Research Methodology

    Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS)
    Restructure command calls the:
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Using IBM SPSS statistics
    What is the advantage of using SPSS over calculating statistics by hand?
    Nowadays, most quantitative data analysts use SPSS or an equivalent statistical software package. Such tools are widely regarded as being much faster and more efficient than mental arithmetic, as they can generate huge volumes of complex statistical data within seconds. If you prepare a probability sample, SPSS can help you to produce high-quality results. If you have a very small data set, though, using SPSS would be akin to using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut.
    Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 353
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Mixed methods research: combining quantitative and qualitative research
    Which of the following is not a feature of multi-strategy research?
    Multi-strategy research is becoming increasingly common in the social sciences, but this does not mean that it is seen as an inherently superior approach. Just like mono-method and mono-strategy research, multi-strategy research can only be successful if it is well designed and conducted by skilled researchers, and if the various research methods chosen are appropriate to the research questions.
    Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 656-658
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS)
    The “SPSS” is more widely use in:
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Content analysis
    One of the potential pitfalls in devising a coding scheme is that:
    The dimensions must be entirely separated from each other, which means no overlaps. Equally, the categories for each dimension must be mutually exclusive and there should not be any ‘gray’ areas within dimensions which could leave coders uncertain of how to code accurately. These exhortations are not actually any different to instructions that could be given for other forms of structured research methods, like interviewing and observing.
    Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 294,295
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS)
    In SPSS which command allows for editing the text:
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Focus groups
    Which of the following is not a limitation of the focus group method?
    Focus groups have numerous disadvantages, some of which can also be interpreted as strengths. The larger number of interviewees in each session means that the participants, rather than the researcher, have control over the discussion; a vast amount of data is produced; and group interaction can affect the way opinions are expressed. One of the features of this method that is not seen as a limitation, however, is that the group interaction reveals the way individuals construct, account for and modify their viewpoints in the context of social relationships.
    Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 520-522
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Writing up social research
    Before submitting your dissertation, you should ensure that:
    This last chapter is concerned with writing up research reports, including dissertations. Whilst we are naturally preoccupied with the content of our work, we must also pay close attention to the quality of the presentation. Getting feedback from others on the same degree programme is a form of peer assessment, after all. Feedback from supervisors may be a bit discouraging, at first sight, but remember that your supervisor will almost certainly be one of your assessors, so respond gratefully to the comments made! This feedback may also help you to remove inadvertent comments that might otherwise have caused offence. Finally, using a spell-checker seems almost too obvious to deserve mentioning it….or is it? Marks are lost regularly through careless presentation. Assessors may make an uncritical inference of attributing carelessness to the research methodology as well.
    Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 684-687
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Getting started: reviewing the literature
    Why do you need to review the existing literature?
    “The most obvious reason”, “is that you want to know what is already known about your area of interest”, including relevant concepts and theories. The process of writing a literature review should enhance your learning and help you to write a “proper” dissertation, but these are by-products. You could reasonably start reading the existing literature to find out what the current areas of debate are, particularly in the academic journals close to your field of interest. This could help you to develop research questions of your own. Answer (a) may be an outcome, but this is not a numbers game: quality counts a lot more than quantity.
    Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 90
    Author: rikazzz Comment
    Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS)
    Which command is required to change the existing value of variables:
    Author: rikazzz Comment