Research Methods and Applied Inquiry

• Start from a decision someone must make, then ask what evidence would help.
• Write the question so it names who, what and where, for example: how many households in ward 12 buy water cans each week.
• Split a broad topic into two or three small questions.
• Reject questions that need opinion words such as best or good unless you define them.

Activity. Rewrite three broad topics as answerable questions.

Standard to meet. Name the group, the measure and the place in each question.

• Search for official statistics, past surveys and local reports before collecting new data.
• Note who wrote each source, when, and how they collected data.
• Prefer recent sources with a stated method and sample size.
• Keep a source table with title, year, finding and weakness.

Activity. Build a source table of six sources for your question.

Standard to meet. Record year, method, finding and one weakness in each row.

• Match the method to the question: counts need a survey, reasons need interviews, change needs a before and after.
• Define the population and a sampling frame, such as a list of 400 customers.
• Pick a random sample by drawing numbers, not the first people you meet.
• Decide sample size: about 80 of 400 gives a rough but useful picture.

Activity. Write a one-page design with a sample plan.

Standard to meet. State the population, sample size and selection method.

• Write each survey question with one idea and simple words.
• Offer answer choices that do not overlap, such as 0, 1 to 2, 3 or more.
• Pilot the form with five people and fix confusing items.
• Prepare a consent note that explains purpose, voluntary taking part and how data is kept private.

Activity. Produce a 10-question survey and a consent note.

Standard to meet. Pilot changes are logged and consent wording is plain.

• Record each answer on the day in a table with an ID, not a name.
• Check forms for blanks while the respondent is still present.
• Keep a log of refusals and unreachable people.
• Store files in a locked folder and delete phone numbers after the study.

Activity. Collect at least 60 responses and keep a response log.

Standard to meet. Calculate the response rate and list the non-responses in the log.

• Remove duplicates, fix typing errors and mark missing values, keeping the raw file untouched.
• Count each answer and turn counts into percentages.
• Compute the average and the middle value; use the middle value when a few answers are very large.
• Compare two groups with a simple table and a bar chart.

Activity. Analyse your data and make two charts.

Standard to meet. Keep the raw file, check figures against a recount and label the charts.

• List sources of bias: who was missed, who refused, how questions led.
• State what the study cannot show, for example that two things moving together does not prove one causes the other.
• Give a margin: with 62 answers a 50 percent result could reasonably be 12 points either way.
• Check the findings against past evidence.

Activity. Write a half-page limits section.

Standard to meet. Name at least three limits with their likely effect.

• Write the ten-page report: question, method, results, limits, recommendation.
• Lead with a one-paragraph summary of the answer.
• Use plain words, labelled charts and a source list.
• Present for 10 minutes and answer questions.

Activity. Submit the report and present it.

Standard to meet. Link every claim to a number, state the limits and make the recommendation follow the data.

Read 5 simple tables and charts, stating the highest value, the lowest value and one clear finding for each without error.

Speaker notes. Teacher gives a bar chart of monthly sales and asks for the top month and the gap to the lowest. Covered in module 6, Clean and analyse data.

Explain a research question and a sample in plain words, and judge 3 samples as fair or biased with one reason each.

Speaker notes. Teacher offers a sample of only shop owners near the road and checks the learner spots the bias. Covered in modules 1 and 3.

Run a survey of 20 people under guidance using an 8-question form, with consent noted and every answer entered in a sheet. Check local rules with an expert on data.

Speaker notes. Teacher checks the consent line on the form and the 20 complete rows. Covered in module 4, Build the instrument and consent.

Design and run a study alone with a clear question, a sample of 30 or more and a table of results with averages and one chart.

Speaker notes. Teacher reruns one average from the raw file and checks it matches. Covered in module 6, Clean and analyse data.

Review 3 studies of others with an 8-point bias checklist and write which findings can be trusted, and why, in under 300 words.

Speaker notes. Teacher checks each study has a score and at least one limit named.

Lead a team of 3 through a research programme with a plan, a task board and a data file kept clean, delivering a report by the agreed date.

Speaker notes. Teacher checks the raw data is unchanged and the cleaning steps are logged.

Write a standards guide covering consent, data storage and reporting, and train 5 researchers until each passes a 10-point audit of their own study.

Speaker notes. Teacher audits one study against the guide. Check local rules with an expert on data.