Assessment Objective Two

Aims and Objectives

Analyse a range of different research methods

How will the assessment take place? Completion of six worksheets. One for each of the following methods of research: 1. Experiments 2. Surveys 3. Case Studies 4. Observations- (participant / non participant) 5. Questionnaires using rating systems e.g. Likert scale 6. Interviews- Formal and informal For each method of research you will comment on: o Overview of the method o Advantages and disadvantages o Examples of when it can be used in public services o Provide evidence of its use.
Grading Pass Candidates identify different types of research methods and provide a simple analysis of each. They demonstrate a limited understanding of the relevant methodology, its key concepts and its usage. Merit Candidates identify different types of research methods and provide a clear analysis of each. They demonstrate a good understanding of the relevant methodology, its key concepts and its usage. Distinction Candidates identify different types of research methods and provide a detailed analysis of each. They demonstrate an excellent understanding of the relevant methodology, its key concepts and its usage

Example
Overview: Find a definition and reference its source (Wikipedia not accepted). Give a general description of the research method. What are the key principles of the method? How would you go about doing this method? How is the data presented?

Advantages: Why might this method be used? What type of data is it good at analysing? How easy is it to collect the data?

Disadvantages: What are its limitations? When would it not be good to use?

Usage: When in the public services would it be good to use this method and why?

Example of use: Find an example of when it has been used. Describe how the method was used. Justify why that particular method was used.

Experiments
Overview: A simple experiment is used to establish cause and effect, so this type of study is often used to determine the effect of a treatment. In a simple experiment, study participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. Generally, one group is the control group and receives no treatment, while the other group is the experimental group and receives the treatment. Advantages: The advantages could be finding something knew every time you do an experiment. They are not boring; they are a challenge which is always good. Disadvantages: It could be boring, you might not find what you want to find. It could take ages. It could go wrong. Usage: You would use them in science, in training for something. In teamwork tasks and task done on your own. Example of use: If you were in a science class and you were learning about something you would then experiment on it. Experiments will give you results and you could re-do them with different results every time.

Surveys
Overview: A Survey is a system for collecting information from or about people to describe, compare, or explain their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour. The survey system is comprised of seven activities. These include setting objectives for information collection, designing the study, preparing a reliable and valid survey instrument, administering the survey, managing and analysing survey data, and reporting the results. Advantages: 1. Surveys are particularly useful in describing the characteristics of a large population. 2. Surveys- especially self-administered ones make large samples feasible. 3. In one sense, surveys are flexible. 4. Standardized questionnaires have an important strength in regard to measurement generally. Disadvantages: 1. Surveys often appear superficial in their coverage of complex topics. 2. Similarly, survey research can seldom deal with the context of social life. 3. In many ways, surveys are inflexible. Usage: Surveys may be conducted to gather information through a printed questionnaire, over the telephone, by mail, in person, by diskette, or on the web Example of use: If you wanted to join something you would get asked a survey, and then they will look at it and see what your like.

Case Studies
Overview: The study of a person, a small group, a single situation, or a specific "case," is called a case study. It involves extensive research, including documented evidence of a particular issue or situation -- symptoms, reactions, affects of certain stimuli, and the conclusion reached following the study. A case study may show a correlation between two factors, whether or not a causal relationship can also be proven. It may sound complicated, but it's really quite simple. Advantages: Develops analytic and problem solving skills Allows for exploration of solutions for complex issues Allows student to apply new knowledge and skills Disadvantages: .May not see relevance to own situation Insufficient information can lead to inappropriate results Not appropriate for elementary level With a researcher observing the specimen closely, the specimen is likely to change their behaviour Usage: You would use it if you were working for the police. And other public services. It hospitals etc. Example of use: If you were in a police interview because you have murdered or raped someone you would have a case study done, so if something happens again they would no it was you. You would also use one if you wanted to no about someone.

Observations
Overview: "Observations" usually implies that you are watching some process and either measuring or noting the change that has taken place. Usually you will also want to note the time of the observation, so that you can have an idea of how quickly (or slowly) the changes are occurring. Advantages: 1. Rich in detail; 2. Focuses on all behaviours, not just one particular behaviour; 3. Does not require a great deal of training; 4. Understands not only what behaviours occurred but also the context in which the behaviour occurred. Disadvantages: 1. Time consuming; 2. Works well for observing one individual, but is difficult to use when observing a group; 3. Observers keep themselves apart from the children which would be difficult for a teacher to do. Usage: You would use them in tests, things you do in life. Group activitys and maybe sports matches like a football game. Example of use: Observations Are Just Things That You Noticed While You Were Doing The Experiment. An Example Would Be If You Heated Something Up And Started To See Smoke. The Observations Would Be That You've Seen Smoke.

Questionnaires
Overview: Definition: A questionnaire is an important tool in public opinion research. If you get a representative number of people to answer the same question or questions then you can make a judgment of what most people think. This information can be used to plot trends & changes in public perception. Tt has uses in marketing & political research. How the questions are phrased may make a big difference to the resulting results. Advantages: The responses are gathered in a standardised way, so questionnaires are more objective, certainly more so than interviews. Generally it is relatively quick to collect information using a questionnaire. However in some situations they can take a long time not only to design but also to apply and analyse (see disadvantages for more information). Potentially information can be collected from a large portion of a group. This potential is not often realised, as returns from questionnaires are usually low. However return rates can be dramatically improved if the questionnaire is delivered and responded to in class time. Disadvantages: .Questionnaires, like many evaluation methods occur after the event, so participants may forget important issues. .Questionnaires are standardised so it is not possible to explain any points in the questions that participants might misinterpret. This could be partially solved by piloting the questions on a small group of students or at least friends and colleagues. It is advisable to do this anyway. Usage: Maybe sometimes if you want to are applying for a job. If you in school it could be a little quiz you could do. You could use them after events like football matches. You can use them of stuff you no about. Example of use: If you were watching a film in the cinema and it was knew out it would say when the credits are on go to this website and fill out a questionnaire out on this film?

Interviews
Overview: Definition: An interview is a meeting with a prospective employer to assess the qualifications of an applicant for employment for a job. Interviews can be held in-person, conducted over the phone, or conducted via video or Skype. Meetings could also be with how many people you like, and it could be about anything, sports, studying etc. Advantages: . Meetings are usually face to face so that would be an advantage, being face to face would be better, better to listen and better to take in what someone is saying. . Having loads to say, if you have loads to say you would have a good interview. . If you prepared for it would make it easier. Disadvantages: . A disadvantage would be if you couldnt handle pressure or if you dint no what to say because if someone was speaking they might not say it in an easier way. . It could go on for to long, getting bored would stop you from listening and actually lose track in what youre doing. Usage: Interviews are used for getting a knew job, if you have done something wrong people would want to interview you. If you have done something good you would maybe get interviewed for that. Example of use: If you have done something wrong like a burglary and the police catch you, you would get interviewed be someone asking you loads of question on why you did it, how you did it, what made you do it etc.