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