Dr Hilary Engward
Hilary Engward session 1
Hilary Engward session 1
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In twos:
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Write a definition of research
Explain when you use research
Do you question that research?
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10 mins
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Hilary Engward session 1
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To investigate thoroughly
Research is a systematic methodical and
ethical; research can help solve practical
problems and increase knowledge
 What models of research have you heard/read
about?
 Note – you will need to understand all in
order to meet the learning outcomes
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Hilary Engward session 1
Review or synthesize existing knowledge
Investigate existing situations or problems
Provide solutions to problems
Explore and analyse more general issues
Construct or create new procedures or
systems
Explain new phenomenon
Generate new knowledge
…or a combination of any of the above!
(Collis & Hussey, 2003)
Hilary Engward session 1
Research can be approached in the following
ways:
Quantitative/Qualitative
Deductive/Inductive
Research projects can combine a
number of approaches, e.g. may
use both quantitative and
qualitative approaches
Hilary Engward session 1
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Quantitative
collecting and
analysing numerical data;
Questions tend to be
interrogative to ask a
question what is the
relationship……..
It concentrates on
measuring the scale, range,
frequency etc. of
phenomena.
detailed and results can be
collated and presented
statistically.
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Qualitative
Inquiry into social
phenomena to discover
patterns/relationships
Subjective aspects of
phenomena e.g. values,
attitudes, perceptions.
to describe and explain
what is happening in
relation to social
participants.
Detailed explanations of
patterns in social
phenomena
Hilary Engward session 1
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General Idea
Particular Situation
Particular is deduced from the
general
Deductive
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Particular Situation
General Idea
Particular to infer
ideas/theories
Inductive
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A clear theoretical position prior to
collection of data: definitions of
‘professional’ from
literature/professional associations.
You would then test this definition on a
range of people, may be using a
questionnaire/ structured
interviews/group discussion.
Select a sample of people on the basis
of age, gender, occupation etc.
The data gathered could then be
collated and the results analysed and
presented.
This approach offers a relatively easy
and systematic way of testing
established ideas on a range of people.
Deductive Approach
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start by talking to a range of people
asking for their ideas and definitions of
professional’
From these discussions (data) you could
start to assemble the common
elements/themes
Then you might compare these with
definitions from professional
associations.
might lead you to arrive at a new
definition of the word – or
it might not!
Can be very time-consuming, but the
reward might be a fresh way of looking
at the subject.
Inductive Approach
Hilary Engward session 1
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Research is not ‘neutral’,
Positivist:
Objectivist
Interests,
values,
assumption
s, aims,
funding,
context….
Interpretive:
Subjectivist/
humanist/
phenomenological
Hilary Engward session 1
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methodology - the overall approaches &
perspectives to the research
Why you collected certain data
What data you collected
Where you collected it
How you collected it
How you analysed it
(Collis & Hussey, 2003, p.55).
Hilary Engward session 1
Positivistic
 Surveys
 Experimental
Studies
 Longitudinal
Studies
 Cross-sectional
Studies
Interpretive
 Case Studies
 Action Research
 Phenomology
 Ethnography
Feminist
 Grounded Theory
Systematic review (SR)
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Research method refers only to the various
specific tools or ways data can be collected
and analysed
questionnaire
Interview
observation
Hilary Engward session 1
Hypothesis: statement of prediction/relationship
between variables
Null Hypothesis: statement of no relationship
Epistemology - methodology
Hypothesis
Theory
Null
Hypothesis
Method
Findings
(falsification)
Epistemology: Positivist
Methodology/method: experiment, survey, observation
Analysis: numerical/statistical – descriptive or inferential
(testing hypothesis
•t test for differences between groups
•Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Hilary Engward session 1
•Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA)
Broad question – how do?
Looks for patterns in data
Open ended, exploratory
Epistemology – methodology - method
Research
interest
Data
collection
Pattern
finding
Formative
theory
Epistemology: interpretive
Methodology: Grounded Theory, Phenomenology,
Ethnography
Methods: Observation, interview, case study
Analysis: qualitative data analysis (QDA), content
analysis. Thematic analysis, Hilary
narrative
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Styles of research are independent of
professional boundaries…….
Why?
Hilary Engward session 1
Systematic Review (SR
Hilary Engward session 1
Evidence that what you did caused what you observed
In this
study
• What you
do:
• Method
• What you
see
Observation
• ?cause and
possible
alternatives
But this does not tell you that this was what was intended to be
observed – construct validity – more on this in later sessions
Hilary Engward session 1
What is the focus of your
potential research going to
Literature – what's
be???
known about your
Measurement
s of
intelligibility:
Reliability
Research
Episte Problem
molog
y
research interest?
Methodolo
gy
Method
Sample
Analysis
Validity
Trustworthin
ess
Transferabilit
y
Hilary Engward session 1
Findings
Written assignment: 6,000 words
Literature Review and Research Proposal
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Date of submission
in MG
Place of submission
Electronic
Submission via Grademark (see appendix 1
in module guide)
Hilary Engward session 1
Research Process and Module Learning Outcomes
Research interest
LO1,2 &4
Review of Literature
Very important for
LO2
Philosophical or
Epistemological Stance
Very important for
LO1
Choice of method
LO1,2 &4
Choice of
Methodology
LO1,2 &4
H Engward research Studies lecture
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Hilary Engward session 1
Research question/
Purpose
LO1,2 &4
Research design
LO1,2,3 &4
Ethics in Research
Very important for
LO3
21
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Demonstrate a critical understanding of
alternative epistemological perspectives
relating to theory, design and analysis in
research for health and social care,
professional practice, regulation and policy
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Critically analyse relevant literature to justify
the significance of the proposed study and
the appropriateness of the chosen research
methodology
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Critically debate the ethical issues related to
research
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Evaluate and apply the principles of research
design and strategy to formulate a research
proposal
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Option A Research Proposal
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Option B Systematic Review Proposal
Please refer to module guide for details and
guidance.
Please follow the structure of Option A and B
as per module guide.
Hilary Engward session 1
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Follow the headings listed in the module guide p. 7:
Title
Abstract
Introduction (rationale for proposed study)
Literature Review
Methodology
Research Design
Access and Ethical Issues
Limitations
Dissemination
Reference list
Appendices
Hilary Engward session 1
Use the headings listed p. 10:
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Title
Introduction (rationale for proposed study)
Literature Review: this needs to include a scoping review.
Methodology: Research Protocol
Research Design
Access and Ethical Issues
Limitations
Dissemination
Reference list
Appendices
Hilary Engward session 1
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The Literature Search allows a researcher to
gain support for the research
purpose/question and establishes a need to
investigate an issue
Essential in formulating a research
question/hypothesis
Essential for LO2
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A research proposal to investigate a specific, clearly stated,
research problem.
Your work should address the following:
Reason/ rationale for investigation of the research problem.
A background/ contextualization of the research topic.
The design of the research, which demonstrates the logic
linking of the methodological approach and research design
appropriate to the research question.
Methods selected for the collection of data and data analysis,
with discussion as to their appropriateness over alternatives
(strengths and limitations of the chosen approach).
Ethical implications and procedures
Reliability and validity/trustworthiness issues
Suggestions for dissemination of findings and any potential
implication for policy and practice.
Hilary Engward session 1
Which option will you do:
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Option A: Primary
Option B: SR
What types of things might you look at?
 What are you interested in?
 Why?
 What is the problem?
Hilary Engward session 1
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Check your TT on E vision
Access the VLE: Download Module Guide
Access Turnitin
Check library access. Consider booking a
session with a librarian.
E mail hilary.engward@anglia.ac.uk from your
student account
Check out my tutorial times and book in
Hilary Engward session 1
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Think about possible research areas – we will explore these next week (and
every week)
Read:
 Ridge, T., 2011. The everyday costs of poverty in childhood: A review of
qualitative research exploring the lives and experiences of low-income
children in the UK Children & Society, 25, pp 73-84
 Look for an easy to follow, research textbook – see reading list for examples.
Hilary Engward session 1