Talk:Formulate Methods

From Design Research Process

discuss:

Methods : Software

• questioning methodology
• grounded theory method : Atlas.ti
• laddering technique : Mecanalyst[1]
• card sorting : Excel[2], Websort[3], CardZort[4], IBM EXCalc + USort[5]
• contextual inquiry
• scenario based design
• photo elicitation

• cognitive walkthrough : Morae[6]
• shadow

3 KEY METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

3 key methodological approaches to research

1. Positivist 2. Interpretive 3. Critical

POSITIVIST Positivists believe that research is used to uncover the general laws of cause and effect in social behaviour. Positivist approach understands that the world is knowable and reproduceable. Studies are often initiated through a hypothesis about a relationship through the measurement of variables. The relationships are then analyzed to find evidence to support or refute the hypothesis. Efforts are then made to reproduce the study to ensure validity through replicating the study on a different but similar population or phenomena. Positivist approaches believe in value free research.

The goal of research is to predict behaviour, to test general theories of behaviour through the testing of a hypothesis

Methods associated with this approach: a- survery b- experiments c- secondary data analysis d- historical analysis e- other quantitative approaches

Theoretical groundings: a- functionalism b- exchange theory c- scientific d- classical conditioning

Critiques of Positivism -critics argue that there is no such thing as value free research is an unattainable goal. -positivism works to support the current social order - the individual experience, subjectivity is ignored

== INTERPRETIVE ==

Interpretive approaches believe that research is a tool for understanding the reality experienced by people. Rather than confine itself to a behavioural phenomenon alone, interpretive approaches examine how people make sense of their lives, how they define their own situations, and how their sense of self develops in interaction of others.

The goal of research is to provide an adequate reflection of peoples experience of the social world, testing grounded theory.

Methods associated with this approach: a- in depth interviews b- participant observation c- fields studies d- document analysis e- other qualitative approaches

Theoretical groundings: a-symbolic interactionism b-ethnomethodology c- grounded theory d-semiotics

Criticism of interpretive approaches -it’s too subjective -some critics reject the idea that all experience is equally valid - this approach does not allow the researcher to make clear generalizations

== CRITICAL ==

Critical approaches to research stress that research should be used as tool to improve the condition of the oppressed.

The goal of this type of research is to improve the social conditions of the oppressed or to achieve a just society – a type of advocacy.

Methods associated with this approach: a- historical research b- comparative interviews c- can be a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches

Theoretical groundings: a- Marxism b- Feminism c- Post colonial theory d- Queer theory e- Critical theory

Criticism of the critical approach - critical approach begins from a general understanding or value which is not value free -researchers may be too selective to prove their or support their value system

SURVEYS

are a method of collecting information by having respondents complete a questionnaire.  A questionnaire is made up of a series of questions where respondents can indicate their answers or make a choice.  The advantage of survery work is that you can collect a great deal of data with less time but data is not always as specific as one needs.  Another advantage to survey work is that it can be generally inexpensive to administer.  Surveys are point in time measurements and are therefore bad at measuring changes over time.

Steps to administering a survey 1 – Establish legitimacy noting who is initiating the survey and why to show how it is credibie.

2 - Keep it Simple questions should be easy to respond to, avoid asking questions that unnecessarily pry into personal affairs

3 – Provide a report to the respondent report findings to respondents – always good to take the data back to those who participated in the survey

4 – Do not pressure respondents to participate always ensure participants that participation is appreciated but that they stop at anytime.

5 – do Quality control spot checks spot check to make sure administrative procedures are being followed. watch out for systematic differences in response rates to sensitive questions

== INTERVIEWS == . There are generally 2 types of interviews: The structured interview, which is similar to a questionnaire that is read to the respondent with set questions already established. The unstructured interview, is set by an interview schedule that simply outlines the areas that are to be probed by the interviewer but does so without set questions.

Interviews are expensive to administer, as such they are normally done when not too many respondents are required and when more in-depth knowledge/data is required. One major advantage is that good rapport built up between the interaction between respondent and interviewer so that if repeated interviews are required it will be possible to maintain high response rates. Respondents can clarify questions and answers better. One major disadvantage is the expense – takes more time, interviewers need proper training, results are usually taped and then transcribed. (NB do not inform interviewers of hypothesis)