The Ins and Outs of Research
Discussion
In psychology, the purpose of research is to improve knowledge and inform action. This research must be of higher quality in order to form consistent boundaries in science. It also must not limit to exceed boundaries in order to advance and become more in depth with the subject at hand. There are three methods of research that have, more often than not, come to subjective conclusions. These methods include Case studies, which involves observing what has happened in the ‘case history’ of an individual or group of individuals. Surveys, which can be described as a “data collection tool used to gather information about individuals.” (Cherry, 2016). And at last, scientific experiments, which “key features are control over variables, careful measurement, and establishing cause and effect relationships.” (McLeod, S. A. 2012). Case studies are in-depth investigations of a single person, group, event or community. Typically, data is gathered using different methods such as interviews and observations. The processes and developments that are made through research are often studied and used to come to a final hypothesis. The case study method allows the observer to endeavor into great detail on an individual or group of individuals. (McLeod, S. A., 2008). There have been many popular scientists have had success with this method making it become one of the most common. The strengths of case studies include: “providing detailed (rich qualitative)
In this paper, the definition and description of what a case study is, what are some reasons for using a case study, what are some disadvantages and advantages of this approach? Also included in this paper I will talk about what are some of the ways a researcher can acquire information that can is used for a case study. A case study can be defined as a descriptive account of the behavior, history, and other relevant factors concerning a particular individual (Cozby, Bates, 2012).
A case study is “a method of analysis and a specific research design for examining a problem” (University of Southern California, 2010). It can be used to analyze a person, place, event, or other subjects in order to help discover mitigating issues, misconceptions, failures, trends, or recommendations (USC, 2010). Case studies will be used to gain a better understanding of situations and topics to help others make better policies, procedures, and decisions (USC, 2010).
There has been an ongoing debate on whether psychology is indeed scientific, although recent, psychology is now considered a science. This is because it uses scientific methodology in researching, devising treatments and measuring the outcomes. These methods include collecting and analysing data and concluding their findings in order to identify whether the research or treatment adequality solves the problem. Scientific studies must be replicable, this means the if repeated exactly the same, the results should produce an identical outcome. Replicability can be increased by ruling out any alternatives that may not have originally been thought of. Objectivity in science is the idea that scientist, in an attempt to get the best results, must first
Case studies are one of the first types of research to be used in the qualitative methodology and repeating the study several times will lead to the increased reliability of the study (Starman, 2013). This methodology is appropriate because it will allow for data collection results to be generalized based on the theoretical propositions and not the population (Harrison et al. 2017).
“Case studies are stories. It presents a realistic, complex, and contextually rich situations and often involve a dilemma, conflict, or problem that one or more of the characters in the case must negotiate”,
When it comes to the scientific method, especially in the science of psychology, there are many different ways a question can be asked in order to get the conclusion to a hypothesis. Psychology is by its nature something that not only produces many questions but also helps to find the answer to those questions. Through asking the right questions a person can see a whole new world of understanding unfold before them. This understanding of why a person or animal acts the way it does has been groundbreaking in the growth of understanding a individual on a much deeper level than the sociological standpoint. Before this understanding can be obtained however one must learn first how to ask a proper question and then in turn how to test that
Research, systematic inquiry aimed at the discovery of new knowledge, is a central ingredient of the scientific method in psychology. It provides the key to understanding the degree to which hypotheses (and the theories behind them) are accurate. Just as we can apply different theories and hypotheses to explain the same phenomena, we can use a number of alternative methods to conduct research.
As stated in our syllabus, research is essential to the science of psychology. This course was an introduction to the basic concepts and instruments needed to assess and conduct research. Through understanding the research process, as well as the ideas such as validity and reliability, we become better acute consumers and producers of research. I have also learned that research comes in many different tests and observation, but each method is just as important as the last one.
In the modern age of health,education and public safety, society relies on rigorous research methods to find answers to complex issues dealing with social issues and general concerns. Ultimately, some short-term research methods may initially fail; however, continued extended research should surely result in success and benefit future generations. Depending on the topic of research; some research methods might be more appropriate than others. For example, clinical and laboratory experimental trials might receive better consummation if they use Quasi-experimental and Classical Experimental design rather than Cross Sectional Studies and Longitudinal Studies which focuses more on psychological experiments and behavior studies (Addison) (2015).
Throughout this course I have learned many things about research at an introductory level. Research is a critical part of all of our lives in many ways. God blesses each of us with a degree of common sense and we all learn from observing others even as babies, we learned behaviors and skills by observing our parents. Walking through experiences throughout life teach us a lot we need to know as well but sometimes we have to take a better approach when we need to learn about certain things. Many of us know that what works in some situations or with certain individuals doesn’t always work or is the safest option for another situation. Controlled and precisely organized study allows scientists to compare and examine contrasting methods and concepts, also helps them to discover various approaches and be able to learn from individual’s behaviors and experiences. I will act as the case study throughout this paper in order to observe what I have learned about.
Case study research can be defined as a pragmatic method that works to understand the meaning of lived experiences, events, and interactions for people in particular situations through real-life context (Morese & Richards, 2003). The case study approach can be used for the in-depth investigation of an issue or life event. Case studies can uncover beliefs, attitudes and perspectives of those involved. In this case both teachers and students. The ultimate goal of a case study is to illustrate the complexities
This study will be conducted using the qualitative case study method of research. As noted by Merriam (2009), “qualitative researchers are interested in understanding how people interpret their experiences, how they construct their worlds, and what meaning they attribute to their experiences.” As defined by Merriam (2009), “a case study is an in-depth description and analysis of a bounded system” (p. 40). Likewise, defined by Merriam as, “understanding the meaning people have constructed, that is, how people make sense of their world and the experiences they have in the world.” Patton explains qualitative research as:
In case study research, an investigator studies an individual or small group of individuals with an unusual condition or situation. Case studies are typically clinical in scope. The investigator (often a clinical sociologist) sometimes uses self‐report measures to acquire quantifiable data on the subject. A comprehensive case study, including a long‐term follow‐up, can last months or years.
A case study is a specific instance that is frequently designed to illustrate a more general principle (Nisbet and Watt, 1984). Hitchock and Hughes (1995) further suggest that the case study approach is particularly valuable when the researcher has little control over evens. Case studies strives to portray ‘what it like’ to be a particular situation, to catch up reality and ‘thick description’ (Geertz, 1973) of participants’ lives experiences of, thoughts about and feelings for a situation. They involve looking at a case or phenomenon in its real-life context, usually employing many types of data (Robson, 2002). It is important in case studies for events and situations to be allowed to speak for themselves, rather than to be largely interpreted, evaluated or judged by the researcher. In this respect the case study is akin to the television documentary. Case studies can make theoretical statements, but, like other forms of research and human sciences, these must be supported by the evidence presented.
Information about the store’s current productivity enhancing program, target market, and other basic yet necessary numerical and qualitative data to develop a conception of the current state of the store