Methodologies. (1 Viewer)

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I feel this thread is lacking a large list of the basic methodologies so I compiled one:

Primary Research: Conducted and gathered by researcher to gain first hand information or data.

-Secondary Research: Research that has been previously conducted by others that the researcher reads, interprets and analyses.

-Qualitative Methodologies: Present detailed, less measurable and therefore, less quantifiable data e.g. Unstructured interview, participant observation, open ended questionnaire.
Close to original data
Enable detailed data to be obtained, but from small populations only
Difficult to compare with other studies

-Quantitative Methodologies: Present quantified data that can be easily measured e.g. statistical analysis, closed ended questionnaire, structured interview.
Easy to compare
Enables collection of highly specified data from large populations
Are removed from original data

-Action research: Requires all participants to be collaborative researchers. It requires planning for action, doing research, and analysing results of all participants e.g. conducting research into obesity by having a group map their eating habits for a week.
Qualitative
First hand information
May not be fact



-Content analysis: Systematic study of written or visual information.
Quantitative
-Easy to compare with other information, Easy to convert into tables/graphs etc, -Gains useful factual information.
-Need for researcher to establish effective categories for analysis, Occurrence of categories need to be recorded or measured.

- Ethnographic Study: Systematic collection of data derived from direct observations by immersing oneself in the particular society, group or subculture being researched.
Qualitative
-In depth first hand knowledge, Access to people’s lives, insightful reflections from actual observations.
-Longer term study involves time, Observers may influence behaviour by presence, Can be too familiar to maintain objectivity, Must be ethical i.e. permission and privacy.



-Focus Group: In depth discussions between small group of a specific issue or topic.
Qualitative
-Group format encourages openness and debate, Group cohesion, Time efficient.
-Needs good leader to guide discussions, Gathers opinions rather than fact can be subjective, Can get out of control, Needs good questions.


-Interview: Researcher and interviewee on a one on one basis.
Structured=Quantitative
-Detailed info, Allows responsiveness between researcher and interviewee
-Time consuming, Needs preparation and extensive research, Recording info eg transcribe interview, Need to be an active listener.
Unstructured=Qualitative

-Observation: A passive process which allows a researcher to record the way people act, live, learn, play and work systematically.
Quantitative
-Non intrusive, Results can be easily converted into tables and graphs.
-Observers may influence behaviour by presence, Need to be organised and systematic in data collection.

-Participant observation: Actually being involved in the behaviour one is observing.
Qualitative
-In depth first hand knowledge of group being studied, Access to people’s lives, Insightful reflections from actual observations.
-Must not dominate during observation, Can be too familiar to maintain objectivity, Must be ethical i.e. permission and privacy.

-Personal Reflection: Researchers reflections and evaluations of personal experience, values and opinions.
Qualitative
-Researcher’s honesty, Relevant to topic.
-Personal bias or prejudice, May be too subjective.

-Questionnaire: Collection of questions printed and distributed to sample of respondents.
Closed ended= Quantitative
-Quick and easy, Large sample of responses, Easy to convert data into tables and graphs etc
Open ended= Qualitative
-Low response rate, Questions must be well understood, Limited interaction.
 

etyro

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Thanks for this, great info and helps with sorting out Quantitative/Qualitative data!
 

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