What are the Qualities of Good Research?
By Marjorie M. Brown
Glossary Terms
Empirical- Empirical research is based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual experience rather than from theory or belief
Key characteristics to look for:
· Statement about the methodology being used
· Research questions to be answered
· Definition of the group or phenomena being studied
· Process used to study this group or phenomena, including any
· controls or instruments such as tests or surveys
· Ask yourself: Could I recreate this study and test these results?
· Read the abstract of the article for a description of the methodology
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/researchguides/edupsych/empirical.html
Interpretive- “Interpretive studies assume that people create and associate their own subjective and intersubjective meanings as they interact with the world around them. Interpretive researchers thus attempt to understand phenomena through accessing the meanings participants assign to them” (Orlikowski and Baroudi 1991)
Critical- “critical social research attempts to reveal the socio-historical specificity of knowledge and to shed light on how particular knowledges reproduce structural relations of inequality and oppression.” John Muncie (n.d.) Critical Research. Retrieved from http://srmo.sagepub.com/view/the-sage-dictionary-of-social-research-methods/n38.xml
Triviality – pertains to the reasons or purpose of doing the research. Research should be done to enhance the knowledge of the profession and should contribute value. Triviality is often generated when the researcher fails to ‘observe the theoretical attitude’ of the first standard. (Marjorie M. Brown, pg. 261)
Aggregates - a whole formed by combining several separate elements http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/aggregate
Hermeneutic Research - Hermeneutic research enables you to make interpretations and gain an in-depth understanding of the researched phenomenon. Hermeneutic research emphasizes subjective interpretations in the research of meanings of texts, art, culture, social phenomena and thinking. https://koppa.jyu.fi/avoimet/hum/menetelmapolkuja/en/methodmap/strategies/hermeneutic-research
· Hermeneutics focuses primarily on the meaning of qualitative data, especially textual data
· The purpose of using hermeneutics is to aid human understanding
· It helps the qualitative researcher in business and management to understand what people say and do, and why
Michael Myers, Qualitative Research and Business Management, PowerPoint 2008, Sage Publications Limited
Standards of Good Research
1. Commitment to a Theoretical Attitude – aim is for objectivity, researcher puts aside personal beliefs and judgments and records what is observed with the goal of learning the truth. Truth claim is only true or valid if it is “objectively valid”
2. Research should contribute important knowledge to the profession – research should have a purpose that is meaningful, not just to get the degree or for personal status. Should not be trivial but instead and important contribution.
3. Reflects recognition of guiding interest – serves to provide value to the profession through understanding. This knowledge helps to explain the purpose of the research and to determine how the research should be performed.
4. Researcher is knowledgeable about the subject area and other related research – ensures that the researcher understands the subject area and has a deeper understanding of the topic which allows for greater understanding and ability to interpret and critically analyze data.
5. Needs clear understanding of symbol systems and open to questioning and revisions – symbols are subjective and the researcher must understand the varying knowledge and interpretations of the people they are researching. Additionally, good research is able to withstand questioning and criticisms.
6. Conclusions have rational logic and are supported by evidence – conclusions are drawn by the research conducted and there is data to support the claims of the researcher
7. Responds to challenge – good research stands up to questioning and criticisms of others. A researcher should be able to defend their research and their conclusions
8. Researcher is socially responsible and observes ethical norms – researchers are expected to meet ethical standards of the society as they pertain to their subjects, colleagues, employers and society as a whole.
Quotes
“A truth claim is not objectively true simply because people (even most people) believe it is true.” (Brown, 1989, pg. 260)
Truth can be subjective, so in order to make a truth claim one must make sure that the evidence that is gathered it objective and something that most people would look at and likely come to the same conclusion.
“…the received concept of “quality” is based upon a preconceived notion of research according to the standards established by the “scientific community” is one of empirical scientists.” (Brown, 1989, pg. 257)
Found this point interesting that what is often considered to be good, right and of high quality is based around one type of research where there are several different forms that have value and could only be measured and conducted in a way that is not established by the “scientific community”.
Comments
Point 1: Research should be done for the betterment and increased knowledge of the profession. The research should not be trivial; there should be a purpose greater than gaining personal development and achievement.
Point 2: I found the idea about having to research and understand the symbol systems to be very interesting. Often people would not even think about the fact that their subjects understanding of these systems are affected by various aspects of their lives (i.e. home life, upbringing, culture, socio-economic status)
References
Brown, M. M. (1989). What are the Qualities of Good Research? In, F. H. Hultgren & D. L. Coomer (Eds.), Alternate modes of inquiry in home economics research, Yearbook 9, American Home Economics Association, (pp. 257 - 297). Peoria, IL: Glencoe.
Empirical- Empirical research is based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual experience rather than from theory or belief
Key characteristics to look for:
· Statement about the methodology being used
· Research questions to be answered
· Definition of the group or phenomena being studied
· Process used to study this group or phenomena, including any
· controls or instruments such as tests or surveys
· Ask yourself: Could I recreate this study and test these results?
· Read the abstract of the article for a description of the methodology
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/researchguides/edupsych/empirical.html
Interpretive- “Interpretive studies assume that people create and associate their own subjective and intersubjective meanings as they interact with the world around them. Interpretive researchers thus attempt to understand phenomena through accessing the meanings participants assign to them” (Orlikowski and Baroudi 1991)
Critical- “critical social research attempts to reveal the socio-historical specificity of knowledge and to shed light on how particular knowledges reproduce structural relations of inequality and oppression.” John Muncie (n.d.) Critical Research. Retrieved from http://srmo.sagepub.com/view/the-sage-dictionary-of-social-research-methods/n38.xml
Triviality – pertains to the reasons or purpose of doing the research. Research should be done to enhance the knowledge of the profession and should contribute value. Triviality is often generated when the researcher fails to ‘observe the theoretical attitude’ of the first standard. (Marjorie M. Brown, pg. 261)
Aggregates - a whole formed by combining several separate elements http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/aggregate
Hermeneutic Research - Hermeneutic research enables you to make interpretations and gain an in-depth understanding of the researched phenomenon. Hermeneutic research emphasizes subjective interpretations in the research of meanings of texts, art, culture, social phenomena and thinking. https://koppa.jyu.fi/avoimet/hum/menetelmapolkuja/en/methodmap/strategies/hermeneutic-research
· Hermeneutics focuses primarily on the meaning of qualitative data, especially textual data
· The purpose of using hermeneutics is to aid human understanding
· It helps the qualitative researcher in business and management to understand what people say and do, and why
Michael Myers, Qualitative Research and Business Management, PowerPoint 2008, Sage Publications Limited
Standards of Good Research
1. Commitment to a Theoretical Attitude – aim is for objectivity, researcher puts aside personal beliefs and judgments and records what is observed with the goal of learning the truth. Truth claim is only true or valid if it is “objectively valid”
2. Research should contribute important knowledge to the profession – research should have a purpose that is meaningful, not just to get the degree or for personal status. Should not be trivial but instead and important contribution.
3. Reflects recognition of guiding interest – serves to provide value to the profession through understanding. This knowledge helps to explain the purpose of the research and to determine how the research should be performed.
4. Researcher is knowledgeable about the subject area and other related research – ensures that the researcher understands the subject area and has a deeper understanding of the topic which allows for greater understanding and ability to interpret and critically analyze data.
5. Needs clear understanding of symbol systems and open to questioning and revisions – symbols are subjective and the researcher must understand the varying knowledge and interpretations of the people they are researching. Additionally, good research is able to withstand questioning and criticisms.
6. Conclusions have rational logic and are supported by evidence – conclusions are drawn by the research conducted and there is data to support the claims of the researcher
7. Responds to challenge – good research stands up to questioning and criticisms of others. A researcher should be able to defend their research and their conclusions
8. Researcher is socially responsible and observes ethical norms – researchers are expected to meet ethical standards of the society as they pertain to their subjects, colleagues, employers and society as a whole.
Quotes
“A truth claim is not objectively true simply because people (even most people) believe it is true.” (Brown, 1989, pg. 260)
Truth can be subjective, so in order to make a truth claim one must make sure that the evidence that is gathered it objective and something that most people would look at and likely come to the same conclusion.
“…the received concept of “quality” is based upon a preconceived notion of research according to the standards established by the “scientific community” is one of empirical scientists.” (Brown, 1989, pg. 257)
Found this point interesting that what is often considered to be good, right and of high quality is based around one type of research where there are several different forms that have value and could only be measured and conducted in a way that is not established by the “scientific community”.
Comments
Point 1: Research should be done for the betterment and increased knowledge of the profession. The research should not be trivial; there should be a purpose greater than gaining personal development and achievement.
Point 2: I found the idea about having to research and understand the symbol systems to be very interesting. Often people would not even think about the fact that their subjects understanding of these systems are affected by various aspects of their lives (i.e. home life, upbringing, culture, socio-economic status)
References
Brown, M. M. (1989). What are the Qualities of Good Research? In, F. H. Hultgren & D. L. Coomer (Eds.), Alternate modes of inquiry in home economics research, Yearbook 9, American Home Economics Association, (pp. 257 - 297). Peoria, IL: Glencoe.