Research Methods 3

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Research Methods 3

• Collecting, Processing and Analyzing Data

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Aims of the Session

• The purpose of this session is to
• Make you aware of the different techniques that
  you might use in collecting, presenting and
  analysing data

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The Different Types of Research

• Here we look at the different options available
  to us in carrying out the research.

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Your Research Focus

• The main focus of your research can be either
• Product-based Research, focusing on producing a
  piece of hardware or software (or the designs for
  them) which is at the cutting edge of a
  discipline, drawing on other researchers ideas,
  best practice and what is feasible. In doing
  this, you may need to explore how the product
  will enmesh with current systems, and existing
  and future technologies.

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Your Research Focus

• People-based research, focusing on the people who
  interact with the hardware or software, looking
  at issues such as usability, user behaviour,
  compatibility of software with current user
  systems and other HCI issues.
• Both of these approaches are legitimate, and it
  is possible that in carrying out your research
  you might need to use elements of each one.

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Product v. PeopleWhich focus?

• The focus of your research is normally decided by
  you.
• It will depend upon how confident you are in
  creating a product at the cutting edge, or how
  comfortable you will be as a researcher in
  dealing with people.
• When you frame your research questions, you need
  to ensure that their focus leads you into the
  kind of research that you want to do.

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Product v. PeopleWhich focus?

• There is no right answer, but you may find that
  your research will be best carried out by using a
  main focus of one element, with a subsidiary
  focus of another. For example producing a piece
  of software which securely encodes personal data
  as a self-encrypting and decrypting file stored
  on an ID card, may well need trialling with real
  people.

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Approaches to Research

• There are two main approaches to doing research
• Quantitative Research looks for hard numerical
  data it proceeds by counting, measuring and
  summarising. The goal is to look for statistical
  significance in the results.
• Qualitative Research takes a soft approach to
  data, and has a more descriptive feel. It
  attempts to get to the heart of the matter,
  exploring individual cases in detail, and seeking
  the reasons for behaviour and explanations for
  events.

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Approaches to Research

• Both of these approaches are legitimate, and it
  is possible to combine elements.

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Quantitative v. QualitativeWhich approach?

• The approach you use will depend upon your topic
  and your research questions.
• It will also depend upon how comfortable you as a
  researcher feel about using these methods.
• There is no right answer here, and, as we shall
  see in the rest of this presentation, there may
  be good reasons for adopting a variety of
  methods, which encompass both quantitative and
  qualitative approaches

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Types of Research

• There are four main types of research that you
  might consider
• Experimental Research
• Survey Research
• Evaluative Research
• Observational Research
• All four of these types can incorporate both
  quantitative and qualitative approaches

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Experimental Research

• This is normally quantitative, but can take two
  forms
• An attempt to produce a piece of hardware,
  software or a combination of both, which is at
  the cutting edge of a discipline.
• An attempt to investigate and document the
  performance of a particular piece technology in
  specific circumstances.

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Experimental Research

• This might involve
• Creating hardware or software applications
• Devising detailed tests and evaluation procedures
• Carrying out rigorous testing
• Evaluating performance or usability

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Survey Research

• This research can be qualitative or
  quantitative in the widest sense, you are
  interviewing people. This might involve
• An unstructured interview
• A semi-structured interview
• An structured interview based on questionnaire
  (face to face, or by telephone)
• An administered questionnaire
• A Postal Questionnaire

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Evaluative Research

• This is primarily qualitative. Here you are
  trying to assess whether something is of value,
  whether it meets its specifications, or whether
  it is fit-for-purpose. This might involve
• Developing a list of criteria on which to make
  judgements
• Examining the object against each of the criteria
  to judge to what extent it conforms to
  expectations
• Weighing the positives and the negatives, coming
  to overall conclusions
• Matching these judgments against similar
  judgements made elsewhere in the literature or in
  real life.

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Observational Research

• This research normally uses a qualitative
  approach in the widest sense, you are recording
  peoples behaviour. This might involve
• Participating in a task or situation
• Making field notes of experiences
• Creating and using an Observation Schedule
• Making a check-list of occurrences of particular
  events or items.

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Research possibilities
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Other Forms of Research

• Historical Documentary Research proceeds by
  scrutinising existing materials, both written and
  artefacts, using them as sources of evidence.
• Action Research is normally conducted in an
  educational or political context. Action is
  taken, monitored, evaluated and then modified for
  the next cycle.
• Ethnographic Research consists of an in-depth
  study of a cultural phenomenon, in order to
  generate new theory.
• Case Study Research selects a whole range of
  research methods in scrutinising one particular
  context or situation.

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Research methods 1References (SW Library)

• Crabtree, Benjamin F. - Doing qualitative
  research. - London Sage, 1992. - (Research
  Methods for Primary Care 3). - 0803943121
• Creswell, John W.. - Research design
  qualitative and quantitative approaches / John W.
  Creswell. - Thousand Oaks, Calif London Sage,
  1994. - 0803952554
• Creswell, John W.. - Qualitative inquiry and
  research design choosing among five traditions
  / J. - Thousand Oaks, Calif. London SAGE,
  1998. - 0761901434

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Research methods 2References (SW Library)

• Miller, Delbert Charles. - Handbook of research
  design and social measurement. - 3rd ed. - New
  York David McKay Co . Inc, 1977. - m0859739
• Research methods in education and the social
  sciences / Research Methods in. - Block 3B
  Research design. - Milton Keynes Open
  University Press, 1983. - (DE304, Block 3B 3B).
  - 0335074235
• Yin, Robert K.. - Case study research design
  and methods. - Rev. ed. - Newbury Park London
  Sage, 1989. - (Applied social research methods
  series v.5). - 080393470x