Research Methods and Methodology

1. Research Method

Research methods refer to the specific techniques or procedures used to collect and analyze data to achieve a given objective during a research study.

These are the tools or procedures employed by researchers to answer their research questions, test hypotheses, or explore a specific problem.

Types of Research Methods:

1. Qualitative Research Methods:
• Common qualitative methods include:
• Interviews (structured, semi-structured, or unstructured)
• Focus Groups: Discussions with a small group of people to gather opinions or insights.
• Case Studies: In-depth investigations of a single case or a few cases.
• Ethnography: Immersive observation of a particular community or culture.
• Content Analysis: Analyzing text, media, or other content for patterns or themes.
2. Quantitative Research Methods:
• Common quantitative methods include:
• Surveys: Questionnaires with closed-ended questions to collect data from large samples.
• Experiments: Controlled studies that manipulate variables to observe effects.
• Observations: Structured data collection where behaviors or phenomena are counted or measured.
• Longitudinal Studies: Studies that follow the same subjects over a period of time to observe changes.
3. Mixed Methods:
• Example: A researcher might use qualitative interviews to explore participants' experiences and then use quantitative surveys to measure the frequency or prevalence of those experiences across a larger sample.