research is observational in nature and a type of correlational research, and is often contrasted with
Qualitative and quantitative researches are the two basic research categories which are used in psychology, with both these type of research having advantages and best limitations to their use in researching.
When writing a Research Paper it is important to know different research methods. These methods help to gather and systemize the information and data in order to scientifically prove the validity of the work. Further will be explained ways how to collect the data.
This section is mainly about the study of the method that will be used to examine the research problem. Method acts as a tool or instrument for measuring variable stated in the objectives or the way of the study being conducted. Once researcher have chosen the scientific method as the means of inquiry, researcher must make some decisions about how researcher are going to gather all information (Kenneth & Bruce, 2005). There are two types of research method can be used to collect data either quantitative method or qualitative method.
According to Naoum (2013) quantitative research is “enquiry into a social or human problem based on testing a hypothesis or a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers and analysed with statistical procedures in order to determine whether the hypothesis or the theory hold true”(Naoum 2013,p.39). The approach is objective in nature and not abstract. It is associated with tangible, measurable and numerical data that may be analysed to produce conclusive and generalized answer. It is mostly applied when researchers want to prove or disprove a set of hypothesis and when enquiring realities about the theory, query or attributes (Saunders et al. 2012) by using primary collected data (Fellows 2003). Quantitative research is more structured and well defined that allow the researcher to do extensive planning before the actual research starts. In most cases the actual work tends to be consistent with the predetermined research question and conceptual framework (Bell 2014). This allows for easy forecast of ethical challenge and a plan on how to handle the challenges can be put in place before the actual work begins. It may be carried out by survey, structured interview or observation (Saunders et al. 2012).
The first type of research that is used in the field of sociology is experiment research. Experiment research involves creating an experiment based off an hypothesis to answer an question. The scientific method is used to keep the experiment on track and follow a set of guidelines. This experiment is done in a controlled setting in which the design of the experiment is to answer the hypothesis. Data is gathered based on what the participants do or act during the experiment. The data gathered is quantitative, in which the data gathered is expressed in numbers. There are both benefits and limitations of
In this paper you will learn the process of research. Anyone can research but in order to research correctly, one must know the language and process. As always when researching the reason one is researching to find new information. This is when one will familiarize their self with new research terminology as well as knowledge. When one describes the research process it should contain; the new terminology found, how the terminology and knowledge apply to the research, explain how not knowing the proper terminology can affect the research and as well as why knowing the correct terminology helps. When researching one must
Great post, I agree with you that the four types of research studies are needed in research. These four types of studies help the researchers to be more engage in the purpose of their study. To be honesty, I did not have a clue of what descriptive, explanatory, predictive and prescriptive were or how they play a part in research. My understanding has now increased about research purpose.
Descriptive research, this will not answer questions like how, when, why it has happened. It describes the characteristics of a citizens or circumstance being studied. Instead it tells us the “what” question what are the traits of the citizens or situation being studied? Although this research is highly accurate, it does not gather the causes behind a situation. So if we did a study on say “How many gangs are in Los Angeles?” This will give us an answer of how many of something, like a situation that is being studied. (Babbie, 2008)
Quantitative research deals with numbers and is measurable. Some examples of quantitative data are cost, number of participants and time. This type of research is systematic and uses the more traditional scientific method of data collection and presentation. Qualitative research has data that is nonnumeric in nature and it is difficult to measure. As the root of the same suggests, it gives a quality description of the data being viewed. It can include descriptions or verbal responses. Qualitative data is subjective in the sense that the answer can be different amongst various people.
In order to evaluate research projects, and understand their strengths and limitations, it is necessary to first understand which type of research method is being used. First, type your name in the space indicated above. Then classify each of the following research studies as experimental, correlational, or observational/qualitative. Simply type an E, C, or O in the space below each study to indicate type of study. This assignment will be graded on a 100-point scale. Ten points will be deducted for each wrong categorization of a study. The assignment will be worth 3% of your overall grade in the course.
Researchers will gain insight on numerical, statistical data when studying quantitative studies (Polit & Beck, 2017). Whereas, qualitative research will show human behaviors and experiences (Polit & Beck, 2017).
The student’s guide to research expounds on the practical steps that students should follow when conducting their research and the effective ways of presenting the research findings. Research entails the search for new knowledge, which makes it distinct from the routine application of the known results. The goals of research include addition of human knowledge to the previously known truths or findings. The research process involves extensive interaction with the internal and external environment. The university provides the setting in which, such apprenticeship occurs. When conducting research, the student should begin with finding the purpose to write.
General speaking, quantitative research is thought to be objective, however qualitative research often involves a subjective element. There are differences designs in qualitative research in comparison to quantitative research. Qualitative research involves words, pictures, or objects; Quantitative involves data in the form of numbers and statistics.
It is important to mention at this stage that a research study presented by a researcher may not give complete information about the selected topic. There can be certain limitations of methodology and the new researchers may criticise it for being incomplete. As research is a circular process in which ideas can be added and extracted by researchers anytime, the application of the presented ideas by one researcher are tested and verified.