Exam theory: Research
(Lecture 1)
Give an example of a problem statement.
The goal of the organization & the barriers. It must include a negative consequence.
Problem statement template:
How can (the organization) reach (the desired situation) without (these potential negative
consequences)?
E.g. how can the IC team achieve cultural synergy without sufficient time and resources?
What is a research strategy?
The research strategy describes the data collection activities to find answers to the
research questions.
What (4 types) of information are usually found in a research strategy?
- justification of the main characteristics of the research: qualitative/quantitative research,
explanatory/exploratory/descriptive research, categorical/numerical data.
-instruments used for data collection: interviews, surveys, observations
-how participants for the research were chosen e.g. sampling
- validity (construct validity, measurement validity) and reliability
What is descriptive research?
Descriptive research focuses on ‘’what’’ answers rather than explanations or drawing
conclusions, e.g. frequencies of x behavior, but not depth into why that behavior occurs.
What is exploratory research?
Exploratory research also explores frequencies but also associations and differences, in
order to come to a theory.
What five questions can be asked to ensure your research is ethical?
1) Do the subjects participate voluntarily?
2) Have the subjects been told clearly about what the goal and procedure of the research
is?
3) Is the data from the subjects being analysed confidentially and preferably anonymous?
,4) Do the results of the research study have negative consequences for the subjects?
5) Is the research study being done in a fair and objective way?\
What is qualitative research?
It is about gaining new insights and less about numerical proven facts. Most qualitative
research reports will give descriptions and most probably no numerical tables or graphs.
The basis for analysis in qualitative research is written out versions of interviews and
observations. You should be open to what you encounter when doing the study to learn
something.
What is quantitative research?
It is research in which research data consists of numerical data which is analysed to answer
the research question. It is usually used when you know what to expect and there is a
narrow scope. There is a closed research question which is fixed. Quantitative data needs
to be replicable (the report needs to be written in a way so that someone else could
reproduce your research themselves, so how you found your subjects and which research
instruments were used need to be very clearly stated).
Why would you do quantitative research if you already know what to expect?
You may know the general answer but not the strength of it – there may be other elements
to explain things that you didn’t factor in.
What are the differences?
Qualitative: OPEN questions, research question can be changed, goal is to develop new
ideas, you can collect data in many ways, results are reports of observations, interviews
and existing data like fragments of diaries.
Quantitative: CLOSED questions, research question is FIXED, goal is to describe and test
ideas stated prior to the start of the research study, data is collected in one way (e.g.
questionnaire).
What is verifiability criterion?
It is when conclusions are plausible and your method is transparent.
What is mixed methods research?
It is when you use both qualitative and quantitative research.
What is qualitative research philosophy?
It tries to answer this question: what meanings do people attribute to their behavior,
actions, and interactions with others? It’s not about numbers.
What is the onion?
, What is epistemology?
Epistemology is the study what is acceptable knowledge. There are two positions:
- Positivism – If you’re a positivist, you’re a natural scientist, ‘’What I can observe is
where I get my knowledge from’’. You don’t interact with people, but you observe
them. It’s not about what they say, it’s about how their brain works (through
established tests) This position focuses on facts and behaviours.
- ‘’observable phenomena count as credible data’’.
- Applicable example: Watching how colleagues interact with each other, sitting in on a
meeting. You could also observe brain activity during the interactions – you can’t control
that.
- Interpretivism – You can only understand what’s credible through the differences
between social actors – you can’t understand a situation unless you go beyond
observation. You have to understand how people think by asking questions. Focuses
on feelings, attitudes and beliefs.
- ‘’credible data obtained by understanding differences between humans as social actors’’.
(Lecture 1)
Give an example of a problem statement.
The goal of the organization & the barriers. It must include a negative consequence.
Problem statement template:
How can (the organization) reach (the desired situation) without (these potential negative
consequences)?
E.g. how can the IC team achieve cultural synergy without sufficient time and resources?
What is a research strategy?
The research strategy describes the data collection activities to find answers to the
research questions.
What (4 types) of information are usually found in a research strategy?
- justification of the main characteristics of the research: qualitative/quantitative research,
explanatory/exploratory/descriptive research, categorical/numerical data.
-instruments used for data collection: interviews, surveys, observations
-how participants for the research were chosen e.g. sampling
- validity (construct validity, measurement validity) and reliability
What is descriptive research?
Descriptive research focuses on ‘’what’’ answers rather than explanations or drawing
conclusions, e.g. frequencies of x behavior, but not depth into why that behavior occurs.
What is exploratory research?
Exploratory research also explores frequencies but also associations and differences, in
order to come to a theory.
What five questions can be asked to ensure your research is ethical?
1) Do the subjects participate voluntarily?
2) Have the subjects been told clearly about what the goal and procedure of the research
is?
3) Is the data from the subjects being analysed confidentially and preferably anonymous?
,4) Do the results of the research study have negative consequences for the subjects?
5) Is the research study being done in a fair and objective way?\
What is qualitative research?
It is about gaining new insights and less about numerical proven facts. Most qualitative
research reports will give descriptions and most probably no numerical tables or graphs.
The basis for analysis in qualitative research is written out versions of interviews and
observations. You should be open to what you encounter when doing the study to learn
something.
What is quantitative research?
It is research in which research data consists of numerical data which is analysed to answer
the research question. It is usually used when you know what to expect and there is a
narrow scope. There is a closed research question which is fixed. Quantitative data needs
to be replicable (the report needs to be written in a way so that someone else could
reproduce your research themselves, so how you found your subjects and which research
instruments were used need to be very clearly stated).
Why would you do quantitative research if you already know what to expect?
You may know the general answer but not the strength of it – there may be other elements
to explain things that you didn’t factor in.
What are the differences?
Qualitative: OPEN questions, research question can be changed, goal is to develop new
ideas, you can collect data in many ways, results are reports of observations, interviews
and existing data like fragments of diaries.
Quantitative: CLOSED questions, research question is FIXED, goal is to describe and test
ideas stated prior to the start of the research study, data is collected in one way (e.g.
questionnaire).
What is verifiability criterion?
It is when conclusions are plausible and your method is transparent.
What is mixed methods research?
It is when you use both qualitative and quantitative research.
What is qualitative research philosophy?
It tries to answer this question: what meanings do people attribute to their behavior,
actions, and interactions with others? It’s not about numbers.
What is the onion?
, What is epistemology?
Epistemology is the study what is acceptable knowledge. There are two positions:
- Positivism – If you’re a positivist, you’re a natural scientist, ‘’What I can observe is
where I get my knowledge from’’. You don’t interact with people, but you observe
them. It’s not about what they say, it’s about how their brain works (through
established tests) This position focuses on facts and behaviours.
- ‘’observable phenomena count as credible data’’.
- Applicable example: Watching how colleagues interact with each other, sitting in on a
meeting. You could also observe brain activity during the interactions – you can’t control
that.
- Interpretivism – You can only understand what’s credible through the differences
between social actors – you can’t understand a situation unless you go beyond
observation. You have to understand how people think by asking questions. Focuses
on feelings, attitudes and beliefs.
- ‘’credible data obtained by understanding differences between humans as social actors’’.
