quantitative and qualitative research methods
research methods - introduction
As mentioned under research methodologies, it is important to recognize that there is a difference between research methodology and research method. Whereas research methodology implies a broader framework of how a research is conducted to solve a problem, research method refers to specific techniques/method/procedures of data collection, analysis and reporting and evaluation. Research methods are therefore defined as specific techniques or methods a researcher uses in performing a research operation. In some cases, research methods and research techniques have also to be distinguished. Research techniques may refer to the instruments or behaviors used in performing a research process such as making observations, data recording, data processing or data representation; research methods may refer to the instruments or behaviors used in constructing a research technique (Kothari, 2004). The table below gives a better idea to better understand the differences between research methods and research techniques during data collection:
Though narrow in scope than research methodologies, research methods are more general and can be performed in various ways, even without a specific purpose. Therefore, they must be used with a specific understanding to systematically solve a research problem. This is accomplished by adopting an appropriate methodology; a researcher needs to know which and how a chosen methodology will solve a study problem by aligning research methods with that methodology.
Research methods can be grouped into:
In this section I will briefly outline some research methods that are linked with quantitative research and qualitative research approaches pertaining to: These will be supplemented by approaches of how they link to each methodology with research objectives, purpose/aim and significance and how there is a need to review literature during each method for research validity.
Research methods can be grouped into:
- Data Collections Methods/Tools – methods that involves data collection, usually when available data cannot or is insufficient to solve a research problem.
- Analytical Research Methods/Tools – methods that involves:
- techniques for data analysis and interpretation to establish relationships between the data available and the unknown
- techniques for evaluating the results and reporting
In this section I will briefly outline some research methods that are linked with quantitative research and qualitative research approaches pertaining to: These will be supplemented by approaches of how they link to each methodology with research objectives, purpose/aim and significance and how there is a need to review literature during each method for research validity.