PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1 - Research Approaches - EP.7 (Research Simplified)

Sir Enjay and Ma'am Maica's Corner
27 Apr 202107:06
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this informative video, Momika from Research Simplified explores the various research approaches and their relevance to hard and soft sciences. She explains that while there are multiple ways to achieve everyday tasks, research requires specific methods. The scientific or positivist approach is for quantitative research, focusing on empirical data and statistical analysis. The naturalistic approach is for qualitative research, emphasizing human perceptions and thematic analysis. The triangulation or mixed method combines both, enhancing validity and offering diverse perspectives. Momika also highlights the distinction between hard sciences, which use quantitative methods, and soft sciences, which employ qualitative approaches, providing clarity on the appropriate research methods for each.

Takeaways
  • πŸ” Research approaches are specific methods used to achieve research goals, similar to choosing different modes of transportation to reach a destination.
  • πŸ“Š The scientific or positive approach is tailored for quantitative research, focusing on empirical data, controlling variables, and using numerical data collection methods like surveys and observational checklists.
  • 🌿 The naturalistic approach is designed for qualitative research, emphasizing people's perceptions, emotions, and social relations, and using words and visuals to express data.
  • πŸ”— The triangulation or mixed method approach combines both qualitative and quantitative research, enhancing the validity, reliability, and accuracy of the study by viewing the research from different perspectives.
  • πŸš΄β€β™‚οΈ In research, unlike everyday tasks, there is often a designated approach for each type of study, making it easier to understand and follow.
  • πŸ§ͺ Hard sciences, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, are studied using quantitative research methods, testing theories, and analyzing data statistically.
  • πŸ“š Soft sciences, including sociology, psychology, and economics, are studied using qualitative research methods, aiming to develop theories and understand human behavior through thematic analysis.
  • πŸ”‘ The choice of research approach is directly related to the type of science being studied: hard sciences use the scientific approach, while soft sciences use the naturalistic approach.
  • 🧩 When mixing hard and soft science methodologies, the triangulation method is used to combine the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative research.
  • πŸ“ˆ The goal of hard sciences is to study natural, data-driven phenomena, while soft sciences aim to understand the human mind and behavior in a scientific manner.
  • πŸ“ Understanding these research approaches and the differences between hard and soft sciences is fundamental knowledge for any researcher.
Q & A
  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is the discussion of research approaches and the differences between hard and soft sciences.

  • What are the three types of research approaches mentioned in the script?

    -The three types of research approaches mentioned are the scientific or positive approach, the naturalistic approach, and the triangulation or mixed method approach.

  • Which approach is designed for quantitative research?

    -The scientific or positive approach is specifically designed for quantitative research.

  • What kind of data does the scientific or positive approach deal with?

    -The scientific or positive approach deals with empirical data and not personal feelings, emotions, or perceptions of the respondents.

  • How does the naturalistic approach differ from the scientific or positive approach?

    -The naturalistic approach is designed for qualitative research and focuses on people's perceptions, viewpoints, feelings, and emotions, unlike the scientific approach which is more data-driven.

  • What does the triangulation or mixed method approach allow for in research?

    -The triangulation or mixed method approach allows for the combination of research designs, data collection, and data analysis procedures from both qualitative and quantitative research.

  • Why is the triangulation approach considered beneficial in research?

    -The triangulation approach is beneficial because it strengthens the validity and reliability of a study, enhances the accuracy of results, and allows for viewing a specific research from different perspectives.

  • What are some examples of hard sciences?

    -Examples of hard sciences include biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth science.

  • What are some examples of soft sciences?

    -Examples of soft sciences include sociology, psychology, political science, economics, anthropology, and history.

  • How does the study of hard sciences differ from the study of soft sciences?

    -Hard sciences are studied under quantitative research, using numbers, testing theories, and statistical analysis. Soft sciences are studied under qualitative research, using words to develop theories and understand human behavior.

  • What is the advice given for choosing the correct research approach based on the type of research being conducted?

    -The advice given is to use the naturalistic approach for qualitative research, the scientific or positive approach for quantitative research, and the triangulation approach for mixed method research.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ” Research Approaches and Hard vs. Soft Sciences

This paragraph introduces the concept of research approaches and the distinction between hard and soft sciences. The speaker, Momika, from 'Research Simplified', begins by comparing life's various approaches to achieving goals with the more rigid methods used in research. It's emphasized that unlike everyday tasks, research requires specific approaches tailored to the type of study. The paragraph then delves into three main research approaches: the scientific or positivist approach for quantitative research, which relies on empirical data and numerical expression; the naturalistic approach for qualitative research, focusing on human perceptions and emotions with data expressed in words or visuals; and the triangulation or mixed method for combining both qualitative and quantitative research, enhancing validity, reliability, and offering multiple perspectives. The paragraph concludes with an analogy to transportation to illustrate the importance of selecting the right approach for the research task at hand.

05:00
🌟 Examples of Hard and Soft Sciences in Research

The second paragraph provides examples to clarify the difference between hard and soft sciences in the context of research. Hard sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth science, are studied using quantitative research methods. This involves the use of numbers, testing theories, and employing statistical analysis to study natural, data-driven phenomena. In contrast, soft sciences like sociology, psychology, political science, economics, anthropology, and history are studied using qualitative research methods. Here, the focus is on understanding human behavior through words, thematic analysis, and the researcher's interpretation. The paragraph concludes by reinforcing the idea that quantitative research corresponds with hard sciences and qualitative research with soft sciences, and that mixing these approaches requires the triangulation method. The speaker, Micah, wraps up the lesson by emphasizing the simplicity of these concepts as fundamental knowledge for researchers.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Research Approaches
Research approaches refer to the methods or strategies used to conduct a study. In the video, Momika explains that unlike everyday tasks where multiple approaches can be used to achieve the same goal, research requires a specific approach tailored to the type of study being conducted. The video outlines three main approaches: scientific or positivist for quantitative research, naturalistic for qualitative research, and triangulation or mixed method for combining both qualitative and quantitative elements.
πŸ’‘Hard Sciences
Hard sciences are disciplines that deal with the physical world and its phenomena, often focusing on measurable and quantifiable aspects. Examples given in the video include biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth science. These sciences typically use the scientific or positivist approach in research, relying on empirical data, statistical analysis, and the testing of theories.
πŸ’‘Soft Sciences
Soft sciences, on the other hand, deal with human behavior, societies, and cultures. The video mentions sociology, psychology, political science, economics, anthropology, and history as examples. These fields are often studied using qualitative research methods, such as the naturalistic approach, which focuses on understanding human experiences and behaviors through words, perceptions, and thematic analysis.
πŸ’‘Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a method of inquiry that involves numerical data and employs statistical tools for analysis. It is used in hard sciences and is characterized by the use of numbers, control over variables, and data expressed in quantitative terms. In the video, Momika explains that the scientific or positivist approach is specifically designed for this type of research.
πŸ’‘Qualitative Research
Qualitative research focuses on understanding the nature of social phenomena through non-numerical data such as words, observations, and images. It is used in soft sciences and involves exploring people's perceptions, viewpoints, feelings, and emotions. The video describes the naturalistic approach as being specifically designed for qualitative research.
πŸ’‘Triangulation
Triangulation, in research, refers to the use of multiple methods or approaches to study a phenomenon from different angles. It is a mixed method approach that combines both qualitative and quantitative research designs, data collection, and analysis procedures. The video highlights the benefits of triangulation, such as enhancing the validity, reliability, and accuracy of research results.
πŸ’‘Empirical Data
Empirical data refers to information that is based on observations and evidence gathered through the senses. In the context of the video, empirical data is a key component of quantitative research, where it is used to test theories and establish cause-and-effect relationships.
πŸ’‘Variables
Variables are elements that can change and are often manipulated or measured in scientific experiments. The video mentions that the scientific or positivist approach allows for control over variables, which is crucial in quantitative research to isolate the effects of different factors on the outcome of a study.
πŸ’‘Survey Questionnaires
Survey questionnaires are tools used to collect data from a large number of respondents. They are mentioned in the video as a method of data collection in quantitative research, where they help gather empirical data that can be statistically analyzed.
πŸ’‘Observational Checklists
Observational checklists are structured guides used by researchers to record observations systematically. In the video, they are cited as another method of data collection in quantitative research, allowing researchers to document and analyze behaviors or phenomena in a controlled manner.
πŸ’‘Thematic Analysis
Thematic analysis is a method used in qualitative research to identify, analyze, and report patterns or themes within data. The video explains that soft sciences, which are studied using qualitative research, often employ thematic analysis to interpret and understand human behavior and experiences.
Highlights

Introduction to the concept of research approaches and their differences in hard and soft sciences.

Explanation of approaches in everyday life with examples of different ways to achieve a goal.

Clarification that unlike everyday tasks, research requires specific approaches for different types of studies.

Description of the scientific or positive approach designed for quantitative research.

Details on the scientific approach's focus on empirical data, control over variables, and quantitative data expression.

Mention of data collection methods used in the scientific approach, such as surveys and observational checklists.

Introduction of the naturalistic approach, designed for qualitative research and focusing on people's perceptions.

Explanation of how the naturalistic approach explores social relations, lifestyle, culture, and beliefs.

Description of data expression in the naturalistic approach using words and visuals instead of numbers.

Introduction of the triangulation or mixed method approach for combining qualitative and quantitative research.

Advantages of the triangulation approach in strengthening validity, reliability, and providing multiple perspectives.

Guidance on choosing the appropriate research approach based on the type of research being conducted.

Examples of hard sciences and their association with quantitative research and the scientific approach.

Examples of soft sciences and their association with qualitative research and the naturalistic approach.

Differences between hard and soft sciences in terms of data analysis and research goals.

Conclusion summarizing the importance of selecting the correct research approach for the study's nature.

Final remarks by the presenter, Micah, thanking the audience and providing a blessing.

Transcripts
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