research methods definitions

observation - the act of systematically watchig, listening to abd recording behaviours and interactions within a natural setting

covert - participant is unaware that they are being studied

overt - when the researcher is an obvious presence in the group, participants know that they are being observed

participant - when the researcher joins the group and takes part in activities

non - participant - when the researcher is watching and not participating in the group

focus groups - a group interview

structured interview - when the interviewer asks a set of questiobs in the same way to every participant

semi - structured interview - hen the interviewer has some questiona but can ask follow up questions to get more depth from the participant

unstructured interview - more like a conversation, the interviewer has a main topic but can have a conversation with the participant

questionnaire - consists of a series of questiobs for the purpose of gathering info from the participants, can have open/closed questiobs and can gather qualitative and quantitaive data

secondary methods - refers to existing research data that comes from other researchers or organisations includes official statistics, documents and mass media

surveys - a large scale quantitative approach to research

longitudinal studies - a study that involves repeated observations of the same variables over short or long periods of time 

ethnography - immersing yourself in a particular group, community or organisation to observe their behaviour up close

triangulation - using a combination of research methods in the study of the same phenomenom 

methodological pluralism - a form of triangulation, both quantitative and qualitative data is used here

generalisability - if sata is representative ad sufficent in sample size then it can be applied to wider society

representativeness - data that can reflect the target population being studuied 

objectivity - refers to researchers remaining distanced from what they study, so findings depend on what was studied rather than the personality, beliefs and values of the researcher

validity - when the data gives a true picture of what is being measured

ethics - a set of principle of conduct that govern the behaviours of individuals and or groups

reliability - the degree to whihc the results of the research are consistent and repeatable