Numeracy and ICT Skills in Research: Nature and Principles Essay

This essay delves into the nature of research, defining it as a systematic and scientific approach to knowledge acquisition. It distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative research, highlighting their respective data collection methods and purposes. Qualitative research, relying on non-numerical data, is explored as a method for gaining in-depth understanding, while quantitative research, using numerical data, is presented as a means to quantify and generalize findings. The essay emphasizes the importance of understanding these differences for effective research design. Furthermore, it outlines key principles for conducting good research, including the formulation of clear aims, selection of appropriate methodologies, the pursuit of unbiased results, and the availability of sufficient resources. The conclusion ties these principles to the broader context of societal challenges, particularly those related to an aging population.

Numeracy and ICT
Skills in Research
(Part-1)

Table of Contents
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
Essay main body..........................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

PART 1
Topic: Nature of research and principles for conducting good research.
Essay main body
Research is a common term used to define the search of knowledge. It is a scientific and
systematic approach which is used to conduct detailed analysis of a particular area. It is a careful
consideration of study which is related to a specific concern or a issue. In other words, it could
be defined as a well organized enquiry which is highly focused with describing, predicting,
explaining and controlling the observed phenomenon. Main purpose of it is to refine the
hypotheses that should lead the acceptance of scientific truths. In order to conduct a research it is
very important for researchers to understand its nature. Generally there are two different types of
it which are qualitative and quantitative (Bantoft and et. al., 2016).
For a person who is conducting a research it is very important to understand difference
between both of them so that the questions which are formed earlier answered properly.
Qualitative research is mainly used to gather non numerical information so that the objectives for
study could be achieved. It is mainly based upon secondary data which is being already collected
by researchers. The results of it are based upon meaning, concepts, characteristics, symbols,
metaphors etc. It is considered as one the easiest way of conducting a research Which can help
the researchers to reach a conclusion quickly by analysing different sources such as websites,
books, articles, journals etc. It is a exploratory research which is used for the purpose of gaining
understanding of fundamental motivations, reasons and opinions. With the help of it, insight in to
the research problems could be acquired which is beneficial to develop the idea for potential
quantitative study. It shows that both the natures are linked with each others first one formulates
base for another one. Most of the researchers are using qualitative research to uncovers all the
trends in ideas and thoughts and analyse the problem deeply. The most common methods which
are used in it to collect data are group discussions, observations, interview etc. While using this
mode of research the sample size is kept very small and the respondents are selected to fulfil the
specific predetermined quota (Cichy and et. al., 2017). It is mainly concerned with understanding
of human behaviour from a informant's perspective so that views of an individuals could be used
to find answers for research questions. For the purpose of collecting data research pays attention
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towards observation and interviews as these are the main methods of collecting information in
this type of research. It also involve naturalistic and interpretive approaches in its subject matter.
The second nature of research is quantitative research which is used for the purpose of
collecting numerical data to find answers for all the research questions. Main purpose of it is to
quantify the research problem with the help of numeral information that could be converted in
useful statistics. With the help of it different types of behaviours, attitudes, defines variables and
opinions could be quantified. Apart from this, it is also beneficial to generalise the outcomes
from a large number of respondents or population. Only measurable information is used in this
mode of research for the purpose of uncovering patterns and formulating facts in the study. All
the methods which are used in it to collect data are highly structures as compared to techniques
used in qualitative research (Cummings, Gao and Thornburg, 2016). Some of the main modes of
data collection of quantitative study are face to face interview, online polls, questionnaire,
website interceptors, systematic observations, longitudinal studies etc. There are various types of
surveys which are also used in it to to gather information to find answers for research questions.
Some of them are online, pater, kiosk and mobile survey. It is mainly focused with discovery of
facts about social phenomena. In order to gather data researchers assume measurable and fixed
reality and try to provide accurate justifications for previously formulated research questions.
While analysing the collected information the individual conducting the study perform statistical
inferences and numerical comparisons.
There are various types of principles which are also required to be focused by a
researcher while studying a topic in depth. All of them are required to be taken in to
consideration to conduct a good research. First and foremost the individual working on a
research should make sure that a clear statement for the aims is clear and defining the main
questions. There is a principle regarding formulation of informative sheet for the analysers of
research so that they can understand the matter covered in whole study and get involved in it to
enhance their knowledge (Dimovski, Grah and Colnar, 2019).
Selecting right methodology is also a principle for conducting a good research because if
the researchers do not select it according to the questions then it may create issues for others who
will analyse the findings to understand. If the research is qualitative and based upon perceptions
of individuals then interviews should be used. On the other hand, if the study is mainly related to
the identification of scale of need or problem it means it is qualitative and randomised. In this
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situation the researchers should use methods such as face to face interview, surveys etc. For the
purpose of completing a good research combination of methodologies could be used but the
researcher should make sure that all of them are complementing each other (Flower, Tipton and
Milligan, 2019).
Unbiased results is also a principle for a good research which should be focused by all the
researchers. It states that individuals working on a study should make sure that results are not
influenced by them or others so that accurate outcomes could be assessed by readers. One of the
common principles is also required for a proper research. It is related to having sufficient and
appropriate sources such as time, money, people etc. By paying attention towards all of them
researcher will be able to conduct an accurate and well structured research.
CONCLUSION
Present study concludes that growing number of aged people is resulting in different
issues in England and Wales. These are higher demand of health care services and decreasing
workforce. It is very important for the legal authorities of the countries to formulate effective
strategies so that the problems could be responded in systematic manner. Its results research is
completed with in proper manner by formulating right aims to accomplish them with accurate
principles.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Bandyopadhyay, S., Bhattacharya, S. and Sensarma, R., 2015. An analysis of the factors
determining crime in England and Wales: A quantile regression approach.
Bantoft, C. and et. al., 2016. Effect of standing or walking at a workstation on cognitive function:
a randomized counterbalanced trial. Human factors. 58(1). pp.140-149.
Bone, A. E. and et. al., 2018. What is the impact of population ageing on the future provision of
end-of-life care? Population-based projections of place of death. Palliative medicine.
32(2). pp.329-336.
Chui, K. C. M. and Lam, C. M., 2019. " DEMENTITUDE" FROM THE VOICE OF
DEMENTIA: PROMOTING PROPER CARING ATTITUDE TO THE PERSON
WITH DEMENTIA IN CHINESE SOCIETY. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of
the Alzheimer's Association. 15(7). pp.P1562-P1563.
Cichy, K. E. and et. al., 2017. Population aging and disability: Implications for vocational
rehabilitation practice. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 47(2). pp.185-196.
Cummings, M. L., Gao, F. and Thornburg, K. M., 2016. Boredom in the workplace: A new look
at an old problem. Human factors. 58(2). pp.279-300.
Dimovski, V., Grah, B. and Colnar, S., 2019. Modelling the industrial workforce dynamics and
exit in the ageing society. IFAC-PapersOnLine. 52(13). pp.2668-2673.
Flower, D. J., Tipton, M. J. and Milligan, G. S., 2019. Considerations for physical employment
standards in the aging workforce. Work, (Preprint), pp.1-11.
Online
Ageing population in UK. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/816458/future-of-an-ageing-population.pdf>
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