Types of Research Methods - Essay Example

Introduction Srivastava (2011) asserts that sampling is widely the accepted norm in facilitating the various research methods. This is because the population cannot serve as a proper focus for most research techniques. This is relevant in reference to high cost, size of the entire population, probability of errors, and the destructive nature of testing. This calls for employment of research methodology that best suits a given sample under study. The factors that govern the methodology employed include; subtype of research necessary, subject selection for the research study, decision on how to sample, possibility of a pilot study to ensure validity of the process through various research methods. Singh (2007) agrees that central to literature, research methodology is the type of research to be undertaken. There are two key types of research. They are qualitative research and quantitative research. Research methodology is dependent on these two factors. Qualitative research seeks to investigate intangible aspects of literature; especially about emotions, meanings and descriptions. The intangibles under investigation are values, beliefs or ideas. Quantitative research seeks to verify existing explanations, regarding etiological aspects of a story, through measurement of variables. Types of Research Methods When reporting a researcher applies a number of research methods that are specific to certain techniques of research. The types of research methods applicable include observation, survey, contact method and experimental method. Each of these methods has strengths and limitations. In essence, to indulge in accurate data collection, one needs to be aware of the said aspects of the data collection methods to make the necessary adjustments to the data that result whenever warranted (Chilisa, 2012). Observation Method This refers to the research method that employs the use of researcher’s eyes, watching the study area to gather information. Data collected by observation is primary data. The data collected is complete since the researcher knows what he is looking for when he goes to the field to observe. The research techniques influence the subtypes of the observation method that will be applicable. The first subtype is the structured observation. This is the main subtype employed for descriptive purposes of observation. Unstructured observation, on the other hand, is employed with a view of formulating explanations to a research question and validating it given hypothesis or otherwise. Participant and non-participant subtypes also often find use as the preferred observation methods (Bhattacharya, 2006). The final observation method subtype is the disguised observation, which entails involvement of an observer in a given activity with the sole goal of making observations on the operations. A researcher has to be keen with his/her eye to ensure success of the observation method. This because observation method enables the researcher to see even the information which individuals would be either unwilling or unable to give (Taylor et al, 2006). However, observation method has a number of shortcomings, which include the inability to observe feelings and emotions of individuals or groups. Further, the method is expensive to facilitate; especially for those who intend to publish their findings. Survey Method Survey is the most suitable approach for gathering information for descriptive purposes. It is more indulging to the persons undertaking the survey and the data compiled is accurate. Survey can either be structured survey, which employs a definite list of questions, often formal and the questions asked to all the respondents are similar. The second type is unstructured surveys, the surveyor probe the respondents but using their answers to guide them in the process (Goddard, 2007). Survey is advantageous in two ways. One is able to collect many different kinds of data or information. Compared to other types of research methods it is relatively cheaper. Limitations include reluctance of some respondents to answer questions from a stranger. In case of a busy person, it is difficult to get respondents. Others may choose to give pleasant answers that hurt objectivity. Finally, some may have difficulty in answering because they have no interest in why they undertake certain activities (Marlow, 2011). Contact Methods Khan (2008) explains that this involves use of contact methods for the collection of data; through the mail questionnaires and telephone interviews. Mail questionnaires are popular since it allows one to collect adequate information at a low cost for each respondent. It is also convenient for the busy respondents since they can do so at their free time. Limitations to mail questionnaires are lack of flexibility, excessive time consumption, and low response rate. Telephone interviews are quick, more flexible, allow the interviewer to guide or control the respondents understanding of the questions and has a high response rate compared to mail questionnaires. Limitations of telephone interviews include high cost per respondent, respondents may choose not to answer personal questions and respondent’s answers may be affected by the interviewers’ manner of speaking (Kothari, 1985). Conclusion Literature need to be comprehensive and conclusive. Understanding of research methodology allows one to comprehend the integral part of research, the research statistics. A researcher is able to gain the knowledge of understanding results arrived at by another researcher. The main strategy research method that the writer will use and focus on is the experimental method, which will use a focus group as the controlled variables. Experimental Method is the most trusted method for gathering data for a given research study. Experimental method is an empirical method of research that focuses on testing an existing theory or a hypothesis so that it supports or it disapprove. Experimental method allows a researcher to demonstrate through actual happenings in order to show the outcome of an occurrence when particular factors affecting that occurrence are manipulated. Kotzab (2005) elaborates that it involves databased research that is aimed at coming up with information or conclusions that are easily validated through observation or experiment. This method is the most appropriate whenever proof is needed to ascertained with regard to one of variables influencing another set of variables in different ways; most of which is alleged in a publication. In essence, it draws validity from the effects of replacing one variable with another to justify a given statements. Incorporation of a focus group with the experimental method is to ensure that the researcher has a manageable sample size for data collection. The research will reduce cost, and time by using a focus group rather than conducting the experiment on the entire variables that affect the subject under research. Further, manipulation of the variable to draw definite conclusions is a fundamental part of the process. The aim of this research is to get facts first hand, at the source, while also actively getting involved in factor variation and research control. Focus group interviewing is currently gaining popularity since it focuses on understanding people’s feelings and thoughts (Kumar, 2011). The focus group will be a sample of the variables that the researcher will choose as his study area. The focus group may be a village, a school, a forest, specific model of automobile or companies in a given industry. The researcher develops a working hypothesis, which is an intelligent guess on the expected outcome or result (Dawson, 2002). The researcher will use the study area to gather the information he requires by observing, interacting, recording and changing the aspects of the study area so that he is able to see the changes that occur. If the focus group chosen as the sample size relates with people the researcher will need to interview them, observe them and have them fill questionnaire. Further, the researcher needs to set up appropriate experimental designs that are satisfactory in efficient manipulation of the variable to aid in the achievement of the desired information. The information or data collected via empirical research is currently valued as the strongest support for any given hypothesis. The researcher will then work to gather sufficient facts to either prove or disapprove the initial hypothesis (Rao, 2008). The experiment method as the choice of strategy for research method for the researcher has limitations. Experiment method can be quite expensive considering the materials needed, travelling to make observations and the period required so that the researcher is able to collect adequate data for experiment. The researcher will have a tiresome job of conducting the data collection procedure. A researcher cannot use experiment method as the choice of research method in instances where the experiment can turn disastrous. Example of military weapons the authority in question will not allow the researcher to conduct an experiment since the result can result to disaster. The sample size used to conduct the experiment may not be a sufficient representation of the entire population. Experiment method is mostly uses a manageable sample due to the cost involved and the work associated with the experiments. Even though the experiment method is considered free from inconsistencies and biasness, the method is prone to human errors. The researcher might miss some details, or use a wrong approach at some point, or the researcher may apply biasness where he is required to make a choice. Therefore, the information he gathers from the experiment may not be the interviewer may be accurate enough as perceive by most people. Sampling is the procedure of setting manageable portion of population variables. Researchers have to choose a manageable sample that they will work, which should be a sufficient representation of the entire population. The sample size should be should be large enough so that data the researcher generates will near the data that would have been generated from the population since no sample can guarantee representation of the traits of the entire population. The each variable in the population should have equal chance of being a sample during sampling procedure. A sample size of the variables should be more than 10% of the entire population. The ethical considerations are the guiding principle that a researcher should adhere to when doing his research. The ethical considerations in research that apply to a researcher using the experiment research method for his research include the following ethics. The researcher should seek permission from the necessary authority before starting his research study. The researcher should observe objectivity and subjectivity that is the researcher should let his personal biasness to override the facts of the research study he conducting. The researcher should also consider all opinions and idea presented by the information in choosing his final judgment. In case, the researcher is conducting a research in an institution of whatever kind, the information he gathers should be handled with the highest level of privacy. The researcher should not give out any information considered vital to any third party. A researcher should inform the people that he intends to be observing them at a given time. This is in the case where the method used for gathering data is through observation especially when the researcher is observing people doing their normal work. When reporting the results the researcher should report what he concluded from the experiment but not what he is influenced to say by another person, in other words he should independence. 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