14 Types of Research Methods YouTube Lecture Handouts

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Framework

Basic Versus Applied

• Fundamental or Basic or Pure – New knowledge – why, what & how – advancement of theory – single discipline – in technical language

• Applied – solve specific problem – solve immediate problem for betterment – in common language

Fixed Versus Flexible

• Fixed Research – design is fixed, theory driven, measured quantitatively

• Flexible Research – more freedom for data collection, qualitative

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

• Quantitative – Collection & analysis of data – from questionnaire, survey (assume world to be stable so can be measured) – deductive (logic)

• Qualitative – Non-numeric – like observation, interview (since perspective of people differs) – narrative description and field focused – inductive (empirical)

Experimental vs. Non-Experimental

• Experimental - Cause effect relationship, control gp & experimental gp (can include pilot study), manipulate IV, effect of changing IV on DV, starts with hypothesis, control of extraneous variable is important, Control experiment – physical, selective, statistical

• Non-experimental – Uses theories & reasoning, has wide scope

• Exploratory

• Descriptive

• Historical

Exploratory vs. Confirmatory Research

• Exploratory – explore possibility of doing research where due to paucity of knowledge, hypothesis testing is difficult (e.g., vendor may explore possible sales areas) – has higher level of uncertainty & ignorance of subject, easier to make new discoveries – less stringent – case study, ethnography, projective techniques

• Exploratory research generate a posteriori hypotheses by examining a data-set and looking for potential relations between variables.

• Confirmatory research tests a priori hypotheses - outcome predictions that are made before the measurement phase begins. Are usually derived from a theory or the results of previous studies.

Explanatory or Casual Research

• Explains cause effect relationship

• Idea is to understand does a change in X cause a change in Y?

• It can employ statistical method or experimental method

• It is a conclusive research – determine relation between causal variable and effect predicted

Descriptive Research

• Only why and what – not deals with “how” (what are benefits of multimedia textbooks as compared to print textbooks)

• More structured than exploratory

• Static – single phenomena – public opinion

• Dynamic - cross sectional or longitudinal

• Includes

• Survey studies – assess characteristics of whole population

• Interrelationship studies – relationship among data (case studies, casual comparative, correlational)

• Developmental studies – changes as function of time (growth, trend, model development)

Historical Research

• Examine past events

• Qualitative

• Primary source – relic, remain, artifacts

• Secondary source – textbook, newspaper, periodicals

• Criticism – external (genuineness of source) and internal (based on accuracy and competence of writer)

Ex-Post Facto or Casual - Comparative Research

• Quasi-experimental – participants are not randomly assigned – 2 gp. with different IV and compare them on DV

• IV (cause) prior to study affects DV (effect)

• Studies what researcher cannot alter (can’t make a person overweight for studying its effect on behavior)

• Tsunami hit area

Correlational Research

• Degree of relationship b/w variables

• It is quantitative

• Range -1 to 0 to +1

Evaluation Research

• Determines impact of social intervention (impact of program on certain social problem)

• Strategies

• Scientific-experimental model – accuracy and objectivity

• Management oriented - PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique), and CPM (Critical Path Method)

• Qualitative Anthropological model – importance of observation

• Participant-oriented – client-centered and stakeholder approach

Formative vs. Summative Evaluation

• Formative – improve object being evaluated

  • Need assessment – who needs and how great the need is

  • Evaluative assessment – evaluation is feasible

  • Structured conceptualization

  • Implementation - transparency

  • Process

• Summative Evaluation – examine effect or outcome

  • Outcome

  • Impact – broader than outcome (includes intended and unintended effects)

  • Cost-effectiveness

  • Secondary analysis – reexamine data to address new questions

  • Meta-analysis – integrate outcome from multiple studies

Diagnostic Research

• Find the cause

• Emergence of problem -> diagnosis and solution

Prognostic Research

• Find relation b/w predictor and outcome

• Find course of action

• Early detection

Action Research

• Solve immediate problem, carried by actors (main people)

• Led by team – participatory or practical

• Might include observation, interview, field note, survey or questionnaire

• Individual – one person

• Collaborative – 2 or more

• School-wide – entire system

Types of Research Problems Addressed

• Exploratory questions -What is the case? , What are the key factors?

• Descriptive questions - How many? What is the incidence of x? Are x and y related?

• Causal questions - Why? What are the causes of y?

• Evaluative questions - What was the outcome of x? Has P been successful?

• Predictive questions - What will the effect of x be on y?

• Historical questions - What led to y happening? What were the events that led up to y? What caused y?

-Manishika