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Maximizing Validity in Research Design

Learn how to design research effectively by linking research questions to evidence, selecting appropriate methodologies, and minimizing errors for maximal validity. Understand the logic of evidence and the distinction between research design and methodology.

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Maximizing Validity in Research Design

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  1. Johan Mouton & Cornel Hart 2006 & 2007 RESEARCH DESIGN

  2. Research Design & Maximising Validity • Good research is well-designed research • Researchers often confuse research design (which is a matter of the logic of evidence) and research Methodology (which is a matter of HOW on gathers and analyses evidence • ……… The ProDEC framework

  3. Distinction between “research design” & research methodology • Research design LINKS the RESEARCH QUESTION to RESEARCH EVIDENCE in a logical way • Designing research is about: • Asking research questions in such a way that it is clear what KIND of evidence WILL answer that question adequately • Understanding how RESEARCH DESIGN Types differ from each in i.t.o. their different DESIGN LOGICS. • The methodology of science: Principles of the construction of the most valid evidence: How to collect analyse & interpret evidence as dictated by the design

  4. The ProDEC Framework IDEA RESEARCH PROBLEM/ QUESTION RESEARCH DESIGN Research conclusion RESEARCH PROCESS Methodology

  5. Designing research Decision to undertake study Research & funding context Rationale/motivation for research Define research problem Identify unit of analysis Define research aims & objectives Select appropriate design Use research design map: Surveys, case studies, life histories, etc. Implement design Sampling, instrumentation, data collection, analysis, reporting

  6. Designing for maximal validity • Formulate research question • Select design type which is appropriate / most likely to answer the research question • Identify most common sources of error inherent to the design type • Apply appropriate methodological strategies to minimize error • Execute design

  7. The Logic of Scientific Inquiry • A research study is about constructing an (extended) argument • The aim is to argue for a particular point of view/position • The reader is persuaded of the soundness of the argument if the following conditions are met: • The premises on which the conclusions are based (the evidence) is judged to be the best available evidence (the evidence is robust) • The conclusions are supported strongly by the evidence • The conclusions address a clearly articulated and (theoretically) relevant research question

  8. Empirical & Non-Empirical Studies WORLD 2: WORLD OF SCIENCE Non-empirical Body of knowledge/ scholarship Empirical studies WORLD 1: EVERYDAY LIFE Social world: Individual human beings; action & events, organisations, institutions, interventions, collectives & social objects Physical world: plans, animals, atomic and subatomic particles

  9. Research Designs Explanation Laboratory experiments Field experiments Modelling & simulation studies Surveys Low control High control Programme evaluation studies Ethnographic studies Participatory action research Laboratory experiments Description

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