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resources using the best tools - whether wood planks, bricks
or tiles. Surveys, experiments and interviews are your tools
Proper tools
to retrieve the raw materials your research requires. Choose
wisely for robust results.

Sampling: Getting a representative sample is like
gathering a basket of fruit from the supermarket. You want
Diversity drives the full range - oranges, apples, bananas and grapes - for
validity a balanced nutritional basket. Just oranges alone make for
a skewed sample. Sampling broadly gives results you can
generalise reliably.

Data analysis: Now for making sense of the data, like
Thoughtful constructing the house from the materials you've foraged,
analysis stats analysis and thematic coding are your tools for piecing
together key insights, just as nails, screws and glue assemble
the walls, roof and floors. Careful synthesis yields a sturdy
end result.

Validity and reliability: Ensuring robustness in your
Ensure methods is like stress-testing new trainers before a marathon.
durability Validity checks of the findings truly reflect the conditions
studied, while reliability confirms consistently reproducible
results. Both are vital to avoid research that falls apart
halfway through the race!

Ethical considerations: Finally, protecting research
participants is akin to keeping tourists safe when visiting
Prioritise ancient ruins. Guide them responsibly, avoid any harm, and
people do not proceed without informed consent. People's welfare

should be the overriding priority during the journey of
discovery.

Fig 1.2.5 Characteristics of a good research design

46 SGOU - SLM - Foundational Skills for Research and Writing