Glossary of terms

I have looked into some of the methods and terms which are relevant for research, particularly within my areas of interest.

Observation/Shadowing Analysis - This method looks at people in their environments and watching their behaviour. This could be used within my field as a way of understanding the target market. Within my essay question it could be used in the workplace setting to understand the stresses and causes of ill well-being.

Role Playing - This involves participants taking on personas, which allows for the studying of interpersonal behaviour. It could be used to take on the role of another or for acting as if a set of criteria were true.

Focus Groups - These involve a number of participants, where they discuss and idea or concept which is given to them by the leader. It allows for conversation which allows for ideas to bounce across the different people involved.

Documentary research - This method using secondary sources such as newspapers, certificates (e.g. birth, death, marriage), census's, books, diaries, surveys e.t.c. These are then analysed and translated to either qualitative or quantitative data.

Scenario Building - This looks at creating or building an event or series of events in order to consider the outcomes of these. This could be used within the area of sustainable materials to discuss the effects that it could be having on the environment.

Video Ethnography - This is the recording of participants in their natural setting or within a particular environment in order to study behaviour. It allows for a deeper understanding or their society and culture and for it to be interpreted into data which can be analysed.