Answer to Question #170891 in Statistics and Probability for james gatare

Question

1.     Explain how research can be classified on the basis of (10 Marks):

a) Purpose    b) Method

2. Explain and distinguish how validity and reliability can be established between quantitative research and qualitative research (10 Marks)

3. Using examples, explain and distinguish between a theoretical framework and a conceptual framework in research (10 Marks)

4. Using examples, explain how different research designs determine different sampling methods (10 Marks)

 

5.     Citing examples, discuss the key unique features of social science research in distinction from the pure/applied sciences (10 Marks)

Answer 1

1)

(a) Research on the basis of purpose:-

Basic research is vconducted solely for the purpose of theory development and refinement. Applies research is conducted for the purpose of applying ad testing theory and evaluating its usefullness in educational problems.

Research by Method:-

Descriptive research provides information about conditions, situations, and events that occur in the present. It is also called statistical research.

(2) Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings. Quantitative methods allow you to test a hypothesis by systematically collecting and analyzing data, while qualitative methods allow you to explore ideas and experiences in depth.

Reliability and validity are concepts used to evaluate the quality of research. They indicate how well a method, technique or test measures something. Reliability is about the consistency of a measure, and validity is about the accuracy of a measure.

(3) The theoretical framework provides a general representation of relationships between things in a given phenomenon. The conceptual framework, on the other hand, embodies the specific direction by which the research will have to be undertaken. ... It also outlines the input, process and output of the whole investigation.

(4) In research terms a sample is a group of people, objects, or items that are taken from a larger population for measurement. The sample should be representative of the population to ensure that we can generalise the findings from the research sample to the population as a whole.

(5) The distinguishing characteristics of social science research include: Collaboration with colleagues to gather data and publish research. Reliance upon raw data such as statistics, survey results, observations, and interviews.

Social science, which is generally regarded as including psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics and political science, consists of the disciplined and systematic study of society and its institutions, and of how and why people behave as they do, both as individuals and in groups within society.