Types of Research Methods

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Questions and Answers

What is a key strength of qualitative research?

It provides numerical data for easy analysis.

It relies heavily on statistical methods for validation.

It allows for the exploration of how and why phenomena occur. (correct)

It can generalize findings to a larger population.

Which of the following is a common weakness of qualitative research?

It produces highly quantitative results.

It is usually faster than quantitative research.

It is universally accepted by the scientific community.

It encourages researcher bias. (correct)

In what way does qualitative research differ in data collection compared to quantitative research?

Qualitative research focuses on statistical validity.

Qualitative research relies solely on laboratory experiments.

Qualitative research primarily uses surveys.

Qualitative research gathers data in naturalistic settings. (correct)

What challenge is often faced when presenting findings from qualitative research?

Issues of anonymity and confidentiality can arise. Signup and view all the answers

Why might qualitative research be considered to have lower credibility with some administrators?

The results can be influenced by personal biases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of scientific research?

To explain naturally occurring phenomena in the natural world Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design is characterized by addressing who, what, when, where, and how questions?

Descriptive design Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of action research?

It follows a cyclical process to address real problems Signup and view all the answers

What does exploratory design primarily focus on?

Gaining information on under-researched topics Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cohort design from other research designs?

It studies a group of people with shared characteristics over time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes experimental design?

Controlling and changing variables to study effects Signup and view all the answers

What type of research in the humanities seeks to define human existence?

Artistic research Signup and view all the answers

Causal design is primarily focused on what type of relationship?

Demonstrating cause-and-effect relationships between variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of a phenomenological study?

Describing human lived experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves the researcher immersing themselves in a culture?

Ethnographic study Signup and view all the answers

What type of sources provides firsthand information in historical studies?

Primary sources Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a case study?

To conduct an in-depth examination of an individual or group. Signup and view all the answers

In grounded theory studies, what is the nature of hypotheses formed?

They are tentative and suggestive. Signup and view all the answers

Which study type specifically evaluates the roles of individuals or groups in historical contexts?

Historical study Signup and view all the answers

What best describes secondary sources in research?

Secondhand information based on original sources. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes ethnographic studies from other research methods?

The researcher's active participation in the culture being studied. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of cross-sectional design research?

Collecting data from a group at a single point in time Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a longitudinal design from a cross-sectional design?

It follows the same group of people over a long period Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT associated with qualitative research?

It involves collecting numerical data Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of mixed-method design in research?

To combine various research methods for a holistic view Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the process of data collection in qualitative research?

Data is collected continuously until saturation is reached Signup and view all the answers

What does a phenomenological study aim to achieve?

Finding the essence of an experience through participants’ perspectives Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is emphasized in qualitative research compared to quantitative research?

Flexibility in data collection Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of quantitative research?

Emphasis on statistical analysis of numerical data Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of grounded theory studies?

To determine how professional identity is formed Signup and view all the answers

Which type of narrative analysis takes societal factors into account?

Biographical Analysis Signup and view all the answers

What does critical qualitative research aim to achieve?

Empower individuals and bring about change Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a strength of qualitative research?

Allows for guided questioning during interviews Signup and view all the answers

Which approach studies how language is used in texts and contexts?

Discourse Analysis Signup and view all the answers

What type of research seeks to analyze established facts and generalizations?

Postmodern research Signup and view all the answers

How does qualitative research typically handle participant numbers?

It can operate with few cases or participants Signup and view all the answers

What is often missed when relying solely on positivistic inquiries?

Contextual factors and settings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Different Types of Research

Research methods vary, each with unique approaches.
Scientific research aims to explain naturally occurring phenomena through credible theories.
Examples include research on climate change and gene therapy.
Humanities research seeks to understand the purpose of human existence by examining historical facts and possibilities.
Examples include relationships between religion and politics.
Artistic research provides alternative approaches to established concepts through practical methods instead of theoretical ones.

General Forms of Research

Research design is crucial for organizing research components for effective problem-solving.

Scientific Research

Seeks to explain natural phenomena using credible theories.
Examples of areas include climate change and gene therapy research.

Research in the Humanities

Seeks to define the purpose and meaning of humanity through historical facts and future possibilities.
Examples include the relationship between religion and politics.

Artistic Research

Offers alternative approaches to established concepts, using practical methods instead of theoretical ones.
It broadens the understanding of existing ideas and opens them to further interpretation.

Examples of Research Designs

Research design structures the components of a study to effectively address a problem.

Action Research

Utilizes a cyclical process where a problem is identified, an action plan developed and implemented, and the data collected analyzed to understand the problem better and assess the effectiveness of solutions.

Causal Design

Investigates how particular changes affect a situation, revealing cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

Descriptive Design

Answers questions related to a research problem (who, what, when, where, how) to present context from a particular time frame.
It provides insights into a relevant phenomenon at a specific moment to better understand certain phenomena.

Exploratory Design

Focuses on topics or problems where limited research has been conducted.
Aims to collect data and generate initial insights for future research.

Experimental Design

Involves controlling factors and variables to understand how changes affect certain phenomena.
Researchers manipulate variables to observe the associated outcomes.

Cohort Design

Studies groups of people sharing common traits over a certain period to understand how influencing factors impact the group’s changes and how these changes relate to the initial/studied problem.

Cross-Sectional Design

Examines a large group of individuals with diverse characteristics, with data collected over a specific period.
It determines how individuals are affected by a particular variable.

Longitudinal Design

Tracks individuals or groups over a sustained period to understand causal relationships and their impacts.
It also establishes the duration of these relationships and their influence on the group.

Mixed-Method Design

Combines various research designs and methods.
Qualitative and quantitative methods are often incorporated to create a comprehensive understanding of the research issue.

Research Methods

Determines how the researcher approaches data identification, collection, and analysis.

Quantitative Research

Collects and analyzes numerical data.
Focuses on testing theories, explaining phenomena, and drawing conclusions based on quantified information.

Qualitative Research

Collects and analyzes non-numerical data.
Explores human behaviors, social dynamics, and personal experiences to understand phenomena.
Aims to gain insights and understanding of an individual's interpretation of events and phenomena.

Characteristics of Qualitative Research

Flexibility in data collection and analysis methodologies.
Focuses on collecting information and insight through various mediums or methods.
It provides rich information and data from various perspectives in a thorough and immersive manner.
It's used to fully grasp and understand a phenomenon by gathering qualitative information from its environment and exploring different contexts.

Phenomenological Study

Seeks to understand the essence and structure of experiences by clarifying how complex meanings arise from basic experiences.
Focuses on lived experiences described by participants.

Ethnographic Study

Examines cultural groups or minorities by collecting and analyzing relevant data through immersion within their culture.

Historical Study

Examines past events to identify, locate, evaluate, and synthesize information.
It connects past experiences to the present and future.

Sources of Data for Historical Study

Includes documents (printed materials), relics/artifacts (physical remains from a specific historical period), and oral reports (passed-down information).

Classification of Data

Primary Sources: Materials providing firsthand information.
Secondary Sources: Accounts or materials based on primary sources.

Case Study

In-depth examination of individuals, groups, or institutions.
Provides information to assess the impact of significant events.

Grounded Theory Study

Compares collected data to create categories, properties, and hypotheses.
Generates theoretical explanations from observations on various collected data.

Narrative Analysis

Analyzes stories to understand how individuals experience and communicate occurrences of interest.
Uses personal life accounts as the primary data source based on participants’ personal experiences.

Common Types of Narrative Analysis

Psychological: Focuses on internal thoughts and motivations.
Biographical: Considers societal and class issues in relation to the subject's background and insights.
Discourse: Investigates the use of language in texts and its contexts.

Critical Qualitative Research

Aims to initiate change and empower individuals by analyzing and critiquing social, cultural, and psychological perspectives on contemporary events.

Postmodern Research

Examines established truths, the validity of research and science, and the validity of generalizations and typologies.

Basic Interpretative Qualitative Study

Explores how individuals assign meaning to situations and phenomena.

Strengths of Qualitative Research

Requires fewer participants.
Useful for detailed descriptions of complex phenomena.
Allows for detailed and in-depth exploration of research subjects.
Interviews can be flexible and adaptable.
Detailed analysis of individual cases and personal experiences.
Offers rich insights into the significance of contextual and setting factors.
Grounded theory can generate a tentative but explanatory theory for diverse phenomena and subjects.
Adaptable to various local settings, conditions, and stakeholders’ needs.

Weaknesses of Qualitative Research

Findings may not be broadly applicable.
Maintaining consistency and inflexibility can be challenging in data collection and analysis.
Data analysis is often time-consuming.
Less well understood and accepted, sometimes perceived as less rigorous than quantitative methods in certain academic contexts.
Researcher's presence can impact participant responses.
Difficulty creating universal/quantitative predictions.
Issues with anonymity and confidentiality can complicate data presentation and analysis.
Less suitable for researching large-scale or diverse populations.
Results can be susceptible to researcher bias and idiosyncrasies.
Less credibility with some individuals and certain programs.
Takes more time to perform than other research types

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Description

Explore the various types of research methods including scientific, humanities, and artistic research. Understand how each approach seeks to address different phenomena and human experiences. Dive into examples like climate change studies and the relationship between religion and politics.