Published on
21 April 2023
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
22 June 2023.
ChatGPT is a popular chatbot released by OpenAI in late 2022. Chatbots, or computer programs that simulate human interactions via artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP), can help answer many academic questions.
While using ChatGPT for your studies can be really useful, particularly for help with exam preparation, homework assignments, or academic writing, it is not without its limitations. It’s essential to keep in mind that AI language models like ChatGPT are still developing technologies and are far from perfect. Current limitations include:
NoteUniversities and other educational institutions are still developing their policies on how ChatGPT (and similar tools) may and may not be used by students. Always follow your institution’s guidelines over any suggestions you read online.
Published on
24 March 2023
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
4 July 2024.
Quantitative observation is a research method that involves measuring and quantifying characteristics of a phenomenon. It hinges upon gathering numerical data, such as measurements or counts, that can be expressed in terms of a quantitative value.
Measuring the length of a flower’s stem, counting the number of bees in a hive, or recording the temperature of a greenhouse are all examples of quantitative observations. These types of observations are typically objective, meaning that they can be replicated and verified by other observers using the same measurement techniques.
Example: Quantitative observationYou are interested in the effects of caffeine consumption on heart rate. You ask your participants to consume a caffeinated beverage of their choice, and you measure their heart rate using a heart rate monitor before and after consumption. The heart rate data is recorded and analysed to determine if there is a significant increase in heart rate after consuming the caffeinated beverage, or if there is a difference between beverages, such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks.
Quantitative observations are often used in scientific research for data collection and hypothesis testing, but they are also commonly used in everyday life to help make decisions or solve problems based on numerical information.
Qualitative observation is a research method where the characteristics or qualities of a phenomenon are described without using any quantitative measurements or data. Rather, the observation is based on the observer’s subjective interpretation of what they see, hear, smell, taste, or feel.
Example: Qualitative observationYou are interested in studying the behaviour of children at a local after-school programme using qualitative observation. You attend a few sessions, jotting down what you see. Observations like ‘the child seems hesitant’, ‘the child avoids making eye contact’ or ‘the child prefers to play alone’ describe the behaviour of the children you are observing, but they do not involve numerical data or measurements.
Qualitative observations can be done using various methods, including direct observation, interviews, focus groups, or case studies. They can provide rich and detailed information about the behaviour, attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of individuals or groups.
Participant observation is a research method where the researcher immerses themself in a particular social setting or group, observing the behaviours, interactions, and practices of the participants. This can be a valuable method for any research project that seeks to understand the experiences of individuals or groups in a particular social context.
In participant observation, the researcher is called a participant-observer, meaning that they participate in the group’s activities while also observing the group’s behaviour and interactions. There is flexibility in the level of participation, ranging from non-participatory (the weakest) to complete participation (the strongest but most intensive.) The goal here is to gain a deep understanding of the group’s culture, beliefs, and practices from an ‘insider’ perspective.
Example: Participant observationYou are interested in studying the behaviour and social interactions of a particular subculture at your school (skateboarders).
You immerse yourself in this subculture by spending time at skateparks, attending skateboarding events, and engaging with skateboarders. Perhaps you may even learn to skateboard yourself, in order to better understand the experiences of your study participants.
As you observe, you take notes on the behaviour, language, norms, and values you witness and also conduct informal unstructured interviews with individual skateboarders to gain further insight into their thoughts and lived experiences.
You could then use your data to develop theories or insights about skateboarder subculture and its role, whether at your school or in broader society.
Typically used in fields like anthropology, sociology, and other social sciences, this method is often used to gather rich and detailed data about social groups or phenomena through ethnographies or other qualitative research.
A cohort study is a type of observational study that follows a group of participants over a period of time, examining how certain factors (like exposure to a given risk factor) affect their health outcomes. The individuals in the cohort have a characteristic or lived experience in common, such as birth year or geographic area.
Example: Cohort studyThe Millennium Cohort Study is a large-scale cohort study that began in 2000. It aims to investigate the health of children born in the United Kingdom between 2000 and 2002.
The initial cohort consisted of about 18,000 newborns. They were enrolled in the study shortly after birth, with regular follow-ups, medical examinations, and cognitive assessments to track their physical, social, and cognitive development.
The Millennium Cohort Study has generated numerous findings on a wide range of health and social issues. In particular, it has highlighted the importance of early childhood education for cognitive development, and the impact of familial and social factors on children’s health.
Cohort studies are particularly useful for identifying risk factors for diseases. They can help researchers identify potential interventions to help prevent or treat the disease, and are often used in fields like medicine or healthcare research.
Published on
15 February 2023
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
19 June 2023.
A prospective cohort study is a type of observational study focused on following a group of people (called a cohort) over a period of time, collecting data on their exposure to a factor of interest. Their outcomes are then tracked, in order to investigate the association between the exposure and the outcome.
NoteProspective cohort studies look forwards in time, to examine the relationship between the exposure and the outcome.
It is crucial to note that in order to be considered a prospective cohort study, your participants must not possess the disease or health outcome being studied.
Example: Prospective cohort studyOne of the most famous examples of a prospective cohort study is the Nurses’ Health Study. Beginning in 1976 and spanning several decades, it followed a large group of female nurses in the United States.
The study collected data on various risk factors, including diet, smoking, physical activity, and consumption of alcohol. It also tracked the occurrence of a variety of adverse health outcomes, such as heart disease and cancer.
The study provided many new and important insights into the relationship between lifestyle and health outcomes in women. It has led to many recommendations for policy around disease prevention and healthy habit promotion.
Published on
13 February 2023
by
Tegan George
Revised on
1 May 2023.
ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI in November of 2022. Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human interactions via artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP). ChatGPT has quickly become popular with students due to its ability to help answer many academic questions.
You can use ChatGPT in the following areas of your studies:
NoteUniversities and other educational institutions are still developing their policies on how ChatGPT (and similar tools) may and may not be used by students. Always follow your institution’s guidelines over any suggestions you read online.
Published on
10 February 2023
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
19 June 2023.
A retrospective cohort study is a type of observational study that focuses on individuals who have an exposure to a disease or risk factor in common. Retrospective cohort studies analyse the health outcomes over a period of time to form connections and assess the risk of a given outcome associated with a given exposure.
NoteRetrospective cohort studies look backwards in time to examine the relationship between the exposure and the outcome.
It is crucial to note that in order to be considered a retrospective cohort study, your participants must already possess the disease or health outcome being studied.
Example: Retrospective cohort studyYou are interested in how mosquito-borne diseases spread. You interview a cohort of people who have been hospitalised with severe dengue fever, asking about the events surrounding their illness and their medical history to study the spread of the disease.
A case-control study is an experimental design that compares a group of participants possessing a condition of interest to a very similar group lacking that condition. Here, the participants possessing the attribute of study, such as a disease, are called the ‘case’, and those without it are the ‘control’.
It’s important to remember that the case group is chosen because they already possess the attribute of interest. The point of the control group is to facilitate investigation, e.g., studying whether the case group systematically exhibits that attribute more than the control group does.
Example: Case-control studyYou are interested in the effects of exposure to a particular chemical on diagnoses of mesothelioma, a type of cancer. Here, you would compare those exposed (your case group) with those not exposed (your control group) to the chemical in question.
This would allow you to observe whether the people exposed to the chemical had more instances of mesothelioma than those who weren’t exposed.
Published on
27 January 2023
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
21 April 2023.
Action research is a research method that aims to simultaneously investigate and solve an issue. In other words, as its name suggests, action research conducts research and takes action at the same time. It was first coined as a term in 1944 by MIT professor Kurt Lewin.
A highly interactive method, action research is often used in the social sciences, particularly in educational settings. Particularly popular with educators as a form of systematic inquiry, it prioritises reflection and bridges the gap between theory and practice. Due to the nature of the research, it is also sometimes called a cycle of action or a cycle of inquiry.
