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Scientific Method

 McLelland (2011)  claims that scientific method helps to minimize infl uence on results by personal,social, or unreasonable infl uences. Thus, science is seen as a pathway to study phenomena in the world, based upon reproducibly testable and verifi able evidence. This pathway may take different forms; in fact, creative fl exibility is essential to scientific thinking, so there is no single method that all scientists use, but each must ultimately have a conclusion that is testable and falsifi able; otherwise, it is not science.
 

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is the collection and analysis of numerical data to describe, explain, predict, or control phenomena  of interest. However, a queantitative research approach entails more than just the use of numerical data. At the outset of a study, quantitative researches state the hypotheses to be examined and specify the research procedures that will be used to carry out the study. 

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is the collection, analysis, and interpretation of comprehensive narrative and visua non numerical to again insights into a particular phenomenom of interest. Qualitative research methods are based on differnt beliefs and designed for different purposes than quantitative research methods.  

Quantitative data collection methods

Paper-and-pencil methods are favored by quantitative data collection method. 

There are a variety of techniques that can be used to collect data in a quantitative research study.

However, all of them are geared towards numerical collection.

This numerical data can be collected by means of:

  •  observation

  •  interview

  •  questionnaire

  • check list

In quantitative research, the data are collected and recorded systematically, and these are then organised so that they can be entered into a computer database.

 

Qualitative data collection methods

 

 

  • Does the method (PPP) accomplish with the following statements?

      The method helps you to teach whatever topic (  )

      The method helps students understand more easily the topic (  )

      The method helps you to spend less time teaching (  )

 

  • Does the method (PPP) allow you to catch the student’s attention?

        Yes (   )               No (  )

 

  • Which activities have been the most adequate to use in this the method (PPP)? Which are they?

        Yes (   )               No (  )

     Presentation: Songs (   )           Games (   )                     Stories (   )

     Practice:  Chair Pair work (   )     Closed Pair work (  ) Open pair work (   ) 

     Production: Role plays (  )    Debates (  )    Discussion (  )

 

  • What are the most successful materials to use in this kind of method? Select them.

      Audio visual aids (   )

      Flash cards (   )

      Worksheets (   )

 

  • Does the method help students to communicate and perform in class?

        Yes (   )            No (   )

 

 

Questionnaire:

For teachers

Observation and interviewing are used predominantly by qualitative researchers. 

OBSERVATION

When qualitative researchers obtain data by watching the participants, they are observing. The emphasis during observation is on understanding the natural environment as lived by participants, without alterinf or manipulating it. For certain research questions, observation is the most appropiate and effective data collection approach. If you ask teachers how they cadle discipline in their classrooms, for example, you run the risk of collecting baised information- they may not remember everything, or they tell you only about their most successful strategies. By observing te classes, you will obtain much more objective information that can be compared to the self-reports of the research participants . The two common types of observation are participant and nonparticipant observation.

INTERVIEW

The use of interviews as a data collection method begins with the assumption that the participants’ perspectives are meaningful, knowable, and can be made explicit, and that their perspectives affect the success of the project. An in-person or telephone interview, rather than a paper-andpencil survey, is selected when interpersonal contact is important and when opportunities for followup of interesting comments are desired. Interviwers can explore and probe paarticipants' responses to gather in-depth data bout their expiriences and feelings. They can examine attitudes, interests, feelings, concerns, and values more easily than they can through observation. 

Interview:

For teachers

  • Why do you use this kind of method to teach grammar and vocabulary?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • Do you believe the activities applied are adequate to the level to the students?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Presentation, Practice, production method?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

  • What are the most useful materials to use in this kind of method?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • Do you use the correct time for each activity?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

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