Post on 04-Jan-2016
EDUC 894Week 2
Contrasting Research Traditions
Plan for TodayReport-OutsClass Discussions
Research TraditionsHuman Subjects Issues
GroupworkResearch Planning Worksheet
----------Dinner Break-------------Wiki Tips & OrganizationGroupwork
Wiki organizationPractical research planningDraft research questions due next weekResearch questions and approach report due
in 2 weeks
Group Report OutWhat is your general project topic?What is the specific problem / issue you are
addressing?What is your team currently thinking in
terms of a research approach?Where you are at in terms of getting
subjects?
Ontology - The Nature of “Reality”
RealismThere is an independently existing “objective” reality.
Idealism“Reality” exists only in our minds
Epistemology - The Nature of Knowledge and Meaning
1. Objectivism Meaning exists in the world.
2. Constructionism Meaning comes from our interactions with the world (and others).
3. SubjectivismWe impose meaning on the world.
Some Objectivist Research Traditions
Postivism An independent reality exists and we can
learn about it through empirical investigation.
Post-positivism An independent reality exists but we can only
know it indirectly. Big focus on the process of inference and warranting knowledge claims.
Some Constructionist Research Traditions
Phenomenology The study of lived experience from the
perspective of those who experience it (Trying to make meaning of a phenomenon)
Hermenuetics Interpretation of signs and symbols as systems of
meanings as they are used (Trying to make meaning of a symbol system)
Ethnography Study of how people in a group manage and
organize their lives as social actors (Trying to make meaning of a culture)
Some Subjectivist Research Traditions
Post-modernist Research constructs, rather than reveals, meaning.
Focus on subjectivity and plurality of meaning across (and within) participants and the researcher.
Structuralist & Post-structuralist The study of how meaning is produced within a
culture through its structures (linguistic, psychological, sociological). Post-structuralism does not assume critiques structuralist assumptions that structures are unitary, uncontentious and timeless
Critical Inquiry & FeministDriven by a concern with existing power
inequalities, actively promotes social change, often begins begins with the standpoints and experiences of the less powerful
Of Course It’s Not Really that Simple…
Objectivism
Subjectivism
Constructionism
Positivism
Phenomenology
Post-positivism
Design Based Research
Ethnography
Feminist Research
Critical Inquiry
Questionnaires
Documents
Observation
Interviews
Theme Analysis
Thick Description
Inferential Statistics
Descriptive Statistics
The Key is Consistency & Alignment
Epistemology
Epistemology
Research Approach
Topic / ProblemTopic /
Problem
Methodology
Methodology
Data Collection
Knowledge Claims
Knowledge Claims
Data Analysis
Research Questions
using the logic of
answer
Contrasting the ApproachesObjectivism Constructionsi
mSubjectivism
Goal: Explanation Exploration Empowerment
Looking for:
Truth Understanding Progress
Subjectivity:
Error Embrace Multiple Perspectives
Specific Perspective
Look at: States (static) Processes (active)
Processes (active)
Design is: Pre-planned Emergent Emergent
Logic: Causal, “hard” Constraining Factors, “Soft”
Constraining Factors, “Soft”
Extrapolation:
Generalization (given representative sampling)
Lessons learned, “petite generalizations”
Lessons learned, “petite generalizations”
Kinds of Questions
“Does…”“What…”
“How…” “How…”
Some things to think aboutWhat do you want to be able to say when
you are done?
Think about what approach makes sense in terms of the kinds of questions you will ask:“Does…”, “What….” (Objectivist)“How does…” (Constructionist / Subjectivist)“How can…”? (DBR)
Research Ethics – Key ConceptsInformed Consent
What informationHow to consent
Right to WithdrawRisks versus Benefits
Evaluating the trade-offAnticipating & minimizing the riskInforming the subjects
ConfidentialityData storage and collectionConflict of interest
OversightCourse “review board”Providing my contact information