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By Ever Antonio Suncin Cornejo, Brenda Johanna Ortiz Lima and Jairo Estanley Mendoza Diaz
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This blog was created with the purpose of sharing meaningful, accurate, and reliable information about the different types of research.
We hope you find the information fruitful.
Quantitative Research
Definition
Quantitative research is expressed in numbers and graphs. It is used to test or confirm theories and assumptions. This type of research can be used to establish generalizable facts about a topic.
Common quantitative methods include experiments, observations recorded as numbers, and surveys with closed-ended questions.
Quantitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical data. It can be used to find patterns and averages, make predictions, test causal relationships, and generalize results to wider populations.
Quantitative research is widely used in the natural and social sciences: biology, chemistry, psychology, economics, sociology, marketing, etc.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
You can use quantitative research methods for descriptive, correlational, or experimental research.
In descriptive research, you simply seek an overall summary of your study variables.
In correlational research, you investigate relationships between your study variables.
In experimental research, you systematically examine whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship between variables.
Correlational and experimental research can both be used to formally test hypotheses, or predictions, using statistics. The results may be generalized to broader populations based on the sampling method used.
To collect quantitative data, you will often need to use operational definitions that translate abstract concepts (e.g., mood) into observable and quantifiable measures (e.g., self-ratings of feelings and energy levels).
Mixed-Method Research
Definition
Mixed methods research combines elements of quantitative research and qualitative research in order to answer your research question. Mixed methods can help you gain a more complete picture than a standalone quantitative or qualitative study, as it integrates the benefits of both methods.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
Mixed methods research is often used in the behavioral, health, and social sciences, especially in multidisciplinary settings and complex situational or societal research.
Mixed methods research may be the right choice if your research process suggests that quantitative or qualitative data alone will not sufficiently answer your research question. There are several common reasons for using mixed methods research:
Generalizability: Qualitative research usually has a smaller sample size, and thus is not generalizable. In mixed methods research, this comparative weakness is mitigated by the comparative strength of “large N,” externally valid quantitative research.
Contextualization: Mixing methods allows you to put findings in context and add richer detail to your conclusions. Using qualitative data to illustrate quantitative findings can help “put meat on the bones” of your analysis.
Credibility: Using different methods to collect data on the same subject can make your results more credible. If the qualitative and quantitative data converge, this strengthens the validity of your conclusions. This process is called triangulation.
Technological Research
Definition
Technological research proposes stimulating challenges starting from the new scenarios arising since the XX century, the environmental imperative imposes new responsibilities, the industrial production, requires the rethinking of the concept of "material culture" as well as new information technologies lead to new models of theoretical and conceptual elaboration.
The Technological Research Methodology describes how technology develops and improves. It is analogous to scientific methodology. The Technological Research Methodology describes how technology develops and improves. It is analogous to scientific methodology.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
Technological research proposes stimulating challenges starting from the new scenarios arising since the XX century, the environmental imperative imposes new responsibilities, the industrial production requires the rethinking of the concept of “material culture” as well as new information technologies lead to new models of theoretical and conceptual elaboration.
Advantages
Increase production
Easy accessibility
Increase job opportunities
Better communication
Disadvantages
Different learning methods
Social division
Make people lazier
Can be a distraction
Questionnaires
Definition
A questionnaire is a research tool featuring a series of questions used to collect useful information from respondents. These instruments include either written or oral questions and comprise an interview-style format.
A questionnaire is a research instrument that consists of a set of questions or other types of prompts that aims to collect information from a respondent. A research questionnaire is typically a mix of close-ended questions and open-ended questions.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
Researchers use questionnaires principally to gather a wide range of information from a large population.
They are designed so that the participant must read the questions that they are being asked and must then answer them based on the response style.
Checklists
Definition
Checklists are used to encourage or verify that a number of specific lines of inquiry, steps, or actions are being taken, or have been taken, by a researcher. These surface in a variety of forms throughout data collection and analysis and thereafter as part of either writing or review.
A checklist is a simple instrument consisting prepared list of expected items of performance or attributes, which are checked by a researcher for their presence or absence.
Checklists are constructed by breaking performance and the quality of a product, which specifies the presence or absence of an attribute or trait which is then “checked” by the rater/observer.
Characteristics of the method
Observe one respondent at one time.
Clearly specify the characteristics of the behavior to the observer.
Use only carefully prepared checklists to avoid more complex traits.
The observer should be trained on how to observe, and how to record the observed behavior.
Use checklists only when you are interested in calculating particular characteristics.
Main uses of the method
You can use checklists for:
Carrying out activities in which it is important that no step is forgotten and/or tasks must be done in a established order
Carrying out inspections where it must be recorded what the inspected points were
Verify or examine articles.
Examine or analyze the location of defects. Check the causes of the defects.
Verification and analysis of operations.
Collect data for future analysis.
Historical Research
Definition
Historical research is a qualitative technique. Historical research studies the meaning of past events in an attempt to interpret the facts and explain the cause of events, and their effect on the present events. In doing so, researchers rely heavily on primary historical data (direct accounts of events, archival data - official documents, personal records, and records of eyewitnesses) and less frequently on secondary historical data. Historical research enables you to explore and explain the meanings, phases, and characteristics of a phenomenon or process at a particular point of time in the past. We differentiate historical research as a research strategy from the research of history, which refers to research in the discipline of history.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
A precondition for implementing historical research is verifying the ascertained facts, ensuring the credibility of the statement in the text, and ensuring the source reliability.
Recognizing and determining divergences in different sources of information
Recognizing and determining divergences among different researchers
Identifying implicit conjectures
Finding unclear or ambiguous statements or arguments
Recognizing logical inconsistencies or ambiguities in argumentation
Distinguishing between verified and unverified statements
Determining the argument strength
Quasi-experimental Research
Definition
The prefix quasi means “resembling.” Thus, quasi-experimental research is research that resembles experimental research but is not true experimental research. Although the independent variable is manipulated, participants are not randomly assigned to conditions or orders of conditions (Cook & Campbell, 1979). Quasi-experiments are most likely to be conducted in field settings in which random assignment is difficult or impossible. They are often conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment—perhaps a type of psychotherapy or an educational intervention.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
Quasi-experimental methods that involve the creation of a comparison group are most often used when it is not possible to randomize individuals or groups into treatment and control groups. This is always the case for ex-post impact evaluation designs. It may also be necessary to use quasi-experimental designs for ex-ante impact evaluations, for example, where ethical, political, or logistical constraints, like the need for a phased geographical roll-out, rule out randomization.
Experimental Research
Definition
Experimental research is research conducted with a scientific approach using two sets of variables. The first set acts as a constant, which you use to measure the differences of the second set. Quantitative research methods, for example, are experimental. Any research conducted under scientifically acceptable conditions uses experimental methods. The success of experimental studies hinges on researchers confirming the change of a variable is based solely on the manipulation of the constant variable. The research should establish a notable cause and effect.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
Experimental research seeks to determine a relationship between two variables—the dependent variable and the independent variable. After completing an experimental research study, a correlation between a specific aspect of an entity and the variable being studied is either supported or rejected.
Qualitative Research
Definition
Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be used to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research. Qualitative research is the opposite of quantitative research, which involves collecting and analyzing numerical data for statistical analysis. Qualitative research is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, in subjects such as anthropology, sociology, education, health sciences, history, etc.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
Qualitative research is multimethod in focus, involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its subject matter. This means that qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, attempting to make sense of, or interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them. The aim of qualitative research is to understand the social reality of individuals, groups, and cultures as nearly as possible as its participants feel it or live it. Thus, people and groups, are studied in their natural setting.
· Used in discovering what problems exist in a social scene &how persons handle them
· Involves formulation, testing, & redevelopment of propositions until a theory is developed
Document Review
Definition
To review a variety of existing sources (e.g., documents, reports, data files, and other written artifacts) with the intention of collecting independently verifiable data and information.
It is a formalized technique of data collection involving the examination of existing records or documents.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
To gather background information. Reviewing existing documents helps you understand the history, philosophy, and operation of the program you are evaluating and the organization in which it operates.
To determine if the implementation of the program reflects program plans. The review of program documents may reveal a difference between formal statements of program purpose and the actual program implementation. It is important to determine if such a difference exists and to clarify the program intent before moving forward with the evaluation.
When you need the information to help you develop other data collection tools for evaluation. Reviewing existing documents to better understand the program and organization you are evaluating will help you formulate questions for interviews, questionnaires, or focus groups or develop an observation guide.
When you need data to answer what and how many evaluation questions. Reviewing program documents is useful for answering basic evaluation questions related to the number and type of participants, number and type of program personnel, and program costs.
Surveys
Definition
Defined as “the collection of information from a sample of individuals trough their responses to questions” (Check & Schutt, 2012)
The word “survey” is used most often to describe a method of gathering information from a sample of individuals- This sample is usually a fraction of the population being studied. Survey research is a quantitative approach that features the use of self-report measures on carefully selected samples. It is a flexible approach that can be used to study a wide variety of basic and applied research questions.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
To measure the concept in which you are interested as precisely as possible.
To determine the characteristics of a population or a community.
To define existing conditions in a community or region.
To document community opinion.
To compare groups of communities.
Survey Research uses interviews, questionnaires, and sampling polls to get a sense of behavior with concentrated precision.
Researchers can judge behavior and then present the findings in an accurate way.
Action Research
Definition
Action research is a form of investigation designed for use by teachers to attempt to solve problems and improve professional practices in their own classrooms. It involves systematic observations and data collection which can be then used by the practitioner-researcher in reflection, decision-making, and the development of more effective classroom strategies. - Parsons and Brown (2002)
Action research is a natural part of teaching. Teachers are continually observing students, collecting data, and changing practices to improve student learning and the classroom and school environment. Action research provides a framework that guides the energies of teachers toward a better understanding of why, when, and how students become better learners. - A. Christine Miller (2007)
Characteristics of the method
Collaboration between researcher and member of an organization to solve organizational problems.
Action study assumes the social world to be constantly changing, both, researcher and research being one part of that change.
Main uses of the method
To help the researcher test your hypotheses or answer your research questions.
To measure the concept in which you are interested as precisely as possible.
To determine the characteristics of a population or a community.
To define existing conditions in a community or region.
Researchers can judge behavior and then present the findings in an accurate way.
To answer questions that have been raised, solve problems that have been posted or observed, assess needs and set goals, determine whether specific objectives have been met, establish baselines against which future comparisons can be made, analyze trends across time, and generally, to describe what exists, in what amount, and in what context.
Projective Research
Definition
Projective Techniques are indirect and unstructured methods of investigation which have been developed by psychologists and use the projection of respondents for inferring underline motives, urges, or intentions that cannot be secure through direct questioning as the respondent either resist to reveal them or is unable to figure out himself.
Projective techniques are qualitative methods that reach the subconscious of respondents by asking them to interpret information or complete tasks, which circumvent normative responses that create social desirability vias.
Characteristics of the method
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Main uses of the method
Projective Research is used by marketing researchers to reveal important connections to brands, products, and services that originate with unconscious biases, attitudes, motivations, and emotions.
To elaborate a proposal, a plan, a program, or a model as a solution for a practical problem or need of a social group, an institution, or a geographical region in a particular area of knowledge.
Projective research leads to covering needs based on previous knowledge.
To refer to the formulation of politics, programs, technologies, methods, or processes.
It is used in the field to find out how projects could be or how they should be, in terms of the needs, preferences, or decisions of certain human groups.