Methodologies

RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

Quantitative Research – involves collecting mathematical data, often being referred to as “research with numbers.” Focuses on calculating, accumulating and drawing relationships amongst facts through numerical analysis and testing.

Methodologies include: questionnaires, interviews and experiments

Advantages:

≥ Easy collection of specific data from a great amount of people

≥ Easier to analyze against previous secondary research

≥ More focused and consistent as they are less subject to bias, as a result of the researcher normally having less of a personal interaction

≥ Allows for more accuracy

Disadvantages:

≥ As only mathematical data is recorded, there is no room for descriptive answers which can be limiting

≥ Works better on a larger population to ensure more accurate statistical data is received back

Qualitative Research – involves collecting information in regards to social interactions and connections between certain individuals and groups. More in depth information can be recorded in regards to one’s beliefs, customs and outlooks.

Methodologies include: questionnaires, interviews, case studies and observations.

Advantages:

≥ Focused specifically on a minority of people which produces a great amount of information about these individuals

≥ Open ended questions allow for individuals to use their own words to explain their thoughts and feelings, meaning the researcher can get more information out of them

Disadvantages:

≥ More subjective in opinion

≥ Researcher may be biased in how they interpret the data according to their own ideals

≥ A more time consuming method as information is explored in depth

Primary Research – Questionnaires

To effectively compare the different opinions and attitudes of students from all years at Glenwood High School written questionnaires are the most appropriate form of methodology to utilize. Using this method will be relevant for my task as it will allow for the gathering of qualitative and quantitative information, to provide me with a variety of results to compare the information received against one another.

≥ My questionnaires were handed out to students at Glenwood High School while employing the stratified sampling approach. This means that I divided the amount of surveys that are handed out to each year group, and from then on, used random sampling to ensure there is no bias in regards to what person gets to participate in the questionnaire.

≥ My questionnaires were distributed to roughly 1 connect class per grade. The connect teacher from that class received the questionnaires and were asked to distribute them to a certain number of students in their class, regardless of gender. I then came collect to them in the days following.

≥ The questionnaires each consisted of 18 questions which were relevant to my research topic. Closed ended and open ended questions were utilized to ensure a wide variety of data that will be easy to graph and evaluate.

≥ My questionnaire was aimed at students who attend Glenwood High School, between the ages of 12-18, from all year groups and all genders. It was essential that I surveyed students as they fit perfectly into the very modern topic of “youth and media.”

≥ The name of the respondent was not necessary as the questionnaire was supposed to be kept anonymous, to ensure privacy.

Issues Accounted For In Research – Ethics

As a HSC student researcher, it is vitally important ethical responsibility when conducting my research, to comply with the HSC ethics. In CAFS, the topic of “ethics” is always relevant as throughout both the preliminary and HSC course, there have and will continue to be provocative topics covered. My hypothesis, “to what extend does the media influence the formation of youth’s identity,” is a sensitive topic, as it explores many individual’s personal thoughts and beliefs to do with body image, social acceptance, plastic surgery and more. The following issues in relation to my topic had to be carefully monitored to ensure an ethical practice:

≥ No Identification: Privacy was ensured throughout the process of conducting questionnaires by intending that no responder writes their name, to ensure all questionnaires are kept anonymous and confidential. This was especially important as some of the questions could be considered “sensitive” to some, with individuals not wanting their identification to be given away. All respondents could only be identified by age and gender.

≥ Reliability: Even if any of my results were unexpected, I vowed to not be bias and change them, which ensures that I am honest to any data received.

≥ Admiration: Everyone who contributed their time into completing my questionnaires deserves the highest level of respect from myself, as they have given up a proportion of their time to help me with my research. There was assurance that their answers from their questionnaires were going to remain confidential as I wrote a privacy statement at the top of the questionnaire, and also thanked them for their time. Any person who felt uncomfortable answering a question or completing the whole questionnaire was free to leave it.

Issues Accounted For In Research – Bias

≥ By using the system of stratified random sampling, I have ensured not to pass on any bias to my responders, which in the end has the potential to affect the final results.

≥ Questions were kept as short as possible and straight to the point, to ensure that participants don’t get confused by wording.

≥ Not giving any presumed responses to the participant. It was essential to try ensure that in my questions I worded them to allow for the respondent to elaborate. An example of this would be: “In your opinion, does the media have a strong influence on teenagers?”