UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH PARADIGMS: TRENDS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH

This essay offers several insights regarding the principles of qualitative and quantitative methods, defining how they shape the empirical process as well as knowledge acquisition in social science research. A comprehensive discussion includes comparing the assumptions and techniques of each paradigm, as well as a description of their respective strengths and weaknesses in research. These paradigms are examined in terms of past trends in science education research, indicating that over the last several decades a shift in approach from the quantitative to qualitative has occurred. The central thesis of the essay contends that methodological decisions should be based in pragmatism, rather than a pre-existent set of philosophies or beliefs irrespective of context. Implications for research are discussed in terms of the findings of several science education content analysis studies, conveying that research methods often coincide with the collective interest of the masses, policy, educational reform or program developments. Key words: paradigm decisions, qualitative research, quantitative research, science education, trends.

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Affective economy of national-populist images: Investigating national and transnational online networks through visual big data

New Media & Society ◽

10.1177/1461444819868686 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 770-792

Author(s):

Jenni Hokka ◽

Matti Nelimarkka

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Big Data ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Social Science Research ◽

Historical Analysis ◽

Science Research ◽

Online Networks ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽

Computational Data

In our article, we investigate the affective economy of national-populist image circulation on Facebook. This is highly relevant, since social media has been an essential area for the spread of national-populist ideology. In our research, we analyse image circulation as affective practice, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. We use computational data analysis methods to examine visual big data: image fingerprints and reverse image search engines to track down the routes of thousands of circulated images as well as make discourse-historical analysis on the images that have gained most attention among supporters. Our research demonstrates that these existing tools allow social science research to make theory-solid approaches to understand the role of image circulation in creating and sustaining national and transnational networks on social media, and show how national-populist thinking is spread through images that catalyse and mobilise affects – fear, anger and resentment – thus creating an effective affective economy.

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Evolution of Statistical Software and Quantitative Methods

10.17077/pp.005273 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Brandon C LeBeau ◽

Ariel M Aloe

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Research ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Social Science Research ◽

Science Research ◽

Research Synthesis ◽

Open Science ◽

Synthesis Methods ◽

Statistical Software ◽

Five Disciplines ◽

State Of Affairs

Statistical software is the enabling tool of quantitative research and the availability and use of the software can greatly shape which methods are used by researchers. Software that is more accessible is likely to have more users and the methods implemented within the software limits the methods accessible to researchers. Open source software, (e.g. R), has reduced these barriers by making cutting edge statistical methods available to researchers through add-on packages. This manuscript explores the evolution of statistical software within social science research using a research synthesis to establish the state of affairs. Software and statistical analysis keywords were searched in published manuscripts from high impact journals in five disciplines, Economics, Education, Political Science, Public Policy, and Sociology. Analysis was based on research synthesis methods. Implications for open science and reproducibility are discussed.

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Students as Subjects and Scholars: Qualquant Tools in the Classroom

Practicing Anthropology ◽

10.17730/praa.30.1.mh3r26j858750p16 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 31-35

Author(s):

Emily Stovel

Keyword(s):

Research Methods ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Cultural Anthropology ◽

Social Science Research ◽

Science Research ◽

Free List ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽

Resultant Data ◽

Wide Range ◽

Short Courses

My experience attending two NSF Short Courses on Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology prompted me to use free list and pile sorting activities as teaching exercises with interesting and informative results that could be useful for others grappling with teaching research methods to undergraduates. My immediate goal in attending the course was inform my teaching of anthropological research methods. However, I also gained a new pedagogical tool that I have implemented in a wide range of classes to help students experience and understand the various qualitative and quantitative methods undertaken in social science research, while also redirecting their role as passive students to active scholars. The following paper outlines the implementation of this Museum Studies' free list and pile sorting exercises, considers the resultant data and impact on students in their own words, and provides some caveats for future implementation.

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A Tale of Two Cultures

10.23943/princeton/9780691149707.001.0001 ◽

2012 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Gary Goertz ◽

James Mahoney

Keyword(s):

Social Sciences ◽

Quantitative Research ◽

Social Science Research ◽

Measurement Data ◽

Science Research ◽

Quantitative Research Methods ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

The Social ◽

Scientific Worldview ◽

Different Cultures

Some in the social sciences argue that the same logic applies to both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This book demonstrates that these two paradigms constitute different cultures, each internally coherent yet marked by contrasting norms, practices, and toolkits. The book identifies and discusses major differences between these two traditions that touch nearly every aspect of social science research, including design, goals, causal effects and models, concepts and measurement, data analysis, and case selection. Although focused on the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, the book also seeks to promote toleration, exchange, and learning by enabling scholars to think beyond their own culture and see an alternative scientific worldview. The book is written in an easily accessible style and features a host of real-world examples to illustrate methodological points.

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