UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DEL CARMEN
FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS EDUCATIVAS
Methodology
Quantitative research
A quantitative research is that
research that gathers and
analyzes quantitative data to
approve a hypothesis or
hypotheses based on the
numerical measurement and
statistical analysis (quantity
or amount). This type of
research is based on studies
cause-effect.
Methodology
Qualitative research
Type of study Techniques Instruments
Descriptive research
Descriptive research specifies the properties,
characteristics, objects, processes or any other
phenomenon that is subjected to an analysis. Kothari
֍Interview
(2004) sets out that a “descriptive research includes
֍Case studies
surveys and fact-finding enquires of different kinds” (p.2).
֍Survey
In this research, the researcher does not control the
֍Observation
stipulated variables so he can file a report what is happing
around. Descriptive studies measure concepts or collect
information about them.
Correlational research
A correlational research tries to determine how the
concepts or characteristics relate to each other.
McBurney and White (2009) argue that a correlational
research “measures two or more variables to determine
the degree of relationship between them” (p. 220). It
֍Statistical techniques
associates variables within a predictable pattern for a
group or population and is used to infer causation when
experimental data are not available. This type of research
has as purpose to know the relationship that exists
between two or more concepts or variables in a context.
Quasi experimental
Quasi experimental is a derivation of experimental
‫۝‬Questionnaire
research. It is an experiment that is not real and is used
‫۝‬Field survey
when it is not possible to make a random selection of the
‫۝‬Interview
subjects participating in those studies. Therefore, a
characteristic of this research is to include groups already
֍Standardized tests
constituted and only one group is given treatment and
֍Interviews
then assessed.
֍Observations
Wiersma and Jurs (2009) Quasi experimental research “is
֍Pre-test and Post-test
similar to experimental research in that one or more
experimental variables are involved […] instead of having
participants randomly assigned to experimental
treatments, naturally assembled groups, such as classes,
are used in the research” (p.16)
Experimental
Quasi experimental is the only type of research that tries
to influence a variable and to establish relations of cause
and effect between the variables. Kothari (2004) affirms
that an “experimental research is characterized by much
greater control over the research environment and in this ֍Pres-test
case some variables are manipulated to observe their ֍Post-test
effect on other variables” (p.5). This type of research
includes two types of groups, which receives the
treatment is called experimental group and the one that
does not receive control group.
Type of study Techniques Instruments
Phenomenological study
Phenomenological study is a study that tries to
understand people's perceptions, perspectives and
interpretations of a situation (or phenomenon). The focus ֍Interviews
of phenomenological research is what people experience ֍Diary
in relation to some phenomenon or how these ֍Drawings
experiences are interpreted. Small samples (no more than ֍Observation
10 participants) are best suited for this type of research s
large samples can become difficult to handle.
Ethnographic studies
Ethnographic studies is a research method by which one
learns the way of life of a concrete social unit, being it a
family, a class, a faculty or a school (Rodríguez, 2014). It
is the best known and used method in the educational field ֍Observation

Qualitative research avoids
the quantity. it is concerned
with qualitative phenomenon,
i.e. phenomena relating to or
involving quality or kind. This
type research aims at
discovering the underlying
motives and desires, using in
depth interviews for the
purpose. It is important in the
behavioral sciences where
the aim is to discover the
motives of human behavior.
Researchers apply
techniques as observation
and interviews.
Methodology
Mixed
Mixed research arises from
the combination of the other
two approaches (quantitative
and qualitative) and it leads to
better research results. The
mixed research is a process
that collects, analyzes and
links quantitative and
qualitative data in the same
research study to respond to
an approach.
Name: William Atila Avendaño Cruz
References
Charmaz, K (2003). Grounded Theory. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. SAGE
Publications.
McBurney, D. & White, T. (2009). Research methods. USA: Wadsworth Cengage learning.
Kothari, C. (2004). Research Methodology: Methods and Technique. New Age International.
Wiersma, W & Jurs, S. (2009). Research methods in education. USA: Pearson.
Yin, R. (2003). Case study research: Design and methods. USA: Sage publications.
to analyze the teaching practice, to describe it from the ֍Interview
point of view of the people who participate in it and to ֍Written materials (docu-
approach a social situation. Wieresma and Jurs (2009) ments)
describes ethnography as an in-depth, analytical
description of a specific cultural situation, in the broad
meaning of culture (p. 17). The purpose of it is to describe
and interpret cultural behavior.
Grounded theory studies
Grounded theory studies Involves the collection and
֍Interviewing parti- cipants ‫۝‬Observation
analysis of data and the he analysis and development of
with open-ended questions ‫۝‬Interview
theories happens after having collected the data. it refers
֍Participant Observation ‫۝‬Questionnaire
to a set of systematic inductive methods for conducting
(fieldwork) and/or focus ‫۝‬Life story
qualitative research aimed toward theory development.
groups ‫۝‬Group
Charmaz (2003) believes that researchers use this term
֍Study of Artifacts and techniques
to mean the methods of inquiry for collecting and
Texts
analyzing data.
Historical studies
A Historical study is the systematic collection and
evaluation of data to describe, explain, and understand
actions or events that occurred sometime in the past.
֍Documents
Kothari (2004) affirms that “it is that which utilizes
֍Numerical records
historical sources like documents, remains, and so on. to
֍Oral statements
study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy
֍Relics
of persons and groups at any remote point of time” (p.4).
Besides, in this research there is no control over
variables.
Case studies
The case study is one of several ways of doing social
research. it is a research method of a complex situation
֍Experiments
(classroom) based on the understanding of such situation,
֍Surveys
which is obtained through its description and analysis. Yin
֍Histories
(2012) defines that case studies “are the preferred
֍Analysis of archival
strategy when how or why questions are being posed,
information (in economic
when the investigator has little control over events, and
studies)
when the focus on contemporary phenomenon within
some real-life context” (p.1).
Action research studies
An action research studies is a study of a social situation
to improve the quality of action within it. Wiersma and Jurs
(2009) set out that an action research “focuses on the ֍Observations
solution of day-to-day problems at the local level” (p.12). ֍Questionnaires
It is usually conducted by teacher or other education ֍Interviews
professional for solving a specific problem and providing
information for decision making.
Type of study Techniques Instruments