Research is a dynamic and systematic procedure, whose aim is to establish one or more facts. Because the process is generally dynamic, there are different methods of conducting it (Houghton, Casey & Shaw 2013). The type of research strategy, approach, and technique to be employed is entirely dependent on the type of research to be done, and the expected result (Creswell 2009). This article explains the various research methods used in different scenarios.
Research Strategies
There are two main strategies used in research procedures: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research is usually done to investigate the causes of an event (Tracy 2012). This is achieved by collecting the opinions, suggestions, and experiences of people who are connected to the phenomenon. On the other hand, quantitative research is mainly based on figures and involves the collection of data from a representative sample (Marlow 2010). The information is then quantified as numbers, fractions, or percentages. Furthermore, some research procedures usually require the application of both qualitative and quantitative strategies. In this case, qualitative research is done to isolate the topics to be subjected to quantitative research.
Research Approaches
There are various approaches to research procedures. The following are the four main categories of research:
Action research
This refers to an approach whereby the party conducting the research is the same one that would implement its findings. In this case, the researcher seeks to find information about an action that is already happening (Vijay & Kuechler 2007). It aims to evaluate the action and establish whether its objectives would be achieved in the long run.
Case study
A case study is a research approach in which the researcher comes up with a situation that is similar to the one under investigation, then uses it to collect the necessary information (Ember 2009). The situation may be real or hypothetical. Thereafter, the researcher uses the situation to imagine the decisions they would have made, should they have been in the same (Yin 2009). From that stage, the possible decisions are compiled and analyzed comprehensively.
Experiment
This refers to a research approach that incorporates scientific principles and is mainly done in laboratories (Lavalee 2009). It is used in different scenarios, including making discoveries, testing hypotheses, and proving facts that are already known.
Survey
This refers to a type of research that is done to establish the general view and perception of a given population of people (Denzin, Lincoln & Smith 2008). It uses a population sample as a representative of its whole. In surveys, the respondents are given an opportunity of sharing their experiences and feelings about the subject in question.
Research Techniques for Data Collection
A research process is as good as the instruments used to gather its data (Wysocki 2007). As such, the method used to collect data should be chosen very keenly. The most common technique is the use of interviews, which can be held directly, or through phone calls. Interviews are very effective since they give the researcher an opportunity of collecting a lot of information from a direct source (Jackson 2011). Secondly, data can also be collected through the use of questionnaires. In this case, the research questions are written down, then given to the respondents to answer. This is effective where the respondents are spread over a large geographic area, in which interviewing would be uneconomical (Ader 2008). Apart from that, a researcher can also collect data through personal observation as well as lab experimentation.
In conclusion, this article has attempted to explain the various research methods that are available to researchers. As such, anyone undertaking a research procedure should ensure that they choose the best method, depending on the dynamics of their investigation.
References
Ader, JH & Mellenbergh, GJ 2008, Advising on research methods: a consultant’s companion, Johannes van Kessel Publishing, Netherlands.
Creswell, JW 2009, Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, 3rd edn, Sage Publications, London.
Denzin, NK, Lincoln, YS & Smith, LT 2008, Handbook of critical and indigenous methodologies, Sage Publications Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA.
Ember, CR 2009, Cross cultural research methods, Rowman Altamira, Washington DC.
Houghton, C, Casey, D & Shaw, D 2013, ‘Rigour in qualitative case-study research’, Nurse Researcher, vol. 20.
Jackson, S 2011, Research methods and statistics: a critical thinking approach, 4th edn, Cengage Learning, United States.
Lavalee, L 2009, ‘Practical application of an indigenous research framework and two qualitative indigenous research methods: sharing circles and Anishnaabe symbol based reflection’, Int J Qual Method, vol 2.
Marlow, CR 2010, Research methods for generalist social work, Cengage Learning: United Kingdom.
Tracy, SJ 2012, Qualitative research methods: collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact, John Wiley & Sons, United States.
Vijay, KV & Kuechler, WJ 2007, Design science research methods and patterns. Auerbach, USA.
Wysocki, DK 2007, Readings in social research methods. 3rd edn, Cengage Learning, United States.
Yin, RK 2009, Case study research: design and methods, 4th edn, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks CA.