Panel Survey and Focus Group Research Approaches - Literature review Example

? Research methods A research approach is a process used coming up with a sample population and acquiring data. These approaches are very important in adding knowledge or exploring new advancements in any discipline. In this paper the following research approaches have been discussed: Panel survey, Focus group, Textual analysis, Experimental Methods, and Questionnaire-Based surveys, Projective techniques (PT). Similarities and differences among them is discussed, a table is drawn to further illustrate advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Panel survey Panel survey is a form of longitudinal studies that seeks to gather information from the same population over a period. Panel survey is referred to as a longitudinal study because under this study data is not collected over a single point in time but over a stretched period (Marsden & Wright, 2010). Panel survey is unique form of study considering the fact that it utilizes the same sample population over a period. This means that time is an important factor when analyzing panel survey because it is the major distinctive factor from other forms of research methods and approaches. Nichols (2009) elucidates the sample population, which the respondent visit regularly for the purpose collecting data is usually referred to as Panel. It is not worth that unlike other form of surveys panel survey often involves a small sample to lessen the burden of follow-ups. The focus of panel survey is usually people with unifying attribute in a particular period (Amico, 2009). This may include people living condition, students of a particular class or individuals born in the same era. Panel survey has been associated with a wide range of advantages beginning with the fact that it involves regularly repeated interviews thus providing accurately fresh data over time. Another major advantage is the fact that Panel survey does not only focus on the simple association between variables but also offers a deep insight to causality. Panel survey is certainly one of the few research methods that can be used to track process and events (Lynn, 2009). For instance, panel survey can be used to track poverty dynamics of particular households over time. The same case can apply to tracking exposures to unemployment over time in the society. Panel surveys are broad and detailed taking into consideration that they engage regular follow-ups, which gives the researcher a perfect opportunity for gathering detailed information about the subjects, compared to cross sectional research methods. Despite the widely traded advantages of panel survey, it is noteworthy that this form of research method also comes with a wide range of short backs. The fact that this form of research method involves follows makes it one of the most expensive methods of gathering data inform of time consumption and cost (Yang, Zhao, & Dhar, 2010). Follow up rate is also another major challenge that researcher have to experience during panel surveys considering that they are difficult to sustain owing to the duration of time involved. There is less representation in panel survey compared to traditional sample survey techniques. Because of the cost involved, most researchers are often influenced into using a small sample size when carrying out Panel survey. This is quite disadvantageous owing to the fact that the surveyor may not get the exact representation of the population. Attrition of panel members is another challenge that pane survey tend to face (Lee, 2007). It is common knowledge that panel survey normally involves gathering data from same participants over a period and such conduct may be weary to the participants and as such drop out of the study. Finally, panel survey can be difficult to conduct considering the complexes of making follow-ups over time. Focus group Focus group just like other significant research methods such as Questionnaire-Based surveys, Case Studies, Experimental Methods, Textual analysis has a wide range of similarities as well as dissimilarities associated with panel survey. Key among the similarities between Focus group and panel survey includes but not limited to use of interviews, involve a small sample population, involve participants with common interest, and experienced moderators. Mills (2010) assert that Focus group is a form of research method that involves group discussion, which are focused on gaining participants insight, attitude, knowledge and perceptions towards a particular subject in question. Focus group just like panel survey is recognized for utilizing interviews to gather information from the participants. In fact, focus group normally involves a direct interview whereby the moderator asks the invited group of participants to share their feelings, ideas and thoughts about a particular subject (Carlock, & Anali, 2008). Similarities between panel survey and focus group Both focus group and panel survey are renowned for employing a small group of participants. Focus group often involves a small number of participants to encourage full participation of every one considering that the interview is normally carried out on definite time duration. Panel survey on the other had normally involved a small group of participant in order to maintain an effective follow up. In both cases of research methods participants often have common interest in the sense that a panel survey may engage a patients suffering from a particular disease to track its pattern while a focus group may target a particular niche market for a product to gain insight or perception of the consumers towards the product in question. Differences between panel survey and focus group Apart from the similarities, there are distinctive differences between panel survey and focus group. Key notable difference between focus group and panel survey is based on timing. For instance a panel survey is often carried out over a long period while focus group on the other hand is mostly carried out once within a definite time frame. This means that making future follow-ups is an important element of panel survey while this is not the case with focus group. Another difference is evident in the fact that focus survey often involves same participants over a period unlike in focus group where the participants may only be interviewed ones. According to Singh (2007) Case studies are form of qualitative descriptive research that is used to gather data through exploration and description of particular individual units, which may include a parson or group of people. Case studies share a number of similarities with panel surveys besides the widely known differences. Notable similarity in panel survey and case studies lies in the generalization of results. Both the research methods are renowned for generalizing assumptions based on the results of the study (Swanborn, 2010). This is because the researcher in both the studies often in exploring of events and or groups which tend to be a representation of a population facing a particular challenge. Panel survey and case studies are highly applied in social sciences. It is noteworthy that both case studies and panel surveys do not conform to rigid protocols of exploration. This is because they often take into consideration various in-depth studies, which can be spread over a long period. Key difference evident between panel survey and case studies lies in cost. Case studies are highly expensive compared to panel survey taking into consideration the ways of collecting data, analyzing and reporting results (Menard, 2008). Another difference lies in the object of the studies considering that case studies are mostly used in studying causations rather than panel surveys, which is highly used for tracking events. Textual analysis Textual analysis is research methodology that involves studying the content of the communication (Helder, 2011). It revolves around how people from different cultures as well as subcultures try to express their understanding of the world. Researchers often try to interpret texts such as television programs, magazine, graffiti, advertisements, films, paintings, and cloth in order to reveal how owners of these text perceive the world around them (McKee, 2003). Similarity in Panel survey and textual analysis is evident in the sense that both the research studies seeks to interpret reality with respect to how people work. Notable differences between panel survey and textual analysis are based forms of research methodology, timing, and source of data. It is noteworthy that panel survey is qualitative research method while textual analysis is a quantitative research method. Additionally panel survey seeks to get its data from primary sources while textual analysis utilizes secondary data sources. Finally, panel survey is a longitudinal survey while timing of the study in textual analysis is not a priority (GRIN Verlag, 2009). Questionnaire-Based surveys Saris and Gallhofer (2007) asserts that Questionnaire-Based surveys are an important research instrument for gathering vital data from research participants. Panel survey is different from questionnaire in number of ways key among them in administration and cost. Panel surveys are normally carried out through interviews and observation and most importantly the administrator normally engage directly with the respondents (Marsden & Wright, 2010). This is not the case with the administration of questionnaire as the responded can be mailed the structured questions or the questionnaires can be dropped in their houses besides being administered in a group setting (Brace, 2008). Administering Questionnaires is normally cost effective compared to panel survey, which requires follow-ups on regular basis. Finally questionnaires is a cross sectional study while panel survey is a longitudinal study. Experimental Methods Experimental Methods refers to scientific approach towards data gathering whereby researchers manipulates a single or more variables while randomizing other variable(s) at the same time to establish any changes in the variables (Connaway & Powell, 2010). Key differences are evident between panel survey and experimental research key among them being manipulation of variables. There is no manipulation of variables in panel survey, as the issue of control group is not taken into consideration. According to Doumpos, Chatzi, and Zopounidis (2006) Experimental research are often carried out to explain some form of causation. This is not the case with panel survey, which is often carried out to track certain events and dynamics. Experimental research has been used monotonously over the resent past in healthcare setups to study effect of drugs on patients. Projective techniques (PT) It is a clinical psychology test used in carrying out research in marketing, advertising and consumer research. It is also referred to as motivational research. It is techniques of gathering data based on the theoretical framework of ‘projection’. This is a self-defense mechanism stimulated in an individual. This method is used to understand the human perception towards stimulated situations. The similarity between focus group and project techniques is that they both seek the human understanding, inner feelings and thinking of a given case. Research methods Sample size Advantages Disadvantages Type of research method Panel survey Applicable Small population -Provides accurately fresh data over time -Offers a deep insight to causality -Panel surveys are broad and detailed a longitudinal study It’s expensive: time consumption, less representation due to small number qualitative research method Focus group small sample population -Participants to share their feelings, ideas and thoughts about a particular subject -Group discussion, which are focused on gaining participants insight, attitude, knowledge and perceptions It’s expensive: time consumption, less representation due to small number qualitative research method Textual analysis Small sample population -Television programs, magazine, graffiti, advertisements, films, paintings, and cloth quantitative research method Experimental Methods Large sample population Reliable, empirical and standardized procedures. Controls to obtain quality results Not possible to control all variables It is artificial and may not apply in real life quantitative research method Questionnaire-Based surveys Large sample population Cost effective compared to panel survey questionnaires is a cross sectional Expensive Quantitative methods Projective techniques (PT) Large sample size High accuracy of information Gives the overall functionality of humanity Data is complex Measures are not reliable It is expensive to administer Uses both qualitative and quantitative methods References Amico, K. (2009). Percent total attrition: A poor metric for study rigor in hosted intervention designs. American Journal of Public Health, 99(9), 1567-75. Brace, I. (2008). Questionnaire design: How to plan, structure and write survey material for effective market research. London: Kogan Page. Carlock, D. & Anali, M. (2008). Exploring faculty experiences with e-books: A focus group. Library Hi Tech, 26(2), 244-254. 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