CHAPTER 3: CHAPTER 3:

METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY

Sections in methodology:

-Setting, participants, duration-Data collection: Instrument to collect data. Systematic data collection provides valid and reliable data.-Data analysis: Compilation and interpretation of primary and secondary sources of information. -Statistics: Need to have knowledge in statistics in quantitative research.

SOURCES OF SOURCES OF DATADATA

Primary SourcePrimary Source•Data collected by researchers of the

current study.•Data gathered

through questionnaire,interviews,

observations etc.

Secondary SourceSecondary Source•Data collected,

compiled or written by other

researchers e.g. books, journals, newspapers

•All sources must be acknowledged.

Quantitative data

Qualitative data

vs.

Primary sources: Quantitative

Used to quantify size, distribution and association of variables in a study population. Ask questions such as ‘How many?’ ‘How often?’ and ‘How significant?’ Answers to questions can be counted and expressed numerically. Use structured questionnaires that allow the researcher to quantify pre- or post-categorised answers to questions.

Primary sources: Qualitative

Identify and explore mutually related variables about human behaviour (motivations, opinions, attitudes). Asks questions - ‘What is the nature and causes of the problem?” and “What are the consequences to affected group?” Use flexible techniques – loosely structured interviews with open-ended questions, focus group discussions, and participant observation. Produce qualitative data often recorded in narrative form.

METHODS TO COLLECTMETHODS TO COLLECTPRIMARY DATAPRIMARY DATA

1. Interviews2. Questionnaires3. Experiment4. Case Study5. Observation

However, for a small-scale social sciences study, the most commonly used methods are interviews, questionnaires and observations.

Effective way of gathering information

INTERVIEW

Involves verbal and non-verbal communications

Can be conducted face to face, by telephone,

online or through mail

Both Autism and Asperger’s syndrome are increasingly referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders, in that they cause delays in typical development of a child across a broad range of areas. Asperger's syndrome is at the milder end of this spectrum. These disorders begin in early childhood and continue through to adult life. They affect three crucial areas of development, which are sometimes referred to as the triad of impairments: • Verbal and nonverbal communication• Social interaction• Imaginative or creative play.

Source: http://www.autism-help.org/introduction-asperger-autism.htm

ACTIVITY: Class – read aloud

Go to this website and read the article.

http://theautismnews.com/2012/03/15/child-with-autism-accused-of-shoplifting-from-boynton-mall-store/

ACTIVITY: Individual task

If you were a police officer,

1)Who are you going to interview?2)What are 3 questions you would like to ask during the interview?

ACTIVITY: Teamwork

o To avoid misleading answers by interviewees:

Introduce purpose of study

adequately. Phrase questions on sensitive

issues in a positive way.

o Take sufficient time for the interview.

o Assure confidentiality.

o Information bias; Quality of data, missing cases.

Prepare your interview schedule

Select your subjects/ key informants

Conduct the interview

Analyze and interpret data collected from the interview

EFFECTIVE INTERVIEW

Observe verbal & non-verbal communication, surrounding atmosphere,

culture & situation

Observations

Need to keep meticulous records of

the observations

Can be done through discussions,observations of habits, rituals,

review of documentation,experiments

ACTIVITY: Individual task

Watch this video clip. Note down your observation.

Can you come up with suggestions and/ or conclusionsbased on your observation notes?

If yes, what are they?

If no, why?

ACTIVITY: Teamwork

To avoid observer bias:

See or hear things of interest and miss critical information.Need observation guidelines to conduct loosely structured interviews. Data collectors work in pairs to discuss and interpret data immediately after collecting it (while the information is freshly memorized).

Determine what needs to be observed(Plan, prepare checklist, how to record data)

Select your participantsRandom/Selected

Conduct the observation(venue, duration, recording materials, take photographs )

Analyze and interpret data collected

Compile data collected

EFFECTIVE OBSERVATION

The most common data collection instrument

Questionnaire

Useful to collect quantitative and qualitative

information

Contain 3 important elements:1. Introduction – to explain the objectives

2. Instructions – must be clear, simple language & short3. User-friendly – avoid difficult or ambiguous questions

Basic terminologies:

Scales of measurement – nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio Sample and population Sampling methods Reliability and validity Normal distribution Hypotheses testing Tests of significance Interpretation of data

Basic types of survey Basic types of survey questionsquestions

1. Open-ended Questions◦ Free-

response (Text Open End)

◦ Fill-in relevant information

2. Close-ended Questions◦ Dichotomous

question◦ Multiple-choice◦ Rank◦ Scale◦ Categorical◦ Numerical

Take out the questionnaire you found from the Internet.Compare the questionnaire that you found with your teammembers. Choose the best one to illustrate the differenttypes of survey questions in that questionnaire.

ACTIVITY: Teamwork

Defective questionnaires:

- fixed or closed questions asking ‘wrong things’- open-ended questions without guidelines- vague questions- leading questions- double barrel questions- questions not in sequence- weighing scales not standardised

Prepare your survey questions(Formulate & choose types of questions, order them,

write instructions, make copies)

Select your respondents/samplingRandom/Selected

Administer the survey questionnaire(date, venue, time )

Analyze and interpret data collected

Tabulate data collected (Statistical analysis-frequency/mean/correlation/% )

EFFECTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE

Any questions so far?

To be continued…

DATA ANALYSISDATA ANALYSIS

3. In a small scale study, the most common forms of statistical analysis presented are:

•Frequency•Mean•Percentage

1. To analyse data from interviews and observation, use

Summary sheet

Checklist

2. To analyse data from questionnaires, use

Manually

SPSS

DATA INTERPRETATIONDATA INTERPRETATION

1. It involves 2 terms• ‘Results’ – presentation of data/findings (statistics)• ‘Discussion’ – interpretation of data/findings

2. Things to consider when interpreting your data:• Interpret findings based on the purpose and objectives of your study• Relate the findings to real life context• Use persuasive language to convince your readers to see the research from your point of view.• Order your interpretation to highlight the most important findings• Include limitations to your research.• Use simple, clear language

THANK YOU