Research Methodology

INF 702/780

Data Analysis, Problem

Statement, Philosophies
Chapters 7 - 20
Oates (2024)
Outline

• What is a research strategy?

• Different research strategies:
• Survey
• Case studies
• Design and Creation
• Experiments
• Action Research
• Ethnography
• Summary
Data analysis
The research process

Model of the research process (Oates, 2022

Data Analysis
Once data is generated, it needs to be analy
or themes.
Two approaches:
• Quantitative data analysis: using m
as statistics to examine or interpret d
• Qualitative data analysis: looks for t
the words people use or the images
Note: It is possible to apply quantitative data
analyse interview transcripts (words = qu
number of times a word or phrase is used
Data Analysis
Draw on your conceptual framework to help
theories in your framework can help you
themes to look for)
Don’t only stick to it – you might be blinded b
– you might discover your framework in n
needs amendment
Also possible to analyse your data without a
theories = analyse the data in your own
Data analysis: Quantitative
Quantitative Data An
Data or evidence based on numbers
Main type of data generated by experimen
Primarily used and anlysed by positivist res
Sometimes generated by interpretive and
Examples:
• Number of people satisfied with help
• Time in second to save a data file
• Number of people that use a specific
• Number of likes for a social media po
• Number of people voting for a politica
Quantitative Data An
Idea of data analysis = to look for patterns i
conclusions
Simple analysis uses tables, charts or graph
some patterns)
Next level of complexity – simple descripti
allow more patterns to be found e.g., the a
instrument readings
More complex statistical techniques enabl
really exist – maybe just a result of chanc
available to do the analysis for you - Excel,
sure that you still understand each techniq
Quantitative Data An
Types of Quantitative data:
• Nominal data: describes categories a
value (home language; country; etc.)
• Ordinal data: Numbers allocated to a
• Interval data: like ordinal data but me
quantitative scale (differences or inter
consistently the same size)
• Ratio data: like interval data, but ther
measurement scale being used
Quantitative Data An
Data coding (use a code book to note each
• Some data already in numerical from
• Other data needs to be coded into a n
country; option chosen to rate an asp
• Also include a code for missing data (

Visual aids for quantitative data:

• Tables
• Charts: bar; pie
• Graphs: scatter; line
Evaluating Quantitat
Analysis
Advantages:
• Provides scientific respectability
• Based on well-established techniqu
give you confidence in your findings
• The analysis is based on measured q
impressions and statistical tests can b
• Large volumes of data can be analys
programs
Evaluating Quantitat
Analysis
Disadvantages:
• Many people dislike working with n
• A danger of doing ever more sophis
computers, without understanding th
of the original purpose of the research
• The analysis can only be as good as
only focus on that which can be meas
non-quantitative aspects
• Be clear on the statistical test you w
• It is not as scientifically objective a
the researcher can influence the resu
Evaluation Guide for
Data Analysis
Data analyses: Qualitative

Source: https://laconteconsultin
data/
Qualitative Data Ana
Includes all non-numeric data: words, im
Main type of data generated by case stud
ethnography
Primarily used by interpretive and critical res
Sometimes generated by positivist researc
You can use quantitative analysis on qualit
• Count the number of times a word or
• Count the number of words or pages
website
Qualitative Data Ana
Most qualitative data analysis involves abstr
the verbal, visual and aural themes and
research.
Qualitative researcher often criticised for no
information about how they went about a
Not a straightforward task – no hard and fas
dependant on the skill of the researcher to
data.
Could be an overwhelming task
Subjective process: words have different me
must be studied in the context of other wo
Qualitative Data Ana
Analysing textual data:
• Get data into a similar format for anal
• Transcribe audio recordings
• Plan an efficient filing system
• Work out a system for locating segme
Evaluating Qualitativ
Analysis
Advantages:
• The data and its analysis is reach an
websites, sounds) – not only that whic
• Is a possibility of alternative explanati
that there will be one ‘correct’ expla
might reach different, BUT EQUALL
Evaluating Qualitativ
Analysis
Disadvantages:
• A danger of feeling overwhelmed by t
that emerge – might feel swamped an
patterns
• Interpretation of data is closely tied to
background, frame of reference, assu
much more tentative (not certain or fix
Evaluation Guide for
Data Analysis
Presentation of the research
Presentation of the r
Writing up the research
• The only tangible evidence of your re
• Start early with the writing process
• Structure and style:
• Beginning part: title, authors, abstract, k
can index your work)
• Main part: introduction; literature review
results; limitations to the research; conc
implications, suggestions for further res
• End part: references, appendices (e.g.,
of interview transcripts; program code; e
Presentation of the r
Writing up the research (continued)
• Add ‘ signposts’ to tell your reader wh
covered.
• Examples:
• ‘The last chapter explained that… This
• The structure of this paper is as follows
on X and indicates a gap in current kno
• Write in the third person passive: ‘An
to…’ OR first person: ‘We/I designed
Presentation of the r
Making an argument
• Another term for ‘thesis’ is ‘argument’ (ca
article or conference paper, etc. – any pi
• You have to assemble the evidence to co
• you created NEW knowledge
• using an appropriate academic research
• When you plan, ask yourself the following
• What is my research question?
• What is the conceptual framework for und
to it?
• How did I set about answering the questio
• What is the answer to the question?
• What is the evidence to justify my answer
• So what?
Presentation of the r
Making an argument
• Another term for ‘thesis’ is ‘argument’ (ca
article or conference paper, etc. – any pi
• You have to assemble the evidence to co
• you created NEW knowledge
• using an appropriate academic research
• When you plan, ask yourself the following
• What is my research question?
• What is the conceptual framework for und
to it?
• How did I set about answering the questio
• What is the answer to the question?
• What is the evidence to justify my answer
• So what?
Evaluation Guide for
Presentations
Summary

Different data generation methods to collect

data
Methods and type of data gathered are in lin
followed (and the paradigm form which y
Data analysis different for quantitative and q
Pay special attention to how you present the
 Let’s talk about the process
• Topic
• Research question
• What are the opportunities and challenges of digital ph
• How can sentiment analysis influence decision-making
• What is the scope of the adoption of digital technologie
• What are the psychological factors influencing individu
• What are the key drivers behind the success and failur
• What are the factors influencing the adoption of weara
• Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT
benefits and risks?
• What are the essential components of digital literacy re
• To what extent do regulatory frameworks effectively ad
within political systems?
• How does Artificial Intelligence enhance value co-crea
• What classical of social challenges and ethical dilemm
Let’s talk about the process

• Writing the problem statement

• All problems have a two-part structur
• A situation or condition (lack of under
reports/complexities of a concept within
• An undesirable consequence caused
• Example:
Existing research on learners’ preferenc
printed textbooks shows conflicting resu
policy makers and service providers to
From research problem
research paradigm
• The way in which you phrase your re
the research strategy will depend on
• How you view reality (ontology)
• What you consider valid knowled
ways to obtain it (epistemology)
• And your view of your influence
(axiology)
Fitzgerald, B., & Howcroft, D. (1998).
Competing dichotomies in IS research and
possible strategies for
resolution. International Conference on
Interaction Sciences.
Other Paradigms

• Critical Research
• Freeing people from power relations,
technological determinism, reflexivity
• Pragmatism
• Actionable knowledge
• Recognition of interconnectedness o
• Inquiry as an experiential process

Kelly, L. M., & Cordeiro, M. (2020). Three principles of pragmatism for researc
2059799120937242.
 From research problem to r
Topic: Social media and well-being

Positivism: Because I want to determine the extent Interpret

to which problematic sleep, overload and role that
compulsive use mediate the effect of FoMO on
social media fatigue. Furthermore, whether there is
a difference between the extent to which social
media fatigue is experienced between Instagram
and Snapchat users.
Therefore, the review of these past studies, indicated that the
remain limited, particularly from two key perspectives, firstly fr
behavior in the context of newer forms of online SMPs, such a
from the perspective of more complex associations between F
of social-media use, such as problematic sleep, overload, fatig