Answer to Question #264829 in Sociology for LEE

Question

1.1 Provide a critical discussion of the fundamental aspects (ontology and epistemology) of the applicable methodological approach. Also motivate why the approaches are relevant for your planned research. (10) 1.2 Indicate whether the nature of your research is descriptive and / or exploratory and / or explanatory and motivate your answer. (10) 1.3 Identify and discuss five distinctive characteristics of the research design. (5) Also provide relevant critique on the research design. (5) 1.4 Identify and discuss the sampling technique (s) you will use to select the respondents who will participate in the study. Also indicate how you would apply this method(s) practically to this specific case. (10) 1.5 Identify five ethical risks that may be associated with the study, and indicate what specific steps you would take to address these risks.

Answer 1

1.1 Ontology helps researchers recognize how certain they can be about the nature and existence of objects they are researching. Epistemology on the other hand is important because it influences how researchers frame their research in their attempts to discover knowledge.

1.2 The nature of my research is descriptive. This is because descriptive research is quantitative in nature and it attempts to collect information and statistically analyze it.

1.3 Descriptive research answers the “what” questions in statistical form.

The results obtained from descriptive research are in statistical form.

Random variables are used in descriptive research.

Descriptive researches are usually conducted in natural settings. For example, you can distribute questionnaires of surveys among random people in a particular environment.

In descriptive research different sections of the same group are studied.

1.4 The study will adopt Probability sampling which involves random selection, allowing you to make strong statistical inferences about the whole group.

1.5 One of the major ethical risks which I may come through is that the respondents may not be willing to help me conduct the research.

Another ethical risk is lack of trust from your respodents.to address this risk I will present a letter given by head of research department to allow me conduct a research for me to build a trust with my respondents.