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Instructions of Week 3 Discussion
Methodological Theory and Its Role Within Research
Discuss some of the reasons why we include methodological theory in our research. What purpose does it serve? What role do inquiry paradigms play in research? Your posts this week should demonstrate critical reflection upon the assigned readings.
Assignment Week 3: CITI Training
Instructions
During lesson 1 you were introduced to why it is important to carry out ethical research. For this assignment, you will be carrying out CITI training for researchers specific to Social/Behavioral Research with human subjects.
- Log onto the CITI Website to complete the training (You will be able to create your own username and password)
- Follow the instructions for Registering for the CITI Course (PDF)
- Complete the Social & Behavioral Research – Basic/Refresher Course
The university pays an annual fee for all AMU/APU users; individual users are not assessed a fee for the training.
Each module may take from 10 to 30 minutes to complete, and most contain a quiz. The modules do not have to be completed all in one login session. A minimum aggregate score of 80 percent is required to pass. At the end of your training course, you will be presented with a “coursework transcript report” which will note that the training you completed will be valid for three years. This means that you will have one less step to do should you go on to seek approval from the IRB to carry out human subjects research for your MA thesis.
To complete this assignment you need to upload your coursework transcript report*. The “reported score” will be the score that is entered for your grade. While CITI gives you the option to carry out the training multiple times, your first attempt is what will be recorded.
Use the filename (no spaces): yourlastnameCITI for uploading these assignments to Week 1 Homework Assignment.
*I will accept CITI training transcripts that were previously completed but they must still be valid. If your CITI training has expired you will need to complete the refresher course.
Step-By-Step Guide on Week 3 Discussion: Methodological Theory and Its Role Within Research
Introduction to SSGS 500 Week Three Discussion
The Week 3 Discussion: Methodological Theory and Its Role Within Research explores the significance of incorporating methodological theory into research. It addresses the reasons behind using methodological theory, its purpose, and the role of inquiry paradigms in shaping research. By understanding these components, you can enhance the rigor and coherence of their research projects.
Discuss some of the reasons why we include methodological theory in our research.
Importance of Methodological Theory in Research
To start the Week 3 Discussion: Methodological Theory and Its Role Within Research, we will explore the importance of methodological theory in research.
- Begin by defining methodological theory, explaining that it refers to the framework of principles and practices that guide the research process.
- Discuss its relevance in providing a structured approach to conducting research, ensuring consistency and clarity in methodology.
- Explain how methodological theory enhances the validity (accuracy) and reliability (consistency) of research findings.
- Highlight that a well-defined methodological framework helps mitigate biases and errors, leading to more credible results.
Example
Methodological theory is the backbone of the research process, providing a structured framework that guides researchers in their scholarly endeavors. It encompasses a set of principles and practices that ensure research is conducted systematically and coherently.
Methodological theory refers to the systematic framework that governs the principles and practices of research. It provides a roadmap for researchers to follow, ensuring that every step of the research process is planned and executed methodically.
Including methodological theory in research is crucial for maintaining a structured approach. This framework ensures consistency and clarity in the methodology, which is essential for producing reliable and valid results. By adhering to a well-defined methodological framework, researchers can replicate studies, verify findings, and contribute to the body of knowledge with credible evidence.
Methodological theory plays a pivotal role in enhancing the validity (accuracy) and reliability (consistency) of research findings. A robust methodological framework helps researchers design studies that accurately measure what they intend to measure, thereby increasing the trustworthiness of the results. Furthermore, it ensures that research procedures are consistent across different studies, enabling other researchers to replicate and validate the findings.
A well-defined methodological framework is instrumental in mitigating biases and errors. Researchers can minimize subjective influences and procedural errors by following established principles and practices, leading to more objective and credible outcomes. This reduces the likelihood of skewed results and enhances the overall integrity of the research.
What purpose does it serve?
Purpose of Methodological Theory
Next, in Week 3 Discussion: Methodological Theory and Its Role Within Research. We will discuss the purpose of methodological theory.
- Describe how methodological theory helps structure the research design. It provides a blueprint for planning and implementing the research process, from defining research questions to selecting appropriate data collection and analysis methods.
- Discuss how methodological theory guides the selection of data collection and analysis methods. It ensures that the chosen techniques align with the research objectives and questions, facilitating systematic and rigorous data handling.
Example
The primary purpose of methodological theory is to provide a blueprint for the research process, ensuring that studies are designed and conducted systematically.
Methodological theory helps structure the research design by offering a clear plan for each study phase. From defining research questions to selecting appropriate data collection and analysis methods, it provides a comprehensive guide that researchers can follow to ensure their studies are well-organized and coherent.
Methodological theory also guides the selection of data collection and analysis methods. It ensures that the techniques are aligned with the research objectives and questions, facilitating systematic and rigorous data handling. This alignment is crucial for obtaining reliable data that accurately reflects the studied phenomena.
What role do inquiry paradigms play in research?
Role of Inquiry Paradigms in Research
This section of the Week 3 Discussion: Methodological Theory and Its Role Within Research, will discuss the role of inquiry paradigms in research.
- Define inquiry paradigms as overarching philosophical frameworks that influence research.
- Identify common paradigms such as positivism, interpretivism, and critical theory, each offering distinct perspectives on reality and knowledge.
- Explain how inquiry paradigms shape research perspectives and approaches. For example, positivism emphasizes objective measurement and quantifiable data, while interpretivism focuses on understanding human experiences through qualitative methods.
- Discuss how these paradigms influence the formulation of research questions, data collection, and interpretation of results.
Example
Inquiry paradigms are overarching philosophical frameworks influencing how research is conducted and interpreted. They are foundational philosophical approaches that shape researchers’ perspectives on reality and knowledge. Inquiry paradigms influence the methods and strategies employed in conducting research and determine how researchers approach their studies.
Some joint inquiry paradigms include positivism, interpretivism, and critical theory:
- Positivism emphasizes objective measurement and quantifiable data, advocating using scientific methods to study social phenomena.
- Interpretivism focuses on understanding human experiences through qualitative methods, emphasizing the subjective nature of reality.
Critical Theory often uses qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover power dynamics and societal structures that influence human behavior.
Inquiry paradigms profoundly shape research perspectives and approaches. For example, positivism drives researchers to use statistical analysis and experimental designs, while interpretivism encourages using interviews and ethnographic studies to gain deep insights into human experiences. These paradigms influence the formulation of research questions, the selection of data collection methods, and the interpretation of results, ensuring that research is conducted within a coherent philosophical framework.
In summary, methodological theory and inquiry paradigms are essential to the research process. Methodological theory provides a structured framework that enhances the validity, reliability, and credibility of research findings. Inquiry paradigms offer philosophical foundations that shape research perspectives and approaches, guiding researchers in their quest for knowledge. Researchers can design and conduct rigorous and insightful studies by understanding and applying these elements.
Closing
Week 3 Discussion: Methodological Theory and Its Role Within Research explains that incorporating methodological theory into research ensures structured, valid, and reliable outcomes. It provides a coherent framework that guides the research process, from design to data analysis. Inquiry paradigms shape research perspectives and approaches, influencing how researchers view and interpret their study subjects. By understanding and applying these components, you can enhance the quality and impact of their research projects.
This Owlisdom How-To Guide outlines the essential steps for incorporating methodological theory into research, helping you navigate the complexities of designing and conducting robust research inquiries. In the next module of SCGS 500, we will explore the Week 4 Discussion on Substantive Theory and Its Role Within Research.
