Research epq

EPQEPQ

Lets look at some exemplar Lets look at some exemplar workwork

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/project/level3/Pages/exmat.aspxhttp://www.edexcel.com/quals/project/level3/Pages/exmat.aspx Click on the link above and read some Click on the link above and read some

dissertationsdissertations Consider the followingConsider the following

Look at the structureLook at the structure What evidence is there that reading has been What evidence is there that reading has been

carried out?carried out? What works well and what doesn’t work?What works well and what doesn’t work?

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/project/level3/Pages/exmat.aspx

Types of ResearchTypes of Research

Secondary ResearchSecondary Research

Secondary research is looking at materials Secondary research is looking at materials someone else has produced.someone else has produced.

You will need to carry out secondary You will need to carry out secondary research prior to starting your own research prior to starting your own research.research.

There are different sources you can use There are different sources you can use that contain secondary researchthat contain secondary research

SourcesSources

BooksBooks Government publicationsGovernment publications StatisticsStatistics InternetInternet NewspapersNewspapers MagazinesMagazines journalsjournals

Primary ResearchPrimary Research

This involves you collecting your own data This involves you collecting your own data using one of the primary research using one of the primary research techniquestechniques

Primary research can gather daty that is Primary research can gather daty that is eithereither Quantitative which involves statistics which is Quantitative which involves statistics which is

presented in graphs, charts and diagrams.presented in graphs, charts and diagrams. Qualitative which involves peoples feelings Qualitative which involves peoples feelings

and thoughts and is presented in a descriptive and thoughts and is presented in a descriptive way.way.

Primary MethodsPrimary Methods

QuestionnairesQuestionnaires InterviewsInterviews ObservationsObservations SurveysSurveys ExperimentsExperiments

Ethical ProtocolsEthical Protocolsand Frameworksand Frameworks

Ethical FrameworksEthical Frameworks

The study of the moral value of human The study of the moral value of human conduct and of rules and principles that conduct and of rules and principles that ought to govern itought to govern it

We use ethics as a guideline in making We use ethics as a guideline in making decisions and assessing consequences decisions and assessing consequences that may arise from that decision.that may arise from that decision.

Ethics are doing what is right, according to Ethics are doing what is right, according to the majority.the majority.

Ethics and ResearchEthics and Research

Ethics protocols are the rules between Ethics protocols are the rules between positive and negative practicepositive and negative practice

Ethics protocols involve responsibilityEthics protocols involve responsibility The researcher should promote equality The researcher should promote equality

all the time and not discriminate against all the time and not discriminate against participantsparticipants

SensitivitySensitivity

The researcher should be aware that The researcher should be aware that some people are more sensitive to some some people are more sensitive to some issues that others.issues that others.

Issues with strong moral/religious views Issues with strong moral/religious views are often very sensitive areas.are often very sensitive areas.

Effects of ignoring the Effects of ignoring the importance of ethicsimportance of ethics

If a subject is not dealt with If a subject is not dealt with ethically/sensitively it could cause stressethically/sensitively it could cause stress

It could also affect the way the researcher It could also affect the way the researcher is viewed by othersis viewed by others

It may also affect the way the research is It may also affect the way the research is viewed by othersviewed by others

Gaining permissionGaining permission

Before completing research permission Before completing research permission must be gainedmust be gained

If children are being researched then the If children are being researched then the parents must consentparents must consent

If research is going to be carried out in a If research is going to be carried out in a school or big establishment then someone school or big establishment then someone in management (gatekeeper) needs to in management (gatekeeper) needs to give written consentgive written consent

ConfidentialityConfidentiality

One way to protect a participants right to One way to protect a participants right to privacy is to promise confidentialityprivacy is to promise confidentiality

This means that although the researcher This means that although the researcher knows who has supplied the information knows who has supplied the information they will not make the connection known they will not make the connection known publiclypublicly

ConfidentialityConfidentiality

Clear guidelines as to how, why and where Clear guidelines as to how, why and where research is going to be publishedresearch is going to be published

What will happen to the research afterwards?What will happen to the research afterwards? Where will it be storedWhere will it be stored Ensure when writing your report you do not Ensure when writing your report you do not

breach confidentialitybreach confidentiality Write down some ways a person could be Write down some ways a person could be

identified in a report.identified in a report.

AnonymityAnonymity

Another way to protect a participants right Another way to protect a participants right to privacy is to promise anonymityto privacy is to promise anonymity

This means that the participants should in This means that the participants should in no way reveal their identity, the researcher no way reveal their identity, the researcher will not be able to identify the individual will not be able to identify the individual from the information. from the information.

Rights of participantsRights of participants

The participants have rightsThe participants have rights Guaranteed privacyGuaranteed privacy Right to withdrawRight to withdraw AnonymityAnonymity ConfidentialityConfidentiality Respect at all timeRespect at all time Trust that their contributions will be Trust that their contributions will be

portrayed fairly and accuratelyportrayed fairly and accurately

Interviews and ethicsInterviews and ethics

Do not control the situation negativelyDo not control the situation negatively Be wary of leading questionsBe wary of leading questions Try not to impose your biasTry not to impose your bias Sensitivity may be neededSensitivity may be needed Take into consideration how the interview Take into consideration how the interview

may affect your participantsmay affect your participants

Surveys and ethicsSurveys and ethics

You may need to considerYou may need to considerConfidentialityConfidentialityAnonymityAnonymitySensitivitySensitivityLeading questionsLeading questions

Experiments and ethicsExperiments and ethics

You may need to considerYou may need to considerCost V benefitsCost V benefitsHow will the experiment affect the How will the experiment affect the participantsparticipantsExperiments have the greatest level of Experiments have the greatest level of ethical concernsethical concerns

Case StudiesCase Studies

You may need to considerYou may need to considerRespectRespectPersonal biasPersonal biasconfidentialityconfidentiality

Observations and ethicsObservations and ethics

You may need to considerYou may need to considerPermissionPermissionConfidentialityConfidentialityAnonymityAnonymity

Validity and reliabilityValidity and reliability

ValidityValidity

As a researcher you need to ensure that As a researcher you need to ensure that you know what validity and reliability are.you know what validity and reliability are.

If something is valid If something is valid it is trueit is true it is genuineit is genuine It measures what it says it measuresIt measures what it says it measures It is unlikely to be disputedIt is unlikely to be disputed

Validity usually refers to the data/findings Validity usually refers to the data/findings collectedcollected

ValidityValidity

In research we are saying that something In research we are saying that something is correct if it is validis correct if it is valid

This can be difficult because how do we This can be difficult because how do we know if participants have told the truth?know if participants have told the truth?

We can’t for certain know if they are telling We can’t for certain know if they are telling the truththe truth

As a researcher you need to consider how As a researcher you need to consider how things influence a situation.things influence a situation.

ValidityValidity

Would the results be the same if it would Would the results be the same if it would be carried out again?be carried out again?

Would the results be the same if you Would the results be the same if you changed the area you researched in?changed the area you researched in?

ReliabilityReliability

Reliability is similar to validity.Reliability is similar to validity. In research reliability refers more to In research reliability refers more to

methods used to gather the datamethods used to gather the data Was the method reliable?Was the method reliable? Was it the best method to use?Was it the best method to use? What other methods could have been What other methods could have been

used?used? We need to be able to justify our methods We need to be able to justify our methods

carefully.carefully.

TriangulationTriangulation

Validity can be enhanced by the use of Validity can be enhanced by the use of triangulationtriangulation

Triangulation is when you support your Triangulation is when you support your findings more than one wayfindings more than one way

This could have meant using both a This could have meant using both a questionnaire and interviews to find out questionnaire and interviews to find out how waiting times are being cut down in how waiting times are being cut down in hospitals.hospitals.


Reliance on one method may be biasedReliance on one method may be biased You have a limited view with one methodYou have a limited view with one method The more the methods contrast the more The more the methods contrast the more

confidence in the findingsconfidence in the findings


To make research as valid and reliable as To make research as valid and reliable as possible it is best to use at least three possible it is best to use at least three different methodsdifferent methods

So when planning your project make sure So when planning your project make sure you useyou use At least two secondary sourcesAt least two secondary sources At least one primary methodAt least one primary method

Threats to validity/reliability to Threats to validity/reliability to observationsobservations

Researcher may be unaware of important Researcher may be unaware of important events that occurred before.events that occurred before.

The observers presence might bring about The observers presence might bring about different behavioursdifferent behaviours

The researcher may become attached to The researcher may become attached to the groupthe group

The person being observed may be The person being observed may be unrepresentive of the studyunrepresentive of the study

Threats to validity/reliability to Threats to validity/reliability to questionnairesquestionnaires

Are the respondents being honest?Are the respondents being honest? Unrepresentative sample, difficult to target Unrepresentative sample, difficult to target

a samplea sample

Threats to validity/reliability in testsThreats to validity/reliability in tests

Individuals may forget or be carelessIndividuals may forget or be careless Markers may mark harder/easier than they Markers may mark harder/easier than they

shouldshould Some people can not work under test Some people can not work under test

conditionsconditions

Presenting DataPresenting Data

Methods of presenting dataMethods of presenting data

TablesTables Bar chartsBar charts Line graphsLine graphs Pie chartsPie charts SociogramsSociograms PictographsPictographs

TablesTables

A table is one of the most basic methods of presenting information, both numerical and written

0 to 4 years

5 to 14 years

All %

Fires 47 25 72 46

Choking/suffocation

14 9 23 14

Drowning 18 2 20 13

Falls 8 6 14 9

Poisoning 3 2 5 3[Source: RoSPA]

ChartsCharts

Pie chart Pie chart (as shown here)(as shown here)

Tally chartTally chart

Bar chartBar chart

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Charts can take many different forms, e.g.

Line graphsLine graphs Line graphs give Line graphs give

clear ‘at a clear ‘at a glance’ glance’ information to information to the readerthe reader

They are useful They are useful for showing for showing trends and trends and changes over changes over timetime

0

20

40

60

80

100

1stQtr

2ndQtr

3rdQtr

4thQtr

East

West

North

Selecting effective ways of presenting dataSelecting effective ways of presenting data

you are now ready to choose your presentation method

Having collected your information

and looked at techniques to calculate relevant figures

Choosing your methodsChoosing your methods

You may find it appropriate to choose a You may find it appropriate to choose a few different methods of presenting your few different methods of presenting your datadata

A lot will depend on personal choice and A lot will depend on personal choice and on which method suits the purpose of your on which method suits the purpose of your presentationpresentation

Which method should I Which method should I choose?choose?

Do you want to:Do you want to: show precise information in a way that show precise information in a way that

is quick and easy to read?is quick and easy to read? summarise your findings?summarise your findings?

Use a table or chart

Which method should I choose?Which method should I choose?

Do you want to show the Do you want to show the main features of many main features of many different categories?different categories?

Do you want to clearly Do you want to clearly identify the high and low identify the high and low points?points?

Do you want to make Do you want to make comparisons?comparisons?

Do you want it to be fairly Do you want it to be fairly accurate?accurate?

Use a bar chart


Do you want to show changes over a period Do you want to show changes over a period

of time?of time? Do you want to be very accurate?Do you want to be very accurate? Do you want to compare different sets of Do you want to compare different sets of

data?data?Use a line

graph


Do you want to show how a whole item Do you want to show how a whole item is divided up?is divided up?

Do you want to highlight a particular Do you want to highlight a particular area?area?

Do you want to compare different Do you want to compare different parts?parts?

Use a pie chart

Statistics in ResearchStatistics in Research

Statistics produced by others can provide Statistics produced by others can provide useful information for any research projectuseful information for any research project

In health and care there are a lot of useful In health and care there are a lot of useful statistics that are collected by the statistics that are collected by the governmentgovernment

Statistics can be analysed and reused if Statistics can be analysed and reused if necessarynecessary

Why are they usefulWhy are they useful

Statistics are useful because they can Statistics are useful because they can show us what has happened in the past show us what has happened in the past allowing us to compare trends allowing us to compare trends

Statistics can also show what happens Statistics can also show what happens over a number of yearsover a number of years

They are useful to give us an insight into a They are useful to give us an insight into a topic and provide us with a basis to topic and provide us with a basis to develop an ideadevelop an idea

Why are they usefulWhy are they useful

They can also support any findings that They can also support any findings that may arise from primary researchmay arise from primary research

However approach them with careHowever approach them with care You need to ensure that they are valid, You need to ensure that they are valid,

reliable and representative and also reliable and representative and also relevant to your work.relevant to your work.

Who collects and uses itWho collects and uses it

Statistics are everywhere and all types of Statistics are everywhere and all types of organisations collect informationorganisations collect information

Private businesses such as banks, shops Private businesses such as banks, shops collect customer information, behaviour collect customer information, behaviour patterns and incomepatterns and income

Statutory bodies such as government, Statutory bodies such as government, councils and schools collect information councils and schools collect information such as birth rates and attendancesuch as birth rates and attendance

Voluntary Bodies such as age concern, Voluntary Bodies such as age concern, cancer research collect information such cancer research collect information such as the number of people they are helpingas the number of people they are helping

This information is then used, interpreted This information is then used, interpreted and presentedand presented

BiasBias

Statistics are collected for a reasonStatistics are collected for a reason You must be aware who has collected You must be aware who has collected

them and for what reasonthem and for what reason Researchers can also have certain views Researchers can also have certain views

on a topic which can sometimes influence on a topic which can sometimes influence the way the data is collectedthe way the data is collected

Data can be manipulatedData can be manipulated

Your statisticsYour statistics

You can draw more conclusions from raw You can draw more conclusions from raw data if you analyse it through different data if you analyse it through different calculationscalculations

The most common ones are the mean, The most common ones are the mean, mode, median and rangemode, median and range

With a partner note down what each of With a partner note down what each of these are.these are.

ErrorsErrors

Errors can occur in the use of statistical Errors can occur in the use of statistical informationinformation

Low response rateLow response rate Inappropriate questionsInappropriate questions Misunderstood questionsMisunderstood questions Statistics can be manipulatedStatistics can be manipulated

TechnologyTechnology


Technology is useful in the research Technology is useful in the research processprocess

Firstly computers can be used to access Firstly computers can be used to access secondary research.secondary research.

This can be carried out on through internet This can be carried out on through internet searches or the use of E bookssearches or the use of E books


The use of the internet should always be The use of the internet should always be backed up by text books.backed up by text books.

Internet sources are not always valid and Internet sources are not always valid and reliablereliable

But they do have up to date information But they do have up to date information that is quick to gather togetherthat is quick to gather together

Technology and apps can support primary Technology and apps can support primary research for example the use of ‘Survey research for example the use of ‘Survey Monkey’ can increase participation rates.Monkey’ can increase participation rates.


Technology is also useful to ensure Technology is also useful to ensure neatness and speed in presenting dataneatness and speed in presenting data

Data can be added into ExcelData can be added into Excel Graphs and charts can then be producedGraphs and charts can then be produced Work can be saved and reused or Work can be saved and reused or

updatedupdated Tables can be produced quicklyTables can be produced quickly Calculations can be completed for you Calculations can be completed for you

using formulaeusing formulae

Research epq

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