Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Methodology
Milagros Rabe,M.D., M.S., Ph.D.
Chapter 2: Methodology
Research Locale
Identify the area where the research will be conducted
Research Subjects
Give the characteristics of your subjects
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Research Tools
Describe your tool, give the index of reliability (if
questionnaire); how your tool is validated (if not a standard
tool)
Plan of Analysis
Describe how you will analyze the data;
If quantitative; give the confidence level at which you will consider if
significant
If 95% confidence only 5% error; alpha= 0.05; significant if p value< 0.05
Research Design
Approach or strategy
Quantitative
Qualitative
literature
Research
area
topic
context
Research
questions
hypotheses
What data
are required
to test
hypotheses
Design
Data
Collection
Data
Analysis
Empirical stage
Answer
questions
Modified from : Punch, K. (2006) Developing
Effective Research Proposals 2nd ed.
Variables
Dependent vs independent
Quantitative vs. categorical
Approaches to a research
problem:
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research
Generation of models,
theories, hypothesis and
refinement/ testing of
hypothesis
establishes
relationship/causation
development of
instruments and
methods of
measurement
experimental control
Generation of theories
describes meaning
based on multiple
realities based on
subjects perceptions
less stringent control
Analytic
Observational
Test relationship between study variables without
manipulation of the variables
Experimental
Artificial manipulation of the study variables to test a
hypothesis
Strategies: Observational
analytic studies
Cohort
Compare the occurrence of the dependent
variable or effect between those with and
those without the independent variable (cause)
under investigation
Study design
Descriptive study
Cross sectional
study
Cohort study
Experimental study
Sample selection
Descrip
-tive
Cross
sectiona
l
Case
control
Cohort Experimental
Adequate sample
size
Representative
Control group
Similarity of
comparison groups
Requirements
Counts
One population problem (descriptive)
n= k2pq/d2
Two different populations (analytic)
n=k22pq/d2
where:
n= sample size
k= reliability coefficient based on level of confidence
p= estimate frequency of event
q = 1-p
d= max amt of deviation of from true frequency or
Min difference between frequencies to be detected
(in 2 populations)
n= sample size
N= population size
e= margin of error
Types of data
Qualitative
Nominal- categories based on qualitative
classes; eg. Gender, race
Quantitative
Ordinal classes can be ranked; eg.
Nutritional status,
Interval zero point is arbitrary; eg. Temp,
exam score
Ratio- zero point is fixed; eg. Age, height
Data Analysis
Based on:
Objectives and research design
Scale of measurement/type of data
Qualitative Research
Inductive approach
Qualitative analysis techniques (eg. content analysis;
thematic analysis)
http://charlesdennishale.com/books/eets_ap/9_Qualita
tive_Research_Designs.pdf
Rated Responses
A popular approach in the social sciences is to use Likert
scales such as the example below:
(Circle the number under the initials that applies. VI=Very
important; I=Important; N=Neutral; U=Unimportant;
VU=Very Unimportant).
Community life
Low cost
Outdoor life
Ability to move around
VI
I N
U VU
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
5
5
5
5
Note that each of the four rows will form a separate variable
that contains the appropriate numeric code from 1 to 5.
Double-barreled questions
ask two questions in one, should never be
used in a survey.
An example of a double barreled question is,
"Please rate how strongly you agree or
disagree with the following statement:
'I feel good about my work on the job, and I get
along well with others at work.'"
If Qualitative study
Determine key informants
Data saturation
How to interview
Letter of request for schedule
Interview questions
Observations
Use of checklist
Use of narrative observations no
explanations; just write observations
Reminders
Review higher-order
concerns:
Clear communication of
ideas
Organization of paper
Paragraph structure
grammar
Unity & Cohesion
Modified from
Http:// owl.english.purdue.edu
References:
American Psychological Association. (2001).
Publication Manual 5th ed. Washington DC:
author.
Calderon, J.F. and Gonzales, E.C.(1993). Methods of
Research and Thesis Writing. Mandaluyong City:
National Bookstore, Inc.
Glatthorn, A. A. & Joyner, R. L. (2005). Writing the
Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step by Step
Guide. 2nd ed. California: Corwin Press
Marshall C. & Rossman G. B. (1999). Designing
Qualitative Research. 3rd ed. California: Sage
Publications
References:
Menasche, L. (1997). Writing a Research Paper,
Revised Edition. Michigan: University of
Michigan Press.
Sanchez, Jr., F.S., Morelos, S.I., Baltazar, J.C. &
Peralta, P.C.(1996). Research Methods inHealth
and Medicine, 3rd ed. Manila: PCHRD-DOST.
Thomas, S.J. (1999). Designing Surveys That Work.
California: Corwin Press
Zulueta, F.M. and Costales, Jr. N.E.B. (2003)
Methods of Research Thesis-Writing and Applied
Statistics. Mandaluyong City: National Bookstore,
Inc.
References
www.apa.org
www.aaa.org
http://owl.english.purdue.edu
The Writing Center. Cleveland State University
website
University of Wisconsin- Madison. Writing
Center Handbook
http://charlesdennishale.com/books/eets_ap/9_
Qualitative_Research_Designs.pdf(electronic
version)