Research Methods and Ethics

Types of Research Methods

• Qualitative Research: Focuses on collecting and analyzing non-numerical data to gain insights into people's attitudes, behaviors, and motivations.
  • Methods: Case studies, interviews, focus groups, content analysis
• Quantitative Research: Focuses on collecting and analyzing numerical data to test hypotheses and predict outcomes.
  • Methods: Surveys, experiments, polls, statistical analysis

Research Designs

• Experimental Design: Manipulates one or more independent variables to observe their effect on a dependent variable.
  • Example: Investigating the effect of a new medication on blood pressure
• Quasi-Experimental Design: Lacks random assignment of participants to groups, but still compares outcomes between groups.
  • Example: Comparing student performance between two different teaching methods
• Survey Research: Collects data through self-reported measures, such as questionnaires or interviews.
  • Example: Investigating public opinion on a social issue
• Case Study: In-depth examination of a single case or a small number of cases.
  • Example: Analyzing a company's marketing strategy

Data Collection Methods

• Primary Data: Collected directly by the researcher through experiments, surveys, or observations.
• Secondary Data: Already exists and is collected from other sources, such as literature reviews or existing datasets.

Data Analysis

• Descriptive Statistics: Summarizes and describes the basic features of the data.
• Inferential Statistics: Makes inferences about a population based on a sample of data.
• Qualitative Data Analysis: Identifies patterns and themes in non-numerical data.

Research Ethics

• Informed Consent: Participants must understand the research and give their voluntary consent.
• Anonymity and Confidentiality: Protecting participants' identities and ensuring their responses remain confidential.
• Deception and Debriefing: Avoiding deception and debriefing participants after the study.