This document outlines key concepts and approaches for research including: 1. It defines important research terms like ontology, epistemology, methodology, and methods which describe the nature of knowledge and how research is conducted. 2. It provides examples of different research philosophies like positivism, interpretivism, and critical approaches that influence how research questions are asked and truth is perceived. 3. It discusses the stages of research from formulating questions, collecting and analyzing data, and emphasizes that research is both a thinking process and hands-on work.

1. R E S E A R C H :
A P P R O A C H E S ,
S K I L L S A N D
M E T H O D S
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

2. Module learning outcomes
Knowledge & Understanding
1. Demonstrate a critical awareness and evaluation of a range of philosophical research approaches.
2. Critically appraised the research literature in a specific area.
3. Demonstrated understanding of evidence based knowledge to critically justify the choice of a research
methodology to apply to a specific issue.
Intellectual/Professional skills & abilities
4. Demonstrated advanced competence in the location, retrieval and management of literature.
5. Identified and learned to managed ethical issues arising from undertaking research.
6. Critically evaluated appropriate methods of data collection and data analysis for research
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity):
7. Critically reflect on your role within the research process.

3. The impact of austerity policies in the UK

4. Mental health issues linked to poverty…
What kind of research questions?
Questions relating to
experience; how do
people feel like; how
do they make sense of
what’s happening to
them
Questions about
what should be done
or asked to change
things / support
Questions about
society’s views on
people who have
mental health issues
linked to poverty
Questions relating to
explaining; what has
triggered these
feelings; what helps,
when and how
Questions of
incidence &
prevalence –
monitoring the
population –
epidemiology

5. Mental health issues linked to poverty
What kind of data?
Experience
What should be
done to change
things
Societal views
Explaining why /
how / what
Incidence &
prevalence
Interviews
Focus groups
Diaries ...
Interviews
Focus groups
...
Films; media; policy …
Surveys; interview data;
expert opinion pieces….
Validated questionnaires
and measures

6. Mental health issues linked to poverty….
What kind of analysis?
Experience
What should be
done to change
things
society’s views
Explaining why /
how / what
Incidence &
prevalence
Interviews
Focus groups
Diaries ...
Interviews
Focus groups
Brainstorm ...
Films; media; policy …
Surveys; interview data;
expert opinion pieces….
Validated questionnaires
and measures
Thematic, narrative
Co-constructed
Discourse, critical
analysis
Theory development
Statistical analysis;
measuring associations
and differences

7. Who are you, as the researcher?

8. Experience
Interviews
Focus groups
Diaries ...
Thematic, narrative
Mental health issues linked to poverty…
What kind of philosophy?
What should be
done to change
things
Interviews
Focus groups
Brainstorm ...
Co-constructed
society’s views
Films; media; policy …
Discourse, critical
analysis
Explaining why /
how / what
Surveys; interview data;
expert opinion pieces….
Theory development
Incidence &
prevalence
Validated questionnaires
and measures
Statistical analysis;
measuring associations
and differences

9. Researching… Mental health issues linked to poverty
Truth is
measured
Truth is
disputed
Truth is explained Truth is
experienced
Truth is co-
constructed
Positivis
m
Scientific realism Participatory research
Interpretivism Critical approaches
Prevalence of clinical depression
diagnosed since the beginning of
austerity, in 2010.
In a context of increasing rates of poverty,
the establishment of food banks provides a
temporary safety net which is reassuring.
As well as providing food, this provides a
relief from anxiety, which can be observed
through decreasing consultations for MH
issues in areas where food banks operate.
"I am embarrassed to
come to the food bank. I
would rather not ask for
help. I would rather do it
all myself but sometimes
you can't.”
A series of workshops undertaken
with people living in poverty who
also suffer mental health issues as
a consequence leads to the
setting up of a buddying system
in the locality. They support one
another and together, challenge
the perceptions surrounding
mental health issues.
News items on following the UN Special
Rapporteur fall into two categories. a)
Individualistic discourses portray poor people as
in need of help to manage their finances and of
sanctions to be motivated to get into
employment. b) Societal discourses portray
people as the victims of a set of punishing
austerity measures, which have all but destroyed
the fabric of society.

11. Key concepts…
Ontology What exists; “what is the nature of reality”
Epistemology
Perceived relationship with knowledge
“How can I know reality, that it exists”
Methodology
The strategic approach to conducting the research
“How do I go about creating knowledge”
Methods The tools

12. Method
s
Methodology Epistemology
Some key terms… the research onion
Positivism
Scientific
realism
Interpretivism
Postmodernis
m & critical
approaches
Constructivis
m
Interviewing
Focus groups
Observations
Discourse analysis
Visual data &
analysis
Thinking
Doing
Measurement
s
Ontology

13. To summarise….

14. THINKING ABOUT RESEARCH:
key concepts
Research
question
•Literature review
•Formulating a research
question
Data
collection
DOING RESEARCH
• Sample size
• Data types
• Data collection
Data analysis
•Qualitative
•Quantitative
Formative task pt1
Formative task pt2
SUMMATIVE

15. • Module Handbook, timetable;
• Electronic reading list;
• Assignment guidance;
• Study skills;
Electronic Learning Portal

16. Any questions?