Research methods

Areeba Farheen

Department of Psychology, Hazara University Mansehra

Research Methodology I

Miss Summaira Naz

November 1, 2021
 Research

Research methods are specific procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Developing

your research methods is an integral part of your research design. When planning your methods,

there are two key decisions you will make.

Types of research methods

1. Quantitative research

2. Qualitative research

3. Basic research

4. Applied research

1. Qualitative research

Qualitative research is the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting non-numerical

data, such as language. Qualitative research can be used to understand how an individual

subjectively perceives and gives meaning to their social reality (Mcload, 2019).

Types of qualitative research

1. Phenomenological studies:

Phenomenological studies examine human experiences through the descriptions provided by

the people involved. These experiences are called lived experiences. The goal of

phenomenological studies is to describe the meaning that experiences hold for each subject.

2. Ethnographic studies:

Ethnographic studies involve the collection and analysis of data about cultural groups.

3. Grounded Theory Studies:

 Grounded theory is a qualitative research approach developed by two sociologists, Glaser

and Strauss (1967). Grounded theory studies are studies in which data are collected and

analyzed and then a theory is developed that is grounded in the data.

4. Historical Studies:

Historical studies concern the identification, location, evaluation, and synthesis of data from

the past. Historical research seeks not only to discover the events of the past but to relate

these past happenings to the present and to the future.

5. Case Studies:

Case studies are in-depth examinations of people or groups of people. A case study could

also examine an institution, such as hospice care for the dying. The case method has its roots

in sociology and has also been used a great deal in anthropology.

6. Action Research Studies:

Action research is a type of qualitative research that seeks action to improve practice and

study the effects of the action that was taken. Solutions are sought to practice problems in

one particular hospital or health care setting. There is no goal of trying to generalize the

findings of the study, as is the case in quantitative research studies.

2. Quantitative research

Quantitative research involves the process of objectively collecting and analyzing numerical

data to describe, predict, or control variables of interest. The goals of quantitative research are

to test causal relationships between variables, make predictions, and generalize results to wider

populations. Common quantitative methods include experiments, observations recorded as

numbers, and surveys with closed-ended questions. For example, conducting a computer

simulation on vehicle strike impacts to collect quantitative data (Mcload, 2021).

 Types of quantitative research

1. Descriptive research:

It seeks to describe the current status of an identified variable. These research projects are

designed to provide systematic information about a phenomenon.

2. Correlational research:

This attempts to determine the extent of a relationship between two or more variables

using statistical data. In this type of design, relationships between and among a number of

facts are sought and interpreted.

3. Causal-comparative/quasi experimental research:

This attempts to establish cause effect relationships among the variables. These types of

design are very similar to true experiments, but with some key differences.

4. Experimental research:

This research is often as called true experimentation, uses the scientific method to

establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables that make up a study.

Differences between qualitative and quantitative research

Quantitative research Qualitative research

Focuses on testing theories and hypotheses Focuses on exploring ideas and formulating a

theory or hypothesis
Analyzed through math and statistical Analyzed by summarizing, categorizing and

analysis Mainly expressed in numbers, graphs interpreting

and tables
Requires many respondents Mainly expressed in words
Closed (multiple choice) questions Requires few respondents Open-ended

questions
Similarities between quantitative and qualitative research

1. One similarity between qualitative and quantitative research is that raw data is ultimately

qualitative. Even though numbers are unbiased, the researcher still has to choose some

numbers and disregard others.

2. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods involve the researcher. The difference is

in how involved he is.

3. The reality of quantitative and qualitative research is that most studies are mixed. In order to

get a full picture of a topic, a good researcher needs to use a combination of both raw data

and individual impressions (Grover, 2021).

4. Basic research

Basic research, or fundamental research, is a type of investigation focused on improving the

understanding of a particular phenomenon, study or law of nature. This type of research examines data

to find the unknown and fulfill a sense of curiosity. Usually, these involve "how," "what" and "why"

questions to explain occurrences. For example a study looking at how alcohol consumption impacts

the brain.

5. Applied research

The pursuit of information that can be directly applied to practice is aptly known

as applied research. The goal of this research is to determine the applicability of theory and

principles by testing hypotheses within specific settings. For example investigating treatment and

management options for anxiety and panic attacks (iEduNote.com, 2021).

Types of Applied Research

1. Evaluation Research: Evaluation research is a type of applied research that analyses

existing information about a research subject to arrive at objective research outcomes

or reach informed decisions.

2. Research and Development: Research and development is a type of applied research

that is focused on developing new products and services based on the needs of target

markets.

3. Action Research: Action research is a type of applied research that is set on

providing practical solutions to specific business problems by pointing the business in

the right directions.

Differences between basic and applied research

Basic research Applied research

Basic research focuses on the advancement of Applied research directs its efforts toward finding

knowledge. a solution to a specific problem.

In basic research, they look to fill any existing Applied research focuses on discovering new

gaps in information. information.

Information found through basic research can Information found through applied research can

help develop theories help solve particular problems.

basic research helps society learn more about a Applied research tends to have more of a

particular field of study commercial gain.

Basic research tends to be a more universal Applied research focuses on solving one

research method since it applies to a variety of particular problem, it tends to have a more

concepts. specific utility.

Similarities between basic and applied research

 1. They use the same data collection methods and processes. These include quantitative and

qualitative data collection methods like surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and focus

groups.

2. The results of basic research serve as the applied research’s bedrock.

3. Both types of research use deductive and inductive reasoning to support the research

hypothesis. Inductive reasoning entails moving from an idea to an observation. On the

other hand, inductive reasoning entails moving from observation to an idea.

References

1. OECD (2015). Frascati Manual. The Measurement of Scientific, Technological and

Innovation Activities. doi:10.1787/9789264239012-en.  ISBN  978-9264238800.

2. Mcleod, S. (2019, July 30). What’s the difference between qualitative and quantitative

research? Https://Www.Simplypsychology.Org/Qualitative-Quantitative.Html.

https://www.simplypsychology.org/qualitative-quantitative.html.

3. Streefkerk, R. (2021, August 13). Qualitative vs. quantitative research. Scribbr.

https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/qualitative-quantitative-research.
4. Grover, S. (2021, July 6). What Are the Similarities Between Qualitative & Quantitative

Research? Pen and the Pad. https://penandthepad.com/similarities-between-qualitative-

quantitative-research-8131662.html.

5. iEduNote.com. (2021, February 2). Applied Research: Definition, Examples. IEduNote.

https://www.iedunote.com/applied-research.