The Contrast of Two Psychological Approaches - Essay Example

Introductory Paper-Communication Research Methods

Scholars have argued over what constitutes communication. They have differed on the definition of communication in terms of broadness, intent, and effectiveness (Buzzanell & Houston, J2018). In other words, the contention has revolved around the question of how many conducts and actions ought or ought not to constitute a communication, whether the intent to communicate can also be included in the definition, and whether successful communication or a mere attempt can be considered to be communication. Never the less, communication is defined by discussing five essential parts: the source of information, the recipient, context, the channel, and the news that is being communicated. Overall, communication research evaluates the five critical components by asking and seeking answers to each question. As researchers endeavor to answer questions on communication research methods, they utilize a technique similar to what other researchers use. According to Rains, Levine, and Weber (2018), the approach to communication research moves in five phases: conceptualization, planning and designing, execution of the method, analysis, interpretation, and reconceptualization.

During the conceptualization phase, the researchers establish a field of attraction and decide if their questions and assumptions qualify being investigated (Rains et al., 2018). The planning and designing phase entails the researchers selecting their approaches of examination, and deciding on variables will be defined and measured. The implementation of a research method involves collecting the required data through surveys, interviews, or questionnaires. After data has been collected, the researcher analyzes and interprets it and changes it into helpful information. The analysis and interpretation of the data provide more information and meaning concerning the communication event under study. Finally, at the reconceptualization phase, the researcher tries to establish the relevance of the research findings to the broader research field.

Researchers use three different research methods in communication, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods (Maier et al., 2018). Some scholars approach communication research from a method-driven viewpoint that differentiates qualitative and quantitative approaches. Other scholars come to this field from a theoretical perspective that entails discussing specific methods used in the study by referring to each particular principle. Useful communication research entails employing an open approach to the methodology, whether the qualitative or quantitative method is the most appropriate methodology to answer the research question (Hammarberg, Kirkman & de Lacey, 2016). The research methodology chosen must acknowledge that a mixture of various approaches can give more useful insights into the phenomena under investigation than when using one method only. In communication research, qualitative and quantitative methodologies complement each other (Kavoura & Bitsani, E2014). However, these two approaches differ at the conceptually chosen plan of action to a specific observed realm.

Barnham (2015) noted that quantitative research methodology entails using numbers, or measurable attributes, or closed-ended questions. The quantitative method involves conducting experiments using instruments to gather data. Qualitative approaches seek to answer research questions by utilizing numbers and measurable data items (Rutberg & Bouikidis, 2018). Within the broader field of quantitative research, several different approaches are used. These methodologies include tests, studies, content examination, and meta-analysis (Rains et al., 2018). Tests are an observational form of research that permits the investigator to study the field of communication in a managed setup. Through trials, researchers develop two arrangements to examine a presupposition or solve a particular research problem. Researchers use surveys or studies to gather data from a large population sample through the use of instruments that are valid and reliable. Surveys help researchers collect data from the respondent's mind, providing essential information about the intended research findings in communication. According to Rutberg and Bouikidis (2018), the content examination is a methodology in quantitative research. It is used to enumerate the number of events of a phenomenon within a specific media source, such as newspapers, advertisements, films, and books. This methodology is used to determine the number of events of a given phenomenon that occur in comparison to the real population in the community. Rains et al., (2018) opined that meta-analysis is an approach which entails analyzing data from quantitative research to enhance a communication occurrence.

Quantitative research method in communication dwells on aspects of layout, quantification, and examining because its analytical approach focuses on impartiality and comprehensive organization before data gathering and evaluation (Barnham, 2015). Researchers who use quantitative research method in communication depend on the administrative school of thought. These researchers make use of redeveloped reasoning and move on a straight study route. Quantitative research method utilizes data items and assumptions, and focuses on examining data items correctly, and experimenting presuppositions that are related to the general clarifications (Choy, 2014). Quantitative research method is analytical that follows specific phases that come before data gathering. This approach narrows the subject of the study to a more focused question, changes hypothetical ideas into real data items, and develops more assumptions to experiment the hypothesis (Rutberg & Bouikidis, 2018). In quantitative research, measurements are treated as a unique phase in the study process that occurs before data gathering.

Quantitative research method adopts an analytical approach by beginning with ideas then creating observable measures that correctly record it in a numerical form (Barnham, 2015). Quantitative research approach starts with a theoretical concept, which then followed by a quantification process, and finalize with an observable data that represents the concepts. Issues of reliability and validity are critical in quantitative research approaches. Reliability in quantitative research refers to the consistence of the numerical outcomes produced by a measuring instrument (Maier et al., 2018). On the other hand, validity seeks to establish the extent to which the theoretical and operational definitions are compatible with the measurement. Quantitative research methodologies help researchers to determine similarities or differences among communicative occurrences or groups of people. Moreover, quantitative research method demonstrates patterns of human communication

Qualitative research approach is used to explore the subjects’ point of views and comprehension in relation to communication (Mayer, 2015). This methodology uses open-ended questions, entails data collection through observation, and seeks to explore human experiences and perceptions. The most common research approaches used in this research approach include interviews, focus groups, and observation of the participants (Hammarberg, Kirkman & de Lacey, 2016). Interviews involve a researcher holding a discussion with interviewees based on the questions developed by the researcher. The researcher spends time holding conversations with the participants about a phenomenon under investigation and develops themes across the different responses given by the participants. Using focus groups as a research methodology in qualitative research entails gathering a group of people who are knowledgeable on the communication phenomenon under study. Focus Groups permit participants to draw from each other’s experience hence provide helpful insights than interviews. According to Kavoura and Bitsani (2014), qualitative research method employs an inductive strategy that focuses on the development of knowledge, which is generalized from the data gathered. Researchers in communication who employ the qualitative research methodology depend on a critical model, base their research on case studies and context, and emphasize the need to evaluate cases that occur naturally in the social spheres of life. This approach seeks to present valid findings that are considerate of particular socio-historical contexts. The qualitative research approach hardly utilizes any systemized causes of action.

In qualitative research, the researchers embrace an introductory approach where they create ideas as components of the evaluation. Researchers using qualitative research methodology begin with observable data, which is then followed by abstract concepts, and finally interpolate the concepts and the data and infer with a blend of the two (Hammarberg et al., 2016). In qualitative research, researchers utilize some pre-existing concepts that help them collect new data after which they combine the pre-existing concepts and the new concepts that are developed from the data. During data collection and analysis, qualitative researchers create new concepts, find meanings to various theories, and take into account the link between them. The issues of reliability and validity are critical to qualitative research methods. Qualitative researchers seek to be consistent when making observations over a period (Noble & Smith, 2015). Similarly, qualitative method of research in communication strives to gather and interpret data that gives forth to authentic findings (Darawsheh & Stanley, 2014). Qualitative research methods assist communication researchers to comprehend people’s lived experiences in terms of the ways through which they communicate.

Mixed method research is a methodology to studying a communication phenomenon that utilizes the other two approaches, incorporates the two types of data, and uses unique layouts that may entail theoretical presuppositions and conceptual structures (Shannon-Baker, 2016). The mixed method of research is assumed to provide a better comprehension of the research question than when one method is used. In mixed method research approach, qualitative and quantitative methods complement each other during the research process. Both methods are employed at different phases of the research process hence they facilitate each other. Employing several approaches to study one phenomenon makes the results of the findings more reliable and valid. Lastly complementarity is achieved when a mixture of methods is utilized to evaluate different parameters of the question under study.

Research approaches complement each other when the outcomes from different methodologies disclose different aspects of the phenomenon under investigation. Mixed method of research entails combining the other two approaches in a study to examine the same communication occurrence (Shannon-Baker, 2016). Mixed methods of research approach in communication provide a broader picture of a communication phenomenon by collecting data in several ways that result in more accurate, reliable, and valid findings. The mixed method of research approach is a convergent methodology, provides sequential explanations and explorations, and is multiphase.

Barnham (2015) noted that quantitative research methodology entails using numbers, or measurable attributes, or closed-ended questions. The quantitative method involves conducting experiments using instruments to gather data. Qualitative approaches seek to answer research questions by utilizing numbers and measurable data items (Rutberg & Bouikidis, 2018). Within the broader field of quantitative research, several different approaches are used. These methodologies include tests, studies, content examination, and meta-analysis (Rains et al., 2018). Tests are an observational form of research that permits the investigator to study the field of communication in a managed setup. Through trials, researchers develop two arrangements to examine a presupposition or solve a particular research problem. Researchers use surveys or studies to gather data from a large population sample through the use of instruments that are valid and reliable. Surveys help researchers collect data from the respondent's mind, providing essential information about the intended research findings in communication. According to Rutberg and Bouikidis (2018), the content examination is a methodology in quantitative research. It is used to enumerate the number of events of a phenomenon within a specific media source, such as newspapers, advertisements, films, and books. This methodology is used to determine the number of events of a given phenomenon that occur in comparison to the real population in the community. Rains et al., (2018) opined that meta-analysis is an approach which entails analyzing data from quantitative research to enhance a communication occurrence.

Quantitative research method in communication dwells on aspects of layout, quantification, and examining because its analytical approach focuses on impartiality and comprehensive organization before data gathering and evaluation (Barnham, 2015). Researchers who use quantitative research method in communication depend on the administrative school of thought. These researchers make use of redeveloped reasoning and move on a straight study route. Quantitative research method utilizes data items and assumptions, and focuses on examining data items correctly, and experimenting presuppositions that are related to the general clarifications (Choy, 2014). Quantitative research method is analytical that follows specific phases that come before data gathering. This approach narrows the subject of the study to a more focused question, changes hypothetical ideas into real data items, and develops more assumptions to experiment the hypothesis (Rutberg & Bouikidis, 2018). In quantitative research, measurements are treated as a unique phase in the study process that occurs before data gathering.

Quantitative research method adopts an analytical approach by beginning with ideas then creating observable measures that correctly record it in a numerical form (Barnham, 2015). Quantitative research approach starts with a theoretical concept, which then followed by a quantification process, and finalize with an observable data that represents the concepts. Issues of reliability and validity are critical in quantitative research approaches. Reliability in quantitative research refers to the consistence of the numerical outcomes produced by a measuring instrument (Maier et al., 2018). On the other hand, validity seeks to establish the extent to which the theoretical and operational definitions are compatible with the measurement. Quantitative research methodologies help researchers to determine similarities or differences among communicative occurrences or groups of people. Read More