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Research Methods – Types, Examples and Guide

April 12, 2023by Muhammad Hassan

Table of Contents

Research Methods

Types of Research Methods

Qualitative research Method

Quantitative Research Method

Mixed Method Research

Key Differences Between Research Methods

Examples of Research Methods

Applications of Research Methods

Purpose of Research Methods

When to Use Research Methods

Advantages of Research Methods

Research Methods

Research Methods

Definition:

Research Methods refer to the techniques, procedures, and processes used by researchers to collect,
analyze, and interpret data in order to answer research questions or test hypotheses. The methods used
in research can vary depending on the research questions, the type of data that is being collected, and
the research design.
Types of Research Methods

Types of Research Methods are as follows:

Qualitative research Method

Qualitative research methods are used to collect and analyze non-numerical data. This type of research
is useful when the objective is to explore the meaning of phenomena, understand the experiences of
individuals, or gain insights into complex social processes. Qualitative research methods include
interviews, focus groups, ethnography, and content analysis.

Quantitative Research Method

Quantitative research methods are used to collect and analyze numerical data. This type of research is
useful when the objective is to test a hypothesis, determine cause-and-effect relationships, and measure
the prevalence of certain phenomena. Quantitative research methods include surveys, experiments, and
secondary data analysis.

Mixed Method Research

Mixed Method Research refers to the combination of both qualitative and quantitative research
methods in a single study. This approach aims to overcome the limitations of each individual method
and to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the research topic. This approach allows
researchers to gather both quantitative data, which is often used to test hypotheses and make
generalizations about a population, and qualitative data, which provides a more in-depth understanding
of the experiences and perspectives of individuals.

Key Differences Between Research Methods

The following Table shows the key differences between Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Research
Methods

Research Method Quantitative Qualitative Mixed Methods

Purpose To measure and quantify variables To understand the meaning and complexity of
phenomena To integrate both quantitative and qualitative approaches
Research question Typically focused on testing hypotheses and determining cause and effect
relationships Typically exploratory and focused on understanding the subjective experiences and
perspectives of participants Can be either, depending on the research design

Data collection Usually involves standardized measures or surveys administered to large samples
Often involves in-depth interviews, observations, or analysis of texts or other forms of data
Usually involves a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods

Data analysis Typically involves statistical analysis to identify patterns and relationships in the data
Typically involves thematic analysis or other qualitative methods to identify themes and patterns
in the data Usually involves both quantitative and qualitative analysis

Strengths Can provide precise, objective data that can be generalized to a larger population
Can provide rich, detailed data that can help understand complex phenomena in depth Can
combine the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative approaches

Limitations May not capture the full complexity of phenomena, and may be limited by the quality of
the measures used May be subjective and may not be generalizable to larger populations Can be
time-consuming and resource-intensive, and may require specialized skills

Typically focused on testing hypotheses and determining cause-and-effect relationships Surveys,

experiments, correlational studies Interviews, focus groups, ethnography Sequential explanatory
design, convergent parallel design, explanatory sequential design

Examples of Research Methods

Examples of Research Methods are as follows:

Qualitative Research Example:

A researcher wants to study the experience of cancer patients during their treatment. They conduct in-
depth interviews with patients to gather data on their emotional state, coping mechanisms, and support
systems.

Quantitative Research Example:

A company wants to determine the effectiveness of a new advertisement campaign. They survey a large
group of people, asking them to rate their awareness of the product and their likelihood of purchasing
it.
Mixed Research Example:

A university wants to evaluate the effectiveness of a new teaching method in improving student
performance. They collect both quantitative data (such as test scores) and qualitative data (such as
feedback from students and teachers) to get a complete picture of the impact of the new method.

Applications of Research Methods

Research methods are used in various fields to investigate, analyze, and answer research questions.
Here are some examples of how research methods are applied in different fields:

Psychology: Research methods are widely used in psychology to study human behavior, emotions, and
mental processes. For example, researchers may use experiments, surveys, and observational studies to
understand how people behave in different situations, how they respond to different stimuli, and how
their brains process information.

Sociology: Sociologists use research methods to study social phenomena, such as social inequality, social
change, and social relationships. Researchers may use surveys, interviews, and observational studies to
collect data on social attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

Medicine: Research methods are essential in medical research to study diseases, test new treatments,
and evaluate their effectiveness. Researchers may use clinical trials, case studies, and laboratory
experiments to collect data on the efficacy and safety of different medical treatments.

Education: Research methods are used in education to understand how students learn, how teachers
teach, and how educational policies affect student outcomes. Researchers may use surveys,
experiments, and observational studies to collect data on student performance, teacher effectiveness,
and educational programs.

Business: Research methods are used in business to understand consumer behavior, market trends, and
business strategies. Researchers may use surveys, focus groups, and observational studies to collect
data on consumer preferences, market trends, and industry competition.

Environmental science: Research methods are used in environmental science to study the natural world
and its ecosystems. Researchers may use field studies, laboratory experiments, and observational
studies to collect data on environmental factors, such as air and water quality, and the impact of human
activities on the environment.
Political science: Research methods are used in political science to study political systems, institutions,
and behavior. Researchers may use surveys, experiments, and observational studies to collect data on
political attitudes, voting behavior, and the impact of policies on society.

Purpose of Research Methods

Research methods serve several purposes, including:

Identify research problems: Research methods are used to identify research problems or questions that
need to be addressed through empirical investigation.

Develop hypotheses: Research methods help researchers develop hypotheses, which are tentative
explanations for the observed phenomenon or relationship.

Collect data: Research methods enable researchers to collect data in a systematic and objective way,
which is necessary to test hypotheses and draw meaningful conclusions.

Analyze data: Research methods provide tools and techniques for analyzing data, such as statistical
analysis, content analysis, and discourse analysis.

Test hypotheses: Research methods allow researchers to test hypotheses by examining the relationships
between variables in a systematic and controlled manner.

Draw conclusions: Research methods facilitate the drawing of conclusions based on empirical evidence
and help researchers make generalizations about a population based on their sample data.

Enhance understanding: Research methods contribute to the development of knowledge and enhance
our understanding of various phenomena and relationships, which can inform policy, practice, and
theory.

When to Use Research Methods

Research methods are used when you need to gather information or data to answer a question or to
gain insights into a particular phenomenon.

Here are some situations when research methods may be appropriate:

To investigate a problem: Research methods can be used to investigate a problem or a research

question in a particular field. This can help in identifying the root cause of the problem and developing
solutions.
To gather data: Research methods can be used to collect data on a particular subject. This can be done
through surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, and more.

To evaluate programs: Research methods can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a program,
intervention, or policy. This can help in determining whether the program is meeting its goals and
objectives.

To explore new areas: Research methods can be used to explore new areas of inquiry or to test new
hypotheses. This can help in advancing knowledge in a particular field.

To make informed decisions: Research methods can be used to gather information and data to support
informed decision-making. This can be useful in various fields such as healthcare, business, and
education.

Advantages of Research Methods

Research methods provide several advantages, including:

Objectivity: Research methods enable researchers to gather data in a systematic and objective manner,
minimizing personal biases and subjectivity. This leads to more reliable and valid results.

Replicability: A key advantage of research methods is that they allow for replication of studies by other
researchers. This helps to confirm the validity of the findings and ensures that the results are not specific
to the particular research team.

Generalizability: Research methods enable researchers to gather data from a representative sample of
the population, allowing for generalizability of the findings to a larger population. This increases the
external validity of the research.

Precision: Research methods enable researchers to gather data using standardized procedures, ensuring
that the data is accurate and precise. This allows researchers to make accurate predictions and draw
meaningful conclusions.

Efficiency: Research methods enable researchers to gather data efficiently, saving time and resources.
This is especially important when studying large populations or complex phenomena.

Innovation: Research methods enable researchers to develop new techniques and tools for data
collection and analysis, leading to innovation and advancement in the field.

Survey InstrumentsSurvey Instruments – List and Their Uses AppendicesAppendices – Writing Guide,
Types and Examples

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

View all posts

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