About Ritu Sharma Expertise I can answer questions related to sociology and research methodology in social sciences.
Experience I am a faculty in a national law school, i have taught sociology, sociology of law and research methodology. Apart from this i have also completed various research projects. I have also worked with street children.
Education/Credentials -Masters in Sociology.
-Masters of Philosophy in Sociology.
-Pursuing Doctorate of Philosophy in Sociology.
Question Hey Ritu, hopefully you can help me. Your my last hope ;-). For a Stat's and Research Exam (on Monday) I need to answer the following questions:
Draw a diagram to illustrate the stages of the research process. Explain function and purpose of each stage.
Note: I know the diagram but I'm really struggling with the function and purpose.
The second question is:
Define validity, reliability and accuracy. Briefly outline how each stage of the research process contributes to ensuring a research project is valid,reliabale and accurate.
I really appreciate your efforts and would be thankful for an answer.
Max
Answer Hi Gem,
As you know the diagram, i will just explain you the function and purpose of each stage.
1) Defining the research Problem:In the research process, the first step is to select and clearly define the problem to be researched. You need to find the problem and formulate it so that it can be subjected to research. A research problem in general refers to some enquiry, which a researcher undertakes in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain an explanation of the same.
2) Review of Literature: The purpose of reviewing the existing literature on your research theme is to help you assess the feasibility of the project but also to formulate an effective methodology.
3)Hypothesis: After extensive literature survey, one need to state in clear terms the working hypothesis. The hypothesis is a tentative assumption made in order to test its logical or empirical consequences.
4) Universe and Unit of study: It is a very important step. The identification of the universe implies demarcation of the physical area and social unit of study. The universe consists of the population within a well defined area where the study is to be conducted. However, such a group is too large and not possible to be covered by single investigator. Therefore a smaller and more manageable group may be selected by sampling. The group selected as focus of study is called the unit of study.
5)Selection of techniques of data collection: Proper selection oftechniques would help in the fruitful fieldwork. A very important step that will help in providing with the accurate data.
6)Pilot study: It makes you aware of the difficulties before hand and provides you an opportunity of modifying your techniques to suit field conditions.
7)Collection of data: In this stage the data is collected from the field for the given sample.
8)Analysis of Data: After collected the data, one analyses the data.
9) Interpretation: Analysis would also include the interpretation of the data.
10) Report writing: Finally, one writes the report on the results of the analysis and interpretation of data.
Reliability: Reliability is about consistency. You research would be reliable if using the same methods it brings about the same results.
Validity: Extends to which your data provide a true measurement of social reality. It is used in qualitative studies.
Accuracy: It is almost like validity but is used for quantitative data.
