SOC3701 - Research Methodology: Descriptive and Explorative Questions

This essay delves into research methodology, defining descriptive and explorative research questions and emphasizing their importance in sociological studies. It elaborates on key terms such as the universe of analysis, units of analysis, units of observation, and research population, highlighting their roles in data accumulation and analysis. The essay further examines sampling techniques, particularly in the context of hidden populations like asylum seekers, suggesting appropriate methods for drawing representative samples. It also discusses suitable data collection methods, advocating for primary data collection to ensure authenticity. The analysis references Collyer's article to illustrate these concepts, providing a comprehensive overview of research methodology principles and their practical application in sociological research. Desklib provides a platform to access this document along with numerous other resources for students.

Research methodology
Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Define descriptive and explorative research questions..........................................................1
Define the terms:....................................................................................................................2
With reference to the above Abstract from Collyer’s article identify what each of the
following and explain what they are:.....................................................................................3
Considering that asylum seekers are often regarded as a hidden population. How would you
go about drawing a sample of 35 Algerians in France and 30 Algerians in London based on
the above excerpt?..................................................................................................................4
What collection methods would be most appropriate to carry out this study?.......................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Research methodology is defined as a specific form of technique of procedure which is
mainly undertaken to make identification, selection, process and analysis of information
associated to the topic. It is essential for investigator to undertake use of effective form of
research methodology such as sampling technique, data collection method to draw valid data and
information related to the topic (Katz‐Buonincontro and Anderson, 2020). Present research
include discussion on definition of descriptive and exploratory research question, concept of
universe of analysis, unit of analysis, unit of observation, research population and appropriate
data collection method to analyse viewpoint of respondents.
Define descriptive and explorative research questions
It has been underlined that descriptive search question mainly m to delete define the
variables that researcher is measuring. Furthermore it has been underlined and these forms of
research question mainly aim to duly quantifying the variables that researcher is interested in.
Along with this it has been evaluated that these research question plays important role as these
are systematic mythology which duly helps in having proper understanding of what when where
and how. It has been underlined that essential variables can be rigidly defined with the help of
taking advantage of this form of research question (Chenail, 2012). Furthermore it has been
underlined that with the help of taking data with the assistance of descriptive research question
researcher have ability to have comprehensive understanding with the help of conducting in
depth view of the variable. In this it is essential for investigator to mainly target population and
have a desired form of sample size. In this researcher is needed to target population in basically
a cluster based on a specific form criteria it is essential for investigator to undertake advantage of
two stage or multi stage sampling and order duty fulfilled desired sampling size in order to fulfill
overall goals and objectives. In context with present research investigator emphasise on taking
use of these forms of research question as these are a systematic mythology which helps in
accomplishing research aims in effective manner.
It has been underlined that explorative research is mainly a form of research which include
investigation of a research question which is somehow not clearly defined and understood
(Walton, Bell and Nugent, 2021). Furthermore it has been underlined and this form of research is
being mainly undertaken by investigators to duly investigate an issue which is not clearly defined
1

and stated this form of research questions allow researcher to have a lot of flexibility and further
implement changes as per the research progress.
Define the terms:
Universe of analysis
This is mainly defined as a population which is needed to be measured or study.
Furthermore it has been underlined that universe of analysis mainly as a particular set of groups
of individual that researcher is in tend to reflect their behaviour. Furthermore it has been
underlined that universe of analysis is of experimental unit in which investigator is looking
forward to draw sample in which variable is required to be studied.
Units of analysis
Unit of analysis is mainly defined as an entity which duly frame what is being duly
looked at in a study or it is the entity which being studied as a whole. There are different unit of
analysis which are inclusive of social interaction, individual groups, organization and institution
and social and cultural artifacts (Masoga and Shokane, 2019). Furthermore in context with
research unit of analysis is mainly termed as an entity that researcher is looking forward to wish
to say something about at the end of the study. It mainly focus on study in a well defined and
effective manner.
Units of observation
Unit of observation is mainly termed as a form of unit at or form of data is collected. This
in simple terms in this is mainly the unit which is described by the data that an individual
analyses. It is essential for researcher to effectively select unit of observation in order to conduct
research in an effective manner. It has been furthermore evaluated that to accumulate data in an
effective manner. Furthermore. it has been underlined that a unit of observation sometime known
as statistical unit investigator to accumulate information. This is basically an item that
researchers observed collect and measure while trying to learn something or to accomplish
research aims and objectives is the unit for which data is collected which is inclusive of school,
household, community and individual it is important to study.
Research population
Research population is termed as a well defined collection of objects and individual which is
further known to have a similar form of characteristics (Biemann, Mühlenbock and Dlouhy,
2

2020). In addition to this it has been underlined that all objects , as well as individuals in a
certain population, is somehow having a binding character comment element or trait.
Furthermore it has been evaluated that research population refer to collectively as the population
in which study is being referred. This help investigator to accumulate appropriate data and
information from a selected group of population in order to fulfill aims and objectives of
research in a well defined and effective manner.
According to the above mention analysis it has been underlined that all the above mentioned
terms plays important role in accumulating information and data. In order to fulfill aims and
objective of present research investigator effectively consider all these elements in order to draw
data from a selected group of respondents.
With reference to the above Abstract from Collyer’s article identify what each of the following
and explain what they are:
Universe of analysis: it consists of a research work the concept of the universe of analysis
is associated with the population or universe that tend to represents the entire group of units
which is tend to be the focus of the study. Thus, it has been also seen and find out that the
population could tend to be consist of all set of the persons in the country, or those who are in a
particular set of the geographical location, or consists of a part of a special ethnic or set of any
economic group that is tend to be depending on the purpose of the research undertaken along
with also set of be affected by the coverage of the study. In current study the universe of analysis
is based on the asylum-seekers in Europe along with the growing Algerian community in the UK
(Zhou, Li and Sun, 2022).
Units of analysis: it tends to present and comprises of the entity that tend to be the frames
what is being looked and implicated within a set of the at in a study. Along with this, it also tend
to present and reflect of the entity that is being studied as a whole within a project. Along with
this, in respect and concept to a social science research that is conducted and undertaken at the
macro level it has been seen that the most commonly set of referenced unit of analysis is tend to
be considered to be a society is the state. Further, in sociology, the most common set of the units
of analysis are that are being used and comprises of the individuals, groups, social interactions,
organizations and institutions, and social and cultural artefacts. With respect to the current article
3

it has been seen that the group is taken as the unit of analysis that comprises of the Algerian
community in the UK along with Algerians who have emigrated since 1990.
Units of observation- It has been seen and find out that the unit of observation within a
research project tend to be includes and comprises of the object about which information is being
collected by undertaking a research work and project. Beside this, it has been seen and observed
that the researchers base conclusions and result findings on the set of the information that is
collected and tend to be analysed. So by the using defined units of observation the researcher
tends to use within a survey or other study is vital and helps to clarify the reasonable conclusions
as well as researching a valid finding that can be drawn from the information collected. In
current article, the unit of observation is tend to be based on the unskilled workers who are
comping from North Africa and it tend to continue from the migrating to France (Ungunmerr-
Baumann and et. al., 2022).
• Research population- the concept of the research population is tend to be associated and
related with the well-defined form of the collection of individuals as well as the other objects and
units which are known to have similar characteristics. Thus, all individuals or set of the objects
within a certain population usually have a common, binding characteristic or trait are referred
and taken as the research population. With respect to current project, the research population
tend to comprises and includes of the Algerians who have emigrated since 1990 along with the
unskilled immigrants who regularise their stay in Europe for asylum as a refugee.
Considering that asylum seekers are often regarded as a hidden population. How would you go
about drawing a sample of 35 Algerians in France and 30 Algerians in London based on
the above excerpt?
The concept of the sampling is tending to be related and associated with the selection of a
pre detrained number of units and observation from a larger set of population in order to
undertake and conduct a study in a more cost as well as time efficient manner. Probability and
non-probability are two main types of sampling techniques and formwork. The Probability
sampling is the one in which the subjects and units of the population are tend to get an equal
opportunity to be selected as a representative sample. While, the Nonprobability sampling is the
one that is more systematic based and it is not known that which individual and unit from the
population will be selected as a sample (Hacker and et. al., 2022). It has been seen and analsysed
that the asylum seekers are tend to the hidden population thus, it applying and making use of the
4

nonprobability sampling is note suitable as the units are not known. Therefore, with respect to
the nature of the current study making use of probability sampling based on random method of
sampling is seemed to be suitable and appropriate. The use of random method of sampling
supports a better access and reach to the asylum seekers who are often regarded as a hidden
population and also supports equal chances of selection for all units and individuals from the
population.
What collection methods would be most appropriate to carry out this study?
There are two main sources through which data is being collected by a researcher that
comprises of the primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source of the
data collection is the one that comprises of collecting of the data directly from the selected
participants and respondents thus, supports and provide with the authentic set of the information.
On the other hand, the secondary source of the data collection comprises of the analysing and
evaluating the pre-existing information (Myles, 2022). With respect to current investigation,
making use of the primary set of data collection is looked and seemed to be more appropriate to
ensure collection of authentic set of data directly from the participants. Further, qualitative and
quantitative are two main set of research method that are applied by a researcher for collection of
data. It has been seen that the quantitative research method provided objective nature of data
collection in numeric set thus, it is not seemed appropriate for current topic as it need detailed
implication for having better understanding. Thus, use of the qualitative nature of data collection
method is seemed appropriate as it provide a detailed and theoretical nature of information. Use
of interview method of data collection that is based on qualitative nature of researcher is seemed
most suitable as it supports a two-way communication with the participants to have better and
detailed collection of data to meet the set objectives and have proper research results (Garrison,
2022).
CONCLUSION
According to the abovementioned analysis it has been concluded that in order to fulfill aim
subjective of research. It is essential for investigator to emphasise on undertaking use of
appropriate method research questions sampling strategies to fulfill overall objectives in a well-
defined and effective manner. In addition to this it has been underlined that descriptive and
exploratory research question helps in identifying the viewpoint of respondents. Along with this
5

with the help of taking care of appropriate form of sampling strategy as per research objectives
helps in data mining viewpoint of respondents. This research also identifies that sampling
techniques and strategies plays important role which help investigators to draw valid form of
information and data to fulfill research aims in apple defined and effective manner. This helps in
accomplishing overall research aims and objectives effectively research also explained that it is
essential to conduct collection of methods in an appropriate manner with the help of effective
form of data collection method as this not only helps in enhancing viability of research but also
helps in assuring successful research outcomes.
REFERENCES
Books and journal
Biemann, T., Mühlenbock, M. and Dlouhy, K., 2020. Going the distance in vocational behavior
research: Introducing three extensions for optimal matching analysis based on distances
between career sequences. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 119, p.103399.
Masoga, M.A. and Shokane, A.L., 2019. Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental
social work education: Towards environmental sustainability. Southern African Journal
of Environmental Education, 35.
Walton, J., Bell, H., Re, R. and Nugent, A.P., 2021. Current perspectives on global sugar
consumption: definitions, recommendations, population intakes, challenges and future
direction. Nutrition research reviews, pp.1-22.
Katz‐Buonincontro, J. and Anderson, R.C., 2020. A review of articles using observation methods
to study creativity in education (1980–2018). The Journal of Creative Behavior, 54(3),
pp.508-524.
Chenail, R.J., 2012. Conducting Qualitative Data Analysis: Reading Line-by-Line, but
Analyzing by Meaningful Qualitative Units. Qualitative Report, 17(1), pp.266-269.
Zhou, Y., Li, H. and Sun, H., 2022. Metalloproteomics for Biomedical Research: Methodology
and Applications. Annual Review of Biochemistry, 91.
Ungunmerr-Baumann, M.R., G and et. al., 2022. Dadirri: an Indigenous place-based research
methodology. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples,
p.11771801221085353.
Hacker, N and et. al., 2022. Centering Oppression in Research Methodology Toward Developing
Interventions to Address Health Inequities. Journal of Pediatric Psychology.
Myles, P.S., 2022. Future of clinical trial methodology. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 134(4), pp.668-
673.
Garrison, M., 2022. Critical Research Methodology: A Realist Approach. In Handbook of
Critical Approaches to Politics and Policy of Education (pp. 53-64). Routledge.
6