Contrasting Research Methods - Essay Example

Compare and Contrast Research Methods Compare and Contrast Research Methods Introduction Even though research methods share some aspects, they vary significantly in terms of objectivity, their application and type. Therefore, this essay compares and contrasts the Observation Method with the following research methods:  qualitative methods - informal and in-depth interviews, qualitative methods - focus groups, questionnaire-based surveys, case studies, and panel surveys. Observation method The observation method is both qualitative and quantitative. Observation is important because it helps to identity research aspects and has an adverse impact on the group performance (Poynter, 2010). Through observation, the researcher is able to identify particular aspects of the research (Poynter, 2010). Also, through observation, researchers learn more information about research aspects, thus being able to determine attitudes and behaviors. Both observation and in-depth interview methods are important because they will increase the objectivity of the study (Poynter, 2010). Informal and In-depth Interviews Informal and in-depth methods are largely qualitative. Researchers use in-depth interviews in collecting data, because it is a highly interactive, multivariate and objective method of conducting study, which makes it different from observation method (Wilson, 2010). Using interview, the interviewer seeks more explanation from the interviewees as opposed to observation, where the researcher simply looks at the objects of study (Wilson, 2010). Under this methodology of in-depth interview, the participants will be drawn from four departments within the research population (Wilson, 2010). Since there will be many prospective participants from each department, out of the available participants, the researcher will select a given sample for the study. This is similar to observation because in the latter, the researcher can chose from the available research items to carry out the study (Wilson, 2010). In addition, the selection of participants in informal and in-depth interview is done using random sampling, which is representative and non-discriminative, a situation which makes the methods resemble observation. Under informal and in-depth interviews, the different categories under which the participants will be divided would be based on the management levels, where as in observation, the researcher carries the study alone (Wilson, 2010). Interviews will also increase the participation between the researcher and respondents. Indeed, using interview will increase the interaction and the researcher would get more relevant information about the topic, a situation that is similar to observation method (Brace, 2008). Using in-depth interview method in carrying out the study, the researcher will already had set questions for the interview, thus the process is semi-structured. However, using observation method, the questions do not have a particular structure, thus reducing the level of objectivity of the method. Focus Groups The use of focus groups is largely qualitative. It involves a number of aspects, including stress-related or stress-induced, social, identity-based, psychological, cultural, and perhaps technological separation among the people or various groups. The group communication and subsequent performance is affected by the physical distance separating them. Therefore, the longer distance leads to greater effect on the group’s performance. Different groups with varying levels of pressure cannot be together, thus separated depending on the feeling of each group. Comparatively, the less stressed group could effectively manage vigilance activities in the region. Social distance also has a lot of impacts on the type of research and subsequent group performance. Indeed, it is easier for the people who fall within the same social status to work in harmony and achieve significant success. Notably, the people who identify with the group’s activities are able to put more effort in improving the programs and performance, thus making research more objective. This is because; they would also like to identify with the good results of the research. Psychological distance also separate people in the group, thus affecting their performance (Bergh & Ketchen, 2009). Mostly, the people with different thoughts might not work in unity to achieve the objectives. In reality, psychological differences depend on the level of education for the members, exposure and social class of the group members. Therefore, the status of mind has profound effect on the group’s performance. Cultural distance is the separation of people based on ethnic affiliations. Here, different groups of people owe legend to certain cultural practices. The cultural attributes have significant effect on the group performance. Often retrogressive cultures might not permit success of the group’s initiative. In addition, cultural conflicts interfere with the group spirit especially when the members are drawn from difference ethnicities, a situation that affects the research outcome (Bergh & Ketchen, 2009). Technological distance is the separation of people based on the use of the latest and efficient machines for carrying out duties. Apparently, the group that uses the latest technology is able to carry out its operations with greater efficiency, as opposed to the one that uses manual operations. The group that does not embrace technology in its research cannot compete with the others, which have mechanized their operations, in terms of performance (McNabb, 2010). Questionnaire-Based Surveys It is both qualitative and quantitative. The questionnaire based surveys use questions, which is the different scenario compared to observation (Carey, 2010). In this case, the survey questions that the questionnaire employs are basically closed ended question and therefore have the following strengths: they provide the interviewees with an easier way of responding or indicating the answers (Carey, 2010). Using questionnaire based surveys, the respondents do not have to think or have prior knowledge to articulate their response, whereas in observation, there are no respondents. In questionnaire based surveys, the questions allow the respondents to depend less on memory in answering the various questions, while observation depends on the ability of the researcher to detect the features of the object under the study (Carey, 2010). The questionnaire also permits the interviewees to specify the different answer categories that are most suitable for their purposes, where as in observation; the outcome depends on the judgment of the researcher (Carey, 2010). There is high possibility of collecting more information from large population of respondents using questionnaire based surveys than in observation. In addition, the various responses can be classified, thus enhancing a straight forward analysis (Carey, 2010). The questionnaires use more closed ended questions, thus have got certain disadvantages: for instance, the respondent are not given enough opportunity to provide different responses apart from those suggested, a scenario that lacks in observation. The questionnaire based survey method may sometimes suggest some answers that the interviewee may have not considered, where as in observation, the researcher does not have a clue of the study (Carey, 2010). Some of the important issues to the respondent may not be revealed or left out when using questionnaire based surveys method, while in observation, the researcher will have time to check all aspects of the study objects. Therefore, certain findings not anticipated in the survey proposal may never be found nor established using the questionnaire based surveys method (Carey, 2010). The questionnaires also do not give the respondents to explain issues in the questions that might not be clear. This could be similar to observation, where the researcher is conducting the study alone because he/she will not be able to ask questions on unclear issues. Questionnaire based surveys methods are structured techniques that are applied in primary data collection in marketing surveys and other forms of surveys and researches, while observation is not structured. In questionnaire based surveys method, it entails series of verbal or written questions for which the interviewees provides the answers, whereas observation method does not contain questions (Dorney & Taguchi, 2010). Developing a questionnaire involves certain steps: determination of the required information; definition of the target respondents; determination of the question content and selection of the method of reaching the respondents; appropriate question wording; questionnaire sequencing ; determination of the physical appearance of the questionnaire; questionnaire piloting; and development of the final questionnaire (McNabb, 2010). This is lacking in observation method. The questionnaire method will contain questions that elicit answers directly related to the topic under study. The questionnaires will contain both structured and semi-structured questions (Dorney & Taguchi, 2010). The questionnaire methods are easy to administer compared to observation. Moreover, they are also less expensive. Additionally, questionnaire based survey methods allow confidentiality, an important factor in the success of any research, a situation similar to observation method that has confidentiality. Case Studies Case studies are largely qualitative, and they involve data from various features to be investigated (Bergh & Ketchen, 2009). This study method is largely descriptive whereas observation is not. Panel Surveys Panel surveys are largely qualitative, and some of the prospective panel members might decline to complete the survey forms although all the members of each department will be allowed to participate. In observation method, the researcher may carry out the study individually. Panel survey research will use a survey approach to obtain data for analysis. The survey will be administered to a predetermined number of participants (panel) drawn from the target population. In observation method, there are no participants other than the researcher(s). A survey panel uses various research methods and instruments such as questionnaires and interviews, which have perennially proved useful in the research, especially the data collection process. This is lacking in observation method. Panel survey method will make sure that the team of researchers gather data and information from the participants concerning the benchmark implementation process. It is important to note that this method is a targeted research involving experts. A survey will come in handy in collecting and analyzing information. The survey will apply both to individuals and business entities involved in the research. In panel surveys, both questionnaires and interviews will be used to collect data. In this method, participants (panellists) will fill in questionnaires by answering the structured questions. Also, they will answer questions during one on one interview with research assistants (Garner, Wagner, & Kawulich, 2009). In this case, panel surveys method ensures the researchers and their assistants will use both the structured and semi-structured questions as interview guides. In both cases, research assistants will then compile the data and present it for analysis. This method helps in getting more reliable data compared to observation method, since the panellist will be drawn from experts (Brace, 2008). Panel surveys methods are cost-effective research methods that also help in delivering high-quality data and information in a study. This is similar to observation method (Marsden & Wright, 2010). Table Showing Comparison of Research Methods Observation Informal and In-depth Interviews Focus Groups Questionnaire-Based Surveys Case Studies Panel Surveys It is both qualitative and quantitative. Largely qualitative. Largely qualitative. Both qualitative and quantitative Largely qualitative. Largely qualitative. Has an adverse impact on group performance. It’s Specific. It’s highly interactive. More exhaustive. It’s diverse and involves many aspects. Uses advanced technology. It’s more specific. Not exhaustive. It’s largely descriptive. Combines various research methods and instruments hence very accurate. Conclusion The observation method is both qualitative and quantitative, and has diverse impacts on group performance. Informal and in-depth interviews are also qualitative, and researchers use them in collecting data because they are highly interactive. Focus group is another method which is also largely qualitative, and it involves many aspects. On the other hand, questionnaire-based surveys are both qualitative and quantitative. Case studies are also largely qualitative, and they are largely descriptive. Lastly, like most of the methods, panel surveys are largely qualitative. References Bergh, D., & Ketchen, D. (2009). Research Methodology in Strategy and Management: Volume 5. London: Sage Publications. Brace, I. (2008). Questionnaire design: how to plan structure and write survey material for effective market research. London: Kogan Page Publishers. Carey, V. (2010). Questionnaire design for business research beyond linear linking-an interactive approach. New York: Tate Publishers. Dorney, Z., & Taguchi, T. (2010). Questionnaire in second language research: construction, administration and processing. London: Routledge Publishers. Garner, M., Wagner, C., & Kawulich, B. (2009). Teaching Research Methods in the Social Sciences. London: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Marsden, P., & Wright, J. (2010). Handbook of Survey Research. London: Emerald Group Publishing. McNabb, D. (2010). Research methods for political science: quantitative and qualitative approaches. Armonk: Sharpe Publishers. Poynter, R. (2010). The Handbook of Online and Social Media Research: Tools and Techniques for Market Researchers. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Wilson, J. (2010). Essentials of business research. London: Sage. Read More