Descriptive Research Methods (Ch. 12) Case Studies: Detailed analysis of a single (or limited number) of people or events. Case studies are usually interesting because of the unusualness of the case (Three Faces of Eve, Mind of a Mnemonist) and/or the detail and apparent insightfulness of the conclusions drawn by the writer (e.g., Freud’s cases such as ‘Little Hans’). The major problem with case studies is the problem of objectivity. The person who is presenting the case usually has some theoretical orientation. It is acceptable for a theoretical orientation to affect one’s interpretation of events. In a case study the theoretical orientation can also lead to the selection of the facts to include in the case. It is not surprising …show more content…
Some archival research is quasi-experimental. An example of this is Ulrich’s analysis of recovery from surgery in rooms with a view of nature (trees) vs. rooms without such a view. http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/faculty/Burnham/III-03%20Descriptive%20Res.htm What is the Meaning of the Descriptive Method in Research? By Alan Valdez, eHow Contributor Descriptive statistics can be used to summarize the results of descriptive research. Descriptive research is concerned with the description of data and characteristics about a population. The goal is the acquisition of factual, accurate and systematic data that can be used in averages, frequencies and similar statistical calculations. Descriptive studies seldom involve experimentation, as they are more concerned with naturally occurring phenomena than with the observation of controlled situations. The Five Ws Descriptive research is concerned with the description of the existing distribution of variables, as opposed to theory building. Or, in plain language, descriptive studies focus on answering the basic W questions: Who, what, when, where. The fifth W, "why" falls outside of the scope of descriptive research, that by definition must not concern itself with the effect that one variable has on another. Descriptive Methods There are many tools available to the researcher interested in descriptive studies. Case studies can provide a detailed analysis of a single
A case study is an intensive type of research that involves a process in which detailed information is collected
A case study is an in-depth study of one person; usually it takes into account almost every aspect of the client’s life or history, in order to analyze different patterns and behaviors. Case studies are used in multiple ways, sometimes a person will try to generalize the case to a larger population. This option is not used very often since findings have shown to be mostly subjective to the individual person. The other use of case studies is more for counseling purposes where the patient has a specific problem and they take the person’s history in order to solve it or create a treatment plan specifically for this person.
A case study is “a method of analysis and a specific research design for examining a problem” (University of Southern California, 2010). It can be used to analyze a person, place, event, or other subjects in order to help discover mitigating issues, misconceptions, failures, trends, or recommendations (USC, 2010). Case studies will be used to gain a better understanding of situations and topics to help others make better policies, procedures, and decisions (USC, 2010).
The information in the table below refers to the 2008 model year product line of BMW automobiles. Identify the Individuals, variables, and data corresponding to the variables in the table below. Determine whether each variable is qualitative, continuous, or, discrete. Please refer to problems #51 and #53 on page 13 for examples.
Case studies are one of the first types of research to be used in the qualitative methodology and repeating the study several times will lead to the increased reliability of the study (Starman, 2013). This methodology is appropriate because it will allow for data collection results to be generalized based on the theoretical propositions and not the population (Harrison et al. 2017).
A case study is defined as a full, detailed picture of a participant or a small group of other participants. While a correlational study can suggest that both variables have a relationship that exists. An experiment is where the experimenter’s hypothesis is tested to see whether it works. Typically, the experimenter has an independent variable (the cause) where they can manipulate the variable and as well as the dependent variable (the effect).
Researchers or research teams who elect a quantitative study are going to determine the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable within a population (Babbie, E.R., 2010). There are two types of quantitative study designs: descriptive and experimental. A descriptive design typically measures the subject once and establishes the association between the independent and dependent variables (Mujis, D, 2010). An experimental design measures the subject before and after a treatment and establishes causality between the variables (Brians, C.L. et al, 2011).
Descriptive designs -the current state of affairs, Provides a relatively complete picture, does not assess relationships among variables Experimental - impact on experimental manipulations on a dependent variable, Allows drawing of conclusions, Cannot experimentally manipulate many important variables
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.
A case study is a simple tool researchers can use to gather data. Within the textbook, a case study is described as a detailed analysis of a selected individual over a span of time (Newman, 2011, sec. 3.2). Case studies can be quite useful because they are simple, easy to conduct, and require less involvement to achieve a result. Oftentimes, the researcher will observe an individual and record data over a specific amount of time.
Descriptive statistics are very important because if we simply presented our raw data it would be hard to visualize what the data was showing, especially if there was a lot of it. Descriptive statistics therefore enables us to present the data in a more meaningful way, which allows simpler interpretation of the data. For example, if we had the results of 100 pieces of students' coursework, we may be interested in the overall performance of those students. We would also be interested in the distribution or spread of the marks. Descriptive statistics allow us to do this. How to properly describe data through statistics
Methodology and methods- This section includes a clear justification for the chosen methodology and research method. The length and depth of the research depends on the objective of the researcher and the information he or she is trying to convey to the readers.
In case study research, an investigator studies an individual or small group of individuals with an unusual condition or situation. Case studies are typically clinical in scope. The investigator (often a clinical sociologist) sometimes uses self‐report measures to acquire quantifiable data on the subject. A comprehensive case study, including a long‐term follow‐up, can last months or years.
There are three main types of descriptive methods: observational methods, case-study methods and survey methods. This article will briefly describe each of these methods, their advantages, and their drawbacks. This may help you better understand research findings, whether reported in the mainstream media, or when reading a research study on your own.
(iii) Historical and Descriptive Research: Historical research is base on the study of past events which helps us to understand the present and enables us t o predict the future. In historical research both primary and secondary data sources are employed. While Descriptive research is to describe some phenomenon or to documents its characteristics.