Research Methodology

Addressing ethnicity in social care research

by Tom Vickers

co-authored with Gary Craig and Karl Atkin, published by Social Policy and Administration, 2012. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2012.00851.x

This article surveys recent developments in relation to the dimensions of ethnicity and ethnic disadvantage in social... more This article surveys recent developments in relation to the dimensions of ethnicity and ethnic disadvantage in social policy research and practice, with a focus on social care. While there has been limited increase in attention to ethnicity within general policy discussion and increasing sophistication within specialist debates, advances in theory and methodology have largely failed to penetrate the mainstream of research, let alone policy or practice. This is a long standing problem. We argue for a more focussed consideration of ethnicity and ethnic disadvantage at all levels. Failure to do so creates the risk of social policy research being left behind in understanding rapid changes in ethnic minority demographics and patterns of migration, and increasing disadvantage to minorities.

Meta-analysis

by Thom Baguley

Baguley, T. (2012). Meta-analysis. Online Supplement 1 to Serious stats: A guide to advanced statistics for the behavioral sciences. Basingsoke: Palgrave. Retrieved from: http://www.palgrave.com/psychology/baguley/students/supplements.html

Companion blog:

http://seriousstats.wordpress.com/

Loglinear models

by Thom Baguley

Baguley, T. (2012). Loglinear models. Online Supplement 4 to Serious stats: A guide to advanced statistics for the behavioral sciences. Basingsoke: Palgrave. Retrieved from: http://www.palgrave.com/psychology/baguley/students/supplements.html

Companion blog:

http://seriousstats.wordpress.com/

Survival versus traditional methodologies for studying employee turnover: differences, divergences and directions for future research

by Mark Somers

Una visión historiográfica alternativa: la deconstrucción del estereotipo del bárbaro prerromano / An Alternative Historiographical Vision: the Deconstruction of the Stereotype of Pre-Roman Barbarian

by Tomás Aguilera Durán

Antesteria. Debates de Historia Antigua nº 1, 2012, ISSN 2254-1683, pp. 543-555.

RESUMEN: Se propone una aproximación al estudio de los estereotipos culturales que rigen la imagen de los pueblos... more RESUMEN: Se propone una aproximación al estudio de los estereotipos culturales que rigen la imagen de los pueblos prerromanos de la Hispania céltica (belicosidad, bandidaje, primitivismo cultural...) desde un triple enfoque documental y metodológico: el análisis crítico de los textos clásicos demuestra que el origen de su imagen estereotipada se basa en
ciertos prejuicios filosóficos y etnográficos grecolatinos y el discurso legitimador de la conquista; el estudio de la historiografía moderna revela la pervivencia de algunos de estos tópicos antiguos, lo que condiciona de forma determinante la investigación sobre estas sociedades; la historia cultural, por último, ayuda a comprender la forma en que esos tópicos han trascendido el discurso académico, integrándose en el imaginario colectivo, desde el Renacimiento hasta la actualidad, a través del arte, la literatura o el discurso político, participando de la configuración ideológica de las identidades modernas. Recurriendo a ciertas realidades análogas del resto de Europa y con el caso hispano como principal referente, se defiende un proyecto de estudio conjunto y deconstructivo de esas tres dimensiones del estereotipo para comprender plenamente la forma en que se originan, se consolidan y proyectan tanto en los paradigmas historiográficos como en el imaginario popular.

ABSTRACT: We propose an approach to the research of the cultural stereotypes which determine the image of the pre-Roman peoples of Celtic Hispania (bellicosity, banditry,
cultural primitivism...) from a triple documental and methodological focus: the critic analysis of the classical texts shows that the origin of their stereotyped image is based on some philosophic and ethnographic prejudices and the legitimist discourse of conquest; modern historiography research reveals the survival of some of these topics, a fact that clearly determines the investigation of these societies; finally, the cultural history helps to understand the ways in which these topics have transcended the academic discourse to be integrated in the collective imagination, from Renaissance to the present, through art, literature or politic discourse, participating in the ideological configuration of modern identities. Using some analog realities of the rest of Europe and having the Hispanic case as the principal referent, we argue a project of global and deconstructive research of these three faces of the stereotype for a complete understanding of the way they were originated,
consolidated and projected both within historiographical paradigms and popular imagination.

A Review of the Relevant Merits and Disadvantages of the Current Assessment Methods used in the Photography BTEC Extended Diploma Course

by Ben Macloughlin

This paper explores the current assessment method used in a Photography BTEC course. It reveals the role of formative... more This paper explores the current assessment method used in a Photography BTEC course. It reveals the role of formative and summative assessment methods in Photography. It identifies the differences between the use of sketchbooks, PowerPoint and blogs to track learner progress and for receiving feedback. The research takes into account the views of the learners and their tutors and offers an insight into teaching and learning styles. The aim of the paper is to discover which assessment method best suits Photography and can possibly raise the standards of teaching and learning in the UK.

Examining Research Methodology in the Study of Internet and Online Gaming Addiction

by Alvin Lim

In this essay I will analyse two studies of Internet and online gaming addiction and use them to discuss the... more In this essay I will analyse two studies of Internet and online gaming addiction and use them to discuss the differences between qualitative and quantitative social science re- search. For this purpose, I have picked two papers published from the CyberPsychology & Behavior journal, a peer-reviewed journal of psychosocial research on cyberspace. The two studies are distinctly different in methodology although similar in scope. By comparing these studies, I will discuss the merits and demerits of the two methods; how suitable, consistent or effective they were in the research questions asked, and their normative im- plications in the larger scale of things.

Lo Monaco, G., Guimelli, C., Piermattéo, A., & Abric, J.-C. (in press). Social representations, questionnaire of characterization and correspondence factor analysis: a methodological contribution. The Spanish Journal of Psychology.

by Gregory Lo Monaco

Leadership, affect and emotions: A state of the science review

by Jennifer Griffith

Gooty, J. Connelly, S., Griffith, J., & Gupta, A. (2010). Leadership, affect, and emotions: A state of the science review. Leadership Quarterly, 21(6), 979-1004.

This paper presents a selective, qualitative review of affect, emotions, and emotional competencies in leadership... more This paper presents a selective, qualitative review of affect, emotions, and emotional competencies in leadership theory and research published in ten management and organizational psychology journals, book chapters and special issues of journals from 1990 to 2010. Three distinct themes emerged from this review: (1) leader affect, follower affect and outcomes, (2) discrete emotions and leadership, and (3) emotional competencies and leadership. Within each of these themes, we examine theory (construct definition and theoretical foundation) and methods (design, measurement and context) and summarize key findings. Our findings indicate that the study of affect and emotions in leadership fares well with regard to construct definitions across the first two themes, but not in the last theme above. Design and measurement issues across all three themes are a little less advanced. One serious gap is in a lack of focus on levels-of-analysis theoretically and methodologically. Our review concludes with recommendations for future theoretical and empirical work in this area.

Comparative "Research": A Modest Proposal concerning the Object of Ethics Regulation

by Rena Lederman

Misyurov D.A. Dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas // Credo New. 2012. №2

by Dmitry Misyurov

The article suggests dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas: formula with... more The article suggests dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas: formula with dominant and the non-dominant elements; universal formula; formula with symbolic weight of elements; tautological formula. For example, it suggests an opportunity to use the dialectical formulas for modeling and artificial intelligence creation, etc.

From theory to 'measurement' in complex interventions: Methodological lessons from the development of an e-health normalisation instrument

by Frances Mair

Co-authored with:  Tracy L Finch, Catherine O'Donnell, Elizabeth Murray and Carl R May

Abstract (provisional)
Background
Although empirical and theoretical understanding of processes of... more Abstract (provisional)
Background
Although empirical and theoretical understanding of processes of implementation in health care is advancing, translation of theory into structured measures that capture the complex interplay between interventions, individuals and context remain limited. This paper aimed to (1) describe the process and outcome of a project to develop a theory-based instrument for measuring implementation processes relating to e-health interventions; and (2) identify key issues and methodological challenges for advancing work in this field.

Methods
A 30-item instrument (Technology Adoption Readiness Scale (TARS)) for measuring normalisation processes in the context of e-health service interventions was developed on the basis on Normalization Process Theory (NPT). NPT focuses on how new practices become routinely embedded within social contexts. The instrument was pre-tested in two health care settings in which e-health (electronic facilitation of healthcare decision-making and practice) was used by health care professionals.

Results
The developed instrument was pre-tested in two professional samples (N = 46; N = 231). Ratings of items representing normalisation 'processes' were significantly related to staff members' perceptions of whether or not e-health had become 'routine'. Key methodological challenges are discussed in relation to: translating multi-component theoretical constructs into simple questions; developing and choosing appropriate outcome measures; conducting multiple-stakeholder assessments; instrument and question framing; and more general issues for instrument development in practice contexts.

Conclusions
To develop theory-derived measures of implementation process for progressing research in this field, four key recommendations are made relating to (1) greater attention to underlying theoretical assumptions and extent of translation work required; (2) the need for appropriate but flexible approaches to outcomes measurement; (3) representation of multiple perspectives and collaborative nature of work; and (4) emphasis on generic measurement approaches that can be flexibly tailored to particular contexts of study.

The Strange Case of The Fall of Jerusalem : Orphans and Film Identification

by Jan-Christopher Horak

Research methodology review: The use of textbook analysis, questionnaires and interviews to evaluate EFL textbook implementation.

by Simon Humphries

Reference: Humphries, S. (2008). Research methodology review: The use of textbook analysis, questionnaires and interviews to evaluate EFL textbook implementation. Research reports: Kinki University Technical College, 2, 69-74.

In April 2006, Kinki University Technical College implemented three new textbooks with the aim of increasing the... more In April 2006, Kinki University Technical College implemented three new textbooks with the aim of increasing the communicative competence of the students. The researcher compared the effectiveness of the new textbooks by using three approaches: firstly, a textbook analysis based on the Littlejohn Approach; secondly, a questionnaire completed by teachers who used the textbooks; and thirdly, semi-structured interviews with four practitioners who used both one of the new and one of the traditional textbooks. This paper reviews these three methodological approaches.

Techniques and tools. Corpus methods and statistics for semantics

by Dylan Glynn

An overview of the corpus methods and statistical techniques in Cognitive Semantics An overview of the corpus methods and statistical techniques in Cognitive Semantics

'Political Activist as Ethnographer', Revisited

by Ian Hussey

Published in April 2012 in the Canadian Journal of Sociology 37(1): 1-23.

In   this   article   I   revisit   and   expand   upon   George   Smith’s   (1990)   landmark  article,  “Political... more In   this   article   I   revisit   and   expand   upon   George   Smith’s   (1990)   landmark  article,  “Political  Activist  as  Ethnographer.”  Political  activist  ethnography   (PAE)   is   a   specialized   form   of   institutional   ethnography   (IE)   that   has   not   received  nearly  enough  attention  in  the  twenty  years  since  the  original  publication   of  Smith’s  article.  In  an  effort  to  revisit  and  bolster  this  research  approach,  I  provide  an  overview  of  IE/PAE,  critically  engage  with  three  recent  commentaries  on   PAE,  and  offer  a  new  interpretation  of  this  approach  as  well  as  an  example  of  its   application  from  my  ongoing  research  on  fair  trade.

Une connaissance de l’âge du bronze transfigurée par l’archéologie préventive

by cyril marcigny

Brun P. et Marcigny C., 2012 – Une connaissance de l’âge du bronze transfigurée par l’archéologie préventive, in. Nouveaux champs de la recherche archéologique, Archéopages, hors série 10 ans, p. 132-139

"Doing history: A teaching collaboration between St. John's University and the New York Public Library" in the College and Research Libraries News (March 2012

by Elaine Carey

Co-written with Raymond Pun of the NYPL.

Readings, Classifications and Dialogue: an evaluation of two research articles

by Nigel Newton

An evaluation of two distinct research papers with the aim of classification and evaluation.

How do we classify and evaluate published research articles? The discussion that follows will challenge aspects... more How do we classify and evaluate published research articles? The discussion that follows will challenge aspects implicit in standard methods of classification, while illustrating the importance of definition as a tool for enhancing the value derived from reading research articles. The task will provide a brief resumé of the contents of two published academic articles, methods of classifying research articles will be explored and, finally, an alternative method of evaluation will be explored. 

Children as Researchers in Primary Schools: Choice, Voice and Participation

by Sue Bucknall

Published by Routledge on 24th May 2012

Children as Researchers in Primary Schools is an innovative and unique resource for practitioners supporting children... more Children as Researchers in Primary Schools is an innovative and unique resource for practitioners supporting children to become ‘real world’ researchers in the primary classroom. It will supply you with the skills and ideas you need to implement a ‘children as researchers’ framework in your school that can be adapted for different ages and abilities. Children in primary schools are accustomed to being set short-term goals and are often unaware of long-term aims or of the connections between the concepts and skills they are learning. In contrast, this book demonstrates that children engaging in the research process have authentic opportunities to apply invaluable personal, learning and thinking skills while managing their own projects, making their ‘voices’ heard and experiencing increased levels of engagement and self-esteem.

Based on the author’s 4-year research study exploring the experiences of young researchers and teachers in primary schools, and on her considerable experience of training young researchers, this book also contains:

    the history and theory behind ‘children as researchers’ initiatives;

    a model for good practice based on successful real life case studies;

    questions for reflective practice;

    practical examples of research in the classroom;

    photocopiable resources;

    opportunities for self-evaluation.

This comprehensive resource will be appeal to primary teachers, educational practitioners and students on CPD and ITT courses. It will also be of interest to teacher trainers, to academics involved in teaching and research and to all those interested in promoting children’s voices.