new intervention, such as a drop in and chat centre in Oldham on loneliness reports amongst vulnerable adults. also, the creation of "at risk" registers for vulnerable people." "Social Care policy - CORRECT ANSWER research can relate to any social care policy, especially "care in the community", for example how much in savings is someone allowed to keep if they are moved into residential care. Researchers might investigate the impact of free playschemes for SEN children on parental well being." "Practices in social care - CORRECT ANSWER a practice can refer to anything a practitioner in a care setting might do, for example how they help a client to get dressed whilst maintaining their dignity. Research might focus on social worker's interview strategies with children they suspect have been mistreated. Also it could be increasing the age that looked after children are supported." "Child development - CORRECT ANSWER children develop physically, socially, emotionally and psychologically. Any aspect of their development could be researched. For example, a comparison between 2 years olds who have been in full time nursery for 6 months with 2 years who have been cared for at home in terms of their language development. For example, the use of the "red book" to chart developmental milestones and norms." "Advantages of opportunity sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER -Convenient in terms of time and cost. -Easy way to obtain large samples. -Participants who are engaged take part -Sample selected will be relevant to research but only if you use the right setting -Easy to conduct" "Disadvantages of opportunity sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER -The sample is likely to be biased in some (important) way because the researcher influences who is asked to take part and may be biased when they select the P's and they may select P's to support their hypothesis. -Therefore the findings may not be generalised to the wider population. -The sample is likely to be unrepresentative and lack validity." "What is random sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected. The researcher needs the names of all members of their target population. All potential participants are entered into a draw of some kind and names are randomly selected until the desired number of participants is chosen." "Advantages of random sampling: - CORRECT ANSWER -Sample is less likely to be biased and have greater population validity as there is no influence on who is selected." "Disadvantages of random sampling: - CORRECT ANSWER -Even if participants are selected they may not be available or may refuse to take part in a study. -Therefore it can be a costly and time consuming sampling method. -A random sample could end up consisting of mainly males or female P's which would make the sample biased - Time consuming - Difficult to conduct - Can be unrepresentative of target population - Participants can refuse to participate so could be more volunteer sampling" "What is stratified sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER Stratified sampling is a sophisticated way to reflect the number of people in certain groups within the target population. The population is divided into groups based on a shared characteristic. Each group is called a stratum; the plural is strata. Then, one or more choices are made at random from each stratum." "Advantages of stratified sampling: - CORRECT ANSWER -More likely to be representative as each sector of the target population is reflected in the sample. -Therefore the results can be generalised to the wider population. - Prevents a biased result if the selection is accurate" "Disadvantages of stratified sampling: - CORRECT ANSWER -Very complex and time-consuming to achieve. - It takes more resources to plan. -The researcher has to decide on which categories of the target population to include in the sample and then calculate the percentages. -It is therefore normally done using a computer. - Care must be taken to ensure each key characteristic present in the population is selected across strata, otherwise this will design a biased sample." "What is self selecting sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER People choose to sign up to the research and to participate. The participants can opt to join the research by replying to adverts placed by the researcher about the topic and methods being used." "Advantages of self selecting sampling: - CORRECT ANSWER -This often achieves a large sample size through reaching a wide audience, for example with online advertisements. -Quick and relatively easy to do" "Disadvantages of self selecting sampling: - CORRECT ANSWER -Those who respond to the call for volunteers may all display similar characteristics, increasing the chances of yielding an unrepresentative sample. -Can be costly to advertise / predict sample size" "What is systemic sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A systematic method is chosen for selecting from a target group, e.g. every (Nth) fourth person in a list could be used in the sample. It differs from random sampling in that it does not give an equal chance of selection to each individual in the target group" "Advantages of systematic sampling: - CORRECT ANSWER -Removes bias in selection / Equal chance of being selected -Simple and easy" "Disadvantages of systematic sampling: - CORRECT ANSWER -Need a sampling frame, e.g, names of people attending a back pain clinic / data protection issues -Unrepresentative / selected by chance -Some groups could be over or under represented -Cannot make accurate generalisations" "What are the ethical principles? - CORRECT ANSWER • avoid deception • maintain anonymity and confidentiality • cause no harm • allow right to withdraw • obtain written informed consent • protect and individual" "What is non-maleficence? - CORRECT ANSWER Causing no harm" "What is beneficence? - CORRECT ANSWER doing good- doing something beneficial" "What are ethics? - CORRECT ANSWER Ethics in the conduct of research is extremely important. Research can directly or indirectly causd psychological, cultural or physical harm to a person. a community or a culture if it disregards the best interests of those who participate" "What is the Data Protection Act/General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and what are the ethical principles? - CORRECT ANSWER The ethical principles are to ensure that only relevant data is collected and the data is only processed matching to the stated purpose. The data must not be altered and must be kept securely. The processing of the information must not breech participants' legal rights and after the data has been used it must be destroyed." "What are ethical review boards? (AKA Institutional Review Board) - CORRECT ANSWER These professional committees are commonly called Ethical Review Board (ERB) or Institutional Review Board (IRB). Their role is to ensure that all research performed at that institution upholds the principles of ethics such that participants are protected from undue risks. So, ethical review boards are a committee that applies research ethics by reviewing the methods proposed for research to ensure that they are ethical." "Secondary research? - CORRECT ANSWER collection of data from second-hand sources. past research which has already been performed and often already published." " What are the areas of research? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Health 2. Social Care 3. Childcare" "What are the 3 points to health? - CORRECT ANSWER Treatment Health Policy Practices in health care" "What are the 3 points in social care? - CORRECT ANSWER Interventions Social care policy Practices in social care" "What are the three points to childcare? - CORRECT ANSWER Child Development Early years and childcare policy Practices in early years and child care" "Treatments - CORRECT ANSWER in this area research could be on any surgical, psychological, mediciné upharmacological drug treatments and therapies for any disorder. For example the impact of gene therapy on breast cancer patients, or how talking therapies benefit teenagers with anorexia." "Health policy - CORRECT ANSWER research can relate to the impact of the creation of new laws, frameworks and guidelines. For example, safeguarding policy may have an impact on staff recruitment. Maybe making it more expensive or time consuming to recruit a new member of staff." "Practices in health care - CORRECT ANSWER refers to what staff do and how they do it, for example providing new ways health care professionals should behave (like the introduction of person-centered care or mental health training for GP's)"