SWP 538 Study Guide - Fall 2018, Comprehensive Midterm Notes -
12 Oct 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
SWP 538
MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Fall 2018
SWP538 – LECTURE 1
WHAT IS RESEARCH ?
• Gathering
• inquiring
• curiosity
Purpose of research
• research is the process of systematically gaining information
• research is becoming increasingly important as governing agencies demand evidence that
programs and practices are effective
• evidenced-based practice is practices whose efficacy is supported by evidence (research)
Ways of knowing
Knowledge is gained through:
• through our own personal experiences
• through the knowledge of others
• through tradition
• through the use of scientific methods
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Qualitative research is used when little or nothing is known about a subject. We employ
qualitative methods to allow us to develop our knowledge base. In essence, we need to “find out”
about this phenomenon
• driven by meaningful phenomenon
• used when little or nothing is known about a phenomenon
• the processes helps researchers gain an in-depth understanding from observations and / or
interviews
Benefits
• voices from the margins
• creates relationships
Limitations
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• value laden and subjective
• not full accepted in policy
• not replicable
• bias
• labour intensive
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative research distinguishes itself from qualitative research in that these studies display
findings mostly in numerical terms. This type of research seeks to be explanatory in that it
attempts to explain the relationship between two entities (often referred to as variables)
• relevant variables are used to explain relationships
• uses numerical res presentation
Limitations
• quantitative imperialism
• post claim on what is truth
• dualism
• colonialism and imperialism
• male and white oriented feminist critical race
WHAT IS RESEARCH BIAS?
Qualitative research
The researcher usually has some preconceived bias (opinion based on knowledge from his or her
own experiences, knowledge of the experiences of others, or tradition). Otherwise, why chose to
study this phenomena? How’re it is acceptable in qualitative research fro bias to play a role in
the interpretation of events and the interaction of the facts to include in the case
Quantitative research
Bias is the unknown or unacknowledged error created during the design of the study, in the
choice of a problem to be studied, over the course of the study itself, or during the interpretation
of the findings
MIXED METHOD RESEARCH
• There are two types of research methods - qualitative research methods & quantitative
research methods
• When both research methods are used, this combination is called a mixed method design
RESEARCH DESIGNS
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find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
What is research : gathering inquiring curiosity. Purpose of research research is the process of systematically gaining information research is becoming increasingly important as governing agencies demand evidence that programs and practices are effective evidenced-based practice is practices whose efficacy is supported by evidence (research) Knowledge is gained through: through our own personal experiences through the knowledge of others through tradition through the use of scientific methods. Qualitative research is used when little or nothing is known about a subject. We employ qualitative methods to allow us to develop our knowledge base. In essence, we need to find out about this phenomenon: driven by meaningful phenomenon, used when little or nothing is known about a phenomenon the processes helps researchers gain an in-depth understanding from observations and / or interviews. Benefits: voices from the margins creates relationships. Limitations: value laden and subjective, not full accepted in policy, not replicable, bias labour intensive.
