1.+An+introduction+related+to+research+practice

An introduction to research practice could begin with Aristotle regarded by many as one of the most influential father of "modern" research. He helped introduce the idea that measurement and observation based on meticulous experiments was the only way to advance knowledge as opposed to relying on pure reasoning or pre-conceived ideas. He believed literature revues should be the first step to research followed by the general consensus on the subject and a in depth study of related subjects. ([|Shuttleworth, 2009]) Research has now evolved to using a number of methodology and methods based on a range of assumptions and ideas held by the researchers of what is reliable and valid. The philosophical assumptions have a profound effects on how research is done, Mertens (2005, []) for example speaks of a definition of research which is influenced by the researcher's theoretical framework. These have been divided in different ways by the research community, Neuman (2006) categorized 5 group when speaking of the philosophical assumptions we hold regarding the purpose and nature of science and how they influence our approach to research. He identified the following range and differences between paradigms The oldest and mostly used approach who tends to use a quantitative approach to research based on precise observations that can be repeated, free will is for the positivist mostly an illusion as human nature is shaped by external forces. Most importantly perhaps, the values we hold should not influence, for the positivists, the research being done. (need to discuss later how this is in direct opposition with action inquiry) Positivism, seemingly, tends to reduce people to numbers and use theories not relevant to them. This approach has a definite focus on the people and on understanding our social life as a specie, the interpretative researcher is involved with the research and the people he is researching. The focus of it is on meaningful social action and on motivating factors which makes us who we are. Essentialist or constructionist orientation are possible which will affect greatly this understanding of reality.
 * ===Positivist===
 * ===Interpretative===

Focuses on understanding and reacting accordingly to our social reality, to empower people to change and rectify mis-justice, to understand the hidden factors which are responsible for inequalities, to demystify the apparent reality.
 * ===Critical===

Incorporate both an interpretative and critical approach while rejecting the positivist one believed to be a typical male dominated type. Their main goal is to advance feminist values. In essence Post-modernism reject modernism 's ideas, for example logical reasoning, belief in progress or humanist values. Research, for the post-modern, has for goals to entertain, express a subjective self and to be playful.
 * ===Feminist===
 * ===Post-modern===

when others ( [[], E.G. and Lincoln, Y.S.|Guba and Lincoln (1994)]] Guba, E.G. and Lincoln, Y.S. "Competing paradigms in qualitative research," in//Handbook of Qualitative Research//, N.K. Denzin and Y.S. Lincoln (eds.), Sage, Thousand Oaks, 1994, pp. 105-117 (not read yet but taken from the site, should mention it )brings a different view to it and identify the following paradigms ) would speak of A belief that we construct our reality based on ideas linked to the real world but distinct from it. They believe language contains world view which affect our perception of it.
 * ===positivism===
 * ===post-positivism===
 * ===critical theory===
 * ===constructivism===

Earlier work from Maykut (1994) would refer to "objective inquiry based on measurable variables and provable propositions" Maykut used (kincheloe 1991) to describe it as Quantitative research. "Explanation, prediction and proof are the hallmark of it" to understand the meaning of events and the effect it has for the people being studied knowing that the world and the individuals are co-constituted.
 * ===positivism===
 * ===phenomenology===

Maykut (1994) sees positivism and phenomenology as the 2 main research paradigm and believes sets of postulates makes up the paradigms we follow. The positivist approach to research for them is mostly patriarchal as opposed to Phenomenology which is seen as having a more feminist or post-modern inclination.

When speaking about possibilities of research generalization the positivist believes explanation can be generalized as opposed to the alternate paradigm which believes the uniqueness of all proposition makes it difficult at best. (This could have a definite effect on any research done at the college)

Research types can therefore be divided in 3 groups: Was until fairly recently seen by some of the scientific community as not "rigorous or scientific" (Maykut 1994), for Maykut data analysis is where quantitative and qualitative research most differ from each other. The data analysed can be words, objects or pictures for example from discussions or interviews, artifacts or even videos. the perceived traditional approach to science, based on observation that are "converted into discrete units that can be compared to other units by using statistical analysis" (Maykut 1994) Participatory this term refers mostly but not exhaustively to the use of qualitative and quantitative methodology of inquiry, it offers the widest range of research methods which bring the advantage of a richer and deeper sources of data. The participatory methodology It should be noted that a mixed qualitative, quantitative or participatory methodology could easily be used with a range of methods, this technique can be referred to as triangulation and has the advantage of bringing finding which are richer and deeper. (a small description needed again)
 * ===Qualitative===
 * ===Quantitative===
 * ===Mixed===

Maykut shows a possible approaches to research with a clear choice having to be made between quantitative or qualitative research but this approach can prove to be limiting for researchers, another option open to the researchers is the mixed approach where each system is used to bring a wider range of benefits. This possible choice is obviously linked to our personal paradigms but for any research to be effective a basic self-awareness is a necessity Deciding which approach to take is not an easy task, some would say to follow your instinct ([]) in order to keep self-motivation high or even to be aware of the preferences of our teacher or managers! But if instinct is used as another word for common sense ...link it to the table in the book

now speaking about the approach I favour... [] =Choosing Your Research Methods = Assuming action research is our goal, that a mixed methodologists approach is fitting within the paradigm held by the researcher, the range of methods which can be used are:
 * [|Questionnaires]
 * Surveys
 * [|Interviews]
 * [|Focused group discussions]
 * [|Observation]
 * Scanner data
 * Physiological measures
 * [|Documentary analysis]
 * [|Experiments]
 * <span style="color: blue; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Quasi-experiment
 * <span style="color: blue; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Online research
 * <span style="color: #000000; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">

<span style="font-size: 1.1em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**Action research**
This divers approach can bring a range of benefits as all methods brings varied qualities to projects but time constraints, funding availability, philosophical assumptions to name a few will limit our choices. Action research has been described as<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',Calibri,Corbel,Verdana,sans-serif,Arial; line-height: normal;"> a type of research which focuses on advancing and solving real issues faced by practitioners. It's main difference from traditional research could be define with the ability of the researcher to change or influence the environment which is been investigated. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',Calibri,Corbel,Verdana,sans-serif,Arial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Action research has a definite focus on quality as opposed to quantity but still keeps the meticulous approach it deserves. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',Calibri,Corbel,Verdana,sans-serif,Arial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The main aim when doing this type of research is to understand and improve the environment we work in and then further research the impact this evolution brings to our practice.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',Calibri,Corbel,Verdana,sans-serif,Arial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">another way to describe this process could be "look, think and act" <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',Calibri,Corbel,Verdana,sans-serif,Arial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;">[]

<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',Calibri,Corbel,Verdana,sans-serif,Arial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;">[|Look, think, act]

the following link contain a great explanation of research methods and methodology <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">[]

<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">SELECTED RESEARCH METHODS: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGE

[] <span style="color: #006600; font-family: Palatino,Garamond,Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">"In other words, there are times when the initial use of fuzzy methods to answer fuzzy questions is the only appropriate choice. Action research provides enough flexibility to allow fuzzy beginnings while progressing towards appropriate endings."

Ethical principles

Political issues

Data analysis etc

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',Calibri,Corbel,Verdana,sans-serif,Arial; line-height: normal;">the history of research practices?