CMPDLLM002 Research Methods

1. CMPDLLM002Research Methods Lecture 2:Qualitative Research

2. So far … #1 • Introduction • Nature of research • Definitions • Research as a process • Defining the research problem, Research protocol design, • Undertake research, and document • Classifying Research • The field of research, • The purpose of research • To review existing knowledge, to describe some situation or problems, the construction of something novel, explanation. • The approach to research, • Theoretical, Laboratory experiment, field experiment, case-study and survey. • The nature of research • Pure basic research, Testing of existing theory, • description of the state-of-the-art, specific problem solution. Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 2

3. In This Session … • Types of research methods • Qualitative research • Case-study research • Ethnographic research • Ex-Post Facto (aka Causal Comparative research) • Action research • Observation Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 3

4. Units of Study: Observation & Analysis of Some Individual Unit Person, small group large group, community Methods of Study: Focus upon & analyse in depth some aspect of the unit Diversity of Methods Questionnaire Interview Tests Observation Case Study Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 4

5. Participatory Observation Researcher engaged in activities Anonymity Danger of subjectivity Detached Observation Researcher remains aloof from activities Easier to remain neutral Danger of influencing behaviours Case Study - Types of Observation Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 5

6. Study of Cultures culture is defined in terms of any group that engage in collective social action and display structured patterns of interaction. through the observation of every day behaviours Relativistic Approach (aka situated action theory) the main emphasis is upon capturing the perspective of the individuals being observed relative to the situation. Grounded Theory Approach ideas emerge from the synthesis of the data collected hypothesis generation is a continuous process throughout the time of the study Theory of Reasoned Action “… developed by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen (1975, 1980), derived from previous research that started out as the theory of attitude, which led to the study of attitude and behavior…“ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_reasoned_action Ethnographic Research – Introduction Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 6

7. Causal Comparative Research #1* • Causal-comparative (aka Ex Post Facto) is a research method that can suggest cause and effect between two or more target groups • However, the data have already been generated so you are not manipulating any groups. • You work with the scores that have been produced from records on something like standardized scores. • Now if it is only one group, then it is action research. As CC involves at least two groups of subjects. • Any predetermined variable such as gender, SES, broken homes, retention, etc. can be causal comparative research. * The following slides are based on on-line material [Ref] Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 7

8. Causal Comparative Research #2* • Examples: • Comparing Academic Achievement of First Graders Who Attended Kindergarten Versus Those Who Did Not Attend • Comparing Whole Language Reading Scores of Second Graders Versus Traditional Basal Scores of Second Graders • Academic Achievement of Second Graders from Broken Homes versus Academic Achievement of Second Graders From Non-Broken Homes Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 8 * The following slides are based on on-line material [Ref]

9. This is an example of theoretical research in which the case study was conducted to test theory Information Richness Theory People are rational actors - they will choose a medium appropriate to their task Social Context Theory People are social actors - they take cues from other people about appropriate ways to behave Critical Mass Theory people behave rationally in their use of communication tools Email Case Study (Markus) Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 9

10. Tutorial Topic • Email Case-study (Markus) • Read the handout several times and write a one page summary picking out the point that seem important to you for a discussion next week. Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 10

11. Next Session … Experimental Research: Lecture 3 http://www.cms.livjm.ac.uk/taleb/lectures/cmssem003 Experimental design: Pre-Experimental Design True Experimental Design Quasi-Experimental Design and relate them to IS Research through the medium of a simple IS example Tutor: Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: CMPDLLM002 -- Research Methods, Lecture: 2, page: 11