PS114 Research Methods in Psychology

Answer to Activity 1

The qualitative research can be rightfully outlined to be a research which is involved in collecting and assessing the non-numerical data such as that which involves text or a video. The focus of the qualitative research lies in understanding the different concepts, opinions and overall experiences relating to the domain of the study. According to Choy  (2014), a qualitative research is most popularly used to gather in-depth insights into a particular problem and to generate new ideas for the purpose of the research. The type of research is common in the domain of humanities and social sciences such as sociology, health sciences and education. Some of the most common approaches used in qualitative research work can be identified as the grounded theory, ethnography, action research, narrative research and the phenomenological research.

The quantitative research can be identified to be a procedure of collecting as well as assessing numerical data to find patterns, make predictions and generalize results for the wider population.  Here, it is largely focused on quantifying the collection and the analysis of the data. It is essentially formed using a deductive approach whereby the placement is done on theory and other philosophies

Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research

The prime difference which exists between these two concepts can be identified to be the fact that the qualitative research is mostly used to understand concepts and experiences to make in-depth observations through open ended questions and observations. On the other hand, the quantitative research is focused on providing some facts through statistical means.

On the other hand, the quantitative research may be identified as a research which is usually carried out by expressing it through graphs and statistics. The focus of the quantitative research lies in confirming the different theories and assumptions. These research domains are generally carried out to establish facts associated with a topic. According to Dźwigoł and Dźwigoł-Barosz, (2018), some of the most common quantitative methods comprise of experiments, observations and surveys.

Ontology and Epistemology

According to Braun and Clarke (2013), qualitative research is often based on social research theories and hence, the ontology and epistemology formulate an effective part of it. The ontology primarily refers to the aspects which exist in the social world and the assumptions formed about the social reality. It is largely focused on understanding the existence of social reality through idealism, realism and materialism.  On the other hand, epistemology is mostly concerned with the nature of knowledge and the ways of understanding about social reality. The perspectives in epistemology comprise of the passivism and interpretivism.

Answer to Activity 2

Research question: What influences students’ experiences of resilience to exam stress at university?

Part 1

The question which has been framed for the purpose of the research is largely based on understanding the different factors which have a critical influence on the overall experience of a student with respect to the resilience to the exam stress which generally talks place at the Universities. Here, the study probably aims to gain an understanding of how these factors affect the resilience with respect to being positive or negative in nature and the manner in which each factor has an influence on the student’s experience of resilience with respect to the exam stress which affects them (Flick, 2015).

Hence, this is a commonly researched topic and may have widely available literature available for it. In this regard, the most suitable search strategy for the topic may be identified to be associated with the use of an organized structure of key terms to look out for research in a data base. The suitable search strategy in this scenario may essentially comprise of the terms such as ‘exam stress’, ‘student experience’, ‘resilience to exam stress’, ‘stress at the university’, ‘factors affecting student performance’ amongst others. By making use of these types of research key terms, the author would be successful in their endeavor to find related data to the topic. A good approach to researching on this topic may also be associated to the use of a systematic literature review.

Part 2

As the research is largely focused on finding the overall manner in which certain factors have a significant influence on the student stress resilience, the research can take the form of a primary quantitative research. Hence, using a survey questionnaire to collect the data  from the participants can be the most suited strategy which would provide the desired results. In this regard, it is relevant to note that, the most suitable sample audience to answer this research question would be the students at the University (Kumar, 2018). As the question is centered around University students, it is essential to note that they would be the most suitable audience for the research and would assist the researcher in finding the desired answers to the given research question.  A simple random probability method would have been well suited for the research and helped in choosing students from the University to gain an understanding about the situation associated with the exam stress. Hence, by using the simple random probability method of sampling, each student at a chosen university would have the probable opportunity to be selected for the study.

The inclusion and exclusion criteria’s may be rightly identified as certain criteria’s which are essentially set by a researcher to select the participants for the purpose of the study to meet the needs of the sample audience set earlier. For this sample, the inclusion criteria may be students studying in the University undertaking a graduate or post graduate course. An exclusion criterion would be students who have not attended the University (Malterud, 2001).

 Answer to Activity 3

The online forums usually act as a common ground for discussion and considerations which take place on several topics between participants without a particular context and with complete consent. Here, it is essential to underline that the topics which are generally being discussed are focused around the personal opinions of the participants which are just given for general purpose. Hence, the first issue of using this form of a data for the purpose of the research data in a study, may be identified to be the biasness involved in the research(Mangal  & Mangal, 2013). In this context, it may be noted that as the discussion forums are essentially aimed at providing personal viewpoints and if the research is based on this data then here the research would also be involving a biased point of view as the opinions stated are without a specific purpose or the preconceived notion about the research context. Secondly, another disadvantage of making use of the data available on the internet forums can be identified to be related to the fact that they may obligate the privacy of the participants. When the online participants tend to participate in the different decision making and expression of the opinions on the online forums, then they do so for personal reasons and not necessarily to contribute their opinions for a research. (Sullivan & Forrester, 2018). Here it is significant to note that, very often the data from the online portals are collected without the consent of the different participants which then breaches the ethical principles and participant consent. Hence, while collecting data associated with these mediums, the researcher would be required to see to it that he/she is obtaining the consent of the different participants as involved in the discussion with the help of which the principles of the internet-based study can be maintained adequately.

Moreover, as per the BPS ethical guidelines including the BPS policy on online data (Ethics Guidelines for Internet-Mediated Research), it has been identified that the main concerns on online portals are related to the respect for autonomy and dignity of the individuals. Very often researchers try to engage in the violation of the same and this may lead to complications. Secondly, social responsibility relating to the proposed research study procedures and dissemination practices have the capability to harm the different participants as involved in the study (Bps.org ,2021). In addition to this, discussion made on the online forums are essentially based on personal viewpoints which as discussed previously may not only be biased but may not be in alignment with facts (Tuohy et al., 2012). Hence, if the internet-based research is adopted as a medium, it may also lead to a risk associated with the validity of the content of the study which may then negatively affect the reliability and the overall authenticity of the study along with a violation of ethical principles related to privacy and the protection of the participants.

Answer to Activity 4

While conducting a research on understanding the student perception on the use of then mobile phones during classes and gain an idea of the logic behind it, I had planned to undertake a primary qualitative research strategy. In this research strategy, I intended on collecting primary data using the medium of interviews. Hence, I planned to take the interview of 5 individuals. In this section, I would be outlining my experience of undertaking an interview session with one such student.

The interview was undertaken via video calling session. The experience could be identified as rather satisfactory however, my student arrived late after the call and therefore, I left a large amount of time waiting which thereby had a critical influence on reflexivity and my overall perception of the student opinion. I asked some questions on the use and frequency of the mobile phones to the student. According to me, the student was using the mobile phone more than the usual amount and pertaining to this, my perception of him was affected by reflexivity and hence, I got into an argument with the student which thereby caused disruption (Barrett,   Kajamaa,   & Johnston, 2020). However, I realized my stance and took a step back to regain my composure. This enabled me to then rectify my stance and continue with the planned questions.

The materials were essentially useful in assisting me to carry out the research in a systematic manner. Here, when I received a different answer which deviated from my expectant answer list, then in this scenario, I took a moment to refer to my personal materials based on consumer behavior and the use of mobile phones amongst students and asked the next line of questions accordingly. In association with this, I was able to gain meaningful insights about the overall social behavior of the different students which enables them to make use of the mobile phones. This provided me with useful insights and greatly contributed to the purpose of the research. Although the related interview went well in terms of context, however, due to the video calling the line got disconnected quite often and in this context, this caused a sense of dissatisfaction between me and the interviewee. Here, I tied to erase the lack of satisfaction by offering the participant with a thank you note for his overall contribution.

Hence, I can say that the interview went well and proved to be a unique experience for me. In the future, I intend to use these skills and capabilities which would help me in conducting a better research procedure.

Answer to Activity 5

The article which has been chose  for the purpose of the analysis can be rightfully identified as the ‘Knizek BL, Akotia CS, Hjelmeland H. A qualitative study of attitudes toward suicide and suicide prevention among psychology students in Ghana. Omega (Westport). 2010-2011;62(2):169-86. doi: 10.2190/om.62.2.e. PMID: 21375120.’

Part 1

The article is based on a unique research topic based on understanding the attitude of the different students towards suicide and its prevention in Ghana. The suicide behavior tendencies need to be identified in a significant manner and pertaining to this, the article was largely successful in ensuring that the behavioral tendencies is best understood by the readers and the psychology students are well assisted in their endeavor to support individuals with such tendencies.

Preventing the suicide can be understood to be an integral part of the moral duty which an individual possesses and as it has a significant association with the overall psychology of an individual and hence gaining an idea about the same can be identified to be helpful in ensuring better outcomes and mote lives being saved (Ngozwana, 2018).

The paper elucidated on the different factors and aspects affecting the overall attitude of the individual and in this context, can be termed to be of high quality. In this association, it is essential to note that, several examples of cases and the impact of religion on the understanding the consequences of suicide have been discussed explicitly.  The research question applied to the study can be identified to be the identification of the students towards suicide and their perspective towards the prevention. The students of a University in Ghana had been targeted which appears to be appraise using open ended questions.  The quality of a research is determined by its accuracy, and the unbiased information it provides. Moreover, substantial evidence to support the claims made must be given. The article by ensuring a substantial sample size, focused research question and several evidences to support the claims ensures high quality measures.

Part 2

A dissemination plan may be rightfully outlined as a strategy using which a researcher would be successfully able to disseminate the research findings and outcomes in a manner such that those in practice or the target audience towards whom the paper is intended towards would have access to it. Here, the dissemination ensures that the article is largely available on as many profiles as required for better popularity and usefulness. Hence, as the article is based on suicide preventions, it can be believed to be of the utmost importance and hence, for its dissemination, it has to be first circulated towards all popular health and science database domains available (Awang, 2012).  This can then be followed by contacting all medical schools as well as Universities around the world. By contacting health domain and all Universities, the article would be easily disseminated. In addition to this availability on Google scholar is another smart star6egy for faster distribution.

References

Awang, Z., (2012). Research methodology and data analysis second edition. UiTM Press.

Barrett, A., Kajamaa, A., & Johnston, J. (2020). How to… be reflexive when conducting qualitative research. The clinical teacher, 17(1), 9-12.

Bps.org (2021, March 31). Policy and Guidelines. BPS Organization https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/files/Policy/Policy%20-%20Files/Ethics%20Guidelines%20for%20Internet-mediated%20Research%20%282017%29.pdf

Clarke, V. and Braun, V. (2013) Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners. London: Sage. ISBN 9781847875815

Choy, L.T., (2014). The strengths and weaknesses of research methodology: Comparison and complimentary between qualitative and quantitative approaches. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 19(4), pp.99-104.  e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845

DźwigoÅ‚, H. & DźwigoÅ‚-Barosz, M., (2018). Scientific research methodology in management sciences. Financial and credit activity: problems of theory and practice, 2(25), pp.424-437. DOI: 10.18371/fcaptp.v2i25.136508

Flick, U., (2015). Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research project. Second edition Uwe Flick - Freie Universtität Berlin, Germany.

 Kumar, R., (2018). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage. 4^th Edition.

Malterud, K. (2001). Qualitative research: standards, challenges and guidelines. Lancet, 358, 483-88.

Mangal, S.K. & Mangal, S., (2013). Research methodology in behavioural sciences. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.

Ngozwana, N., (2018). Ethical Dilemmas in Qualitative Research Methodology: Researcher's Reflections. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 4(1), pp.19-28.  

Sullivan, C., & Forrester, M. A. (2018). Doing Qualitative Research in Psychology. London: SAGE Publications.

Tuohy, D., Cooney, A., Dowling, M., Murphy, K. & Sixsmith, J., (2012). An overview of interpretive phenomenology as a research methodology. Nurse Researcher  20(6):17-20

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