Comparison of Research Methods - Term Paper Example

? Compare and Contrast Research Methods Qualitative research approaches place emphasis on words and observation to represent reality and tries to describe people in their natural environments (Boeije, 2010). There are many approaches under qualitative research and this paper attempts to compare and contrast eleven of these methods. Informal and in-depth interviews, interviews are employed by social scientists to gather data about a certain topic through direct engagement with the respondent. Interviews are at times categorized as structured or unstructured (also semi-structured). For interviews to generate actual information that tap into the reality of social situations it is important for the interviewer to develop empathy with the interviewees and avoid being unobtrusive (Merriam & Merriam, 2009). It is argued that unstructured interviews are best in gathering information on social situations as they allow the interviewer to be natural and thus encourage the interviewee’s participation. Focus group is another approach of collecting qualitative data. This is a carefully planned discussion tailored to obtain perceptions on a specific topic or area of interest. The process of information gathering under this method involves the moderator who controls the debate and initiates discussion topics, the note-taker, and the participants (Boeije, 2010). Focus group has almost the same merits with the interviewing method. It generates results at a relatively fast rate, has a high face validity and allows the moderator (who assumes an almost similar role as the interviewer) to explore unanticipated issues. However, this method has its fair share of demerits; the main ones are that it has less experimental control, requires a well trained interviewer and it maybe difficult setting up the group (Rubin & Babbie, 2010). Participant observation requires that the researcher becomes a part and parcel of the group under observation. This approach requires a lot of patience and may sometimes require months or years of observation. This is because the researcher has to be accepted and become a natural part of the group being observed. It is only by achieving this cohesiveness that one can ascertain gathered data as of natural phenomenon (Delamont & Jones, 2012). If successfully carried out, this method represents the best approach in gathering data on a natural phenomenon as there is absolutely no chance of manipulation or influence. The major disadvantage with this approach is that it may take the researcher a long time to gather data. Additionally, it is at times not possible to record all data as the researcher may loose focus as he assumes the same natural roles as the focus group (Holloway, Wheeler & Holloway, 2010). Ethnography is the study of social interactions, behaviors and perceptions that take place within social groupings. This approach is said to have grown from anthropological studies that focused on small cultural groupings in the early 20th century. Under ethnographical studies, the researcher becomes an active participant and takes extensive notes (DeWalt & DeWalt, 2011). Participant observation, discussed earlier, is considered an approach under ethnographical approaches. This is mainly because it entails a researcher assuming the role of participant as they go on with their duty of data gathering and data recording. Ethnographical approaches allow for gathering richly detailed data and also provide the researcher with a chance to participate in unscheduled events (Thomas, Nelson & Silverman, 2011). The downside of ethnographical approaches is that the researcher may ignore activities that happen out of the public eye and he may also be tempted to rely on information provided by a few key informants. Consequently, reliance on informants permeates bias as these may not have the objectivity while reporting on the social context. Biographical research is the compilation and analysis of an intensive report detailing an entire life or a part of life, through an in-depth, unstructured interview. Biographical research places an individual within a nexus of social connection, past events and lifetime experiences (Connaway & Powell, 2010). Biographical research appeals as it is exploring, it helps in charting the major societal changes that are underway, but not merely at some broad social level. It is important in helping the task of understanding major social shifts, by including how new phenomenon is understood within the family, within a small group and institutions. The major disadvantage of this approach arises from the legitimacy of information and events spelled by an individual, similarly there are concerns on validity and generalizations (Delamont & Jones, 2012). Additionally, there is a problem of connection between experience and the social context put together by the researcher. Questionnaires are not the most preferred means of gathering qualitative data as they involve a subject responding to stimulus a factor that takes away the natural context. However, they have their own advantages especially where they are used to gather information in a wider population that can be reached through personal interviews (Brace, 2008). They are effective in gathering concise information. They are also a critical method in initiating researches which would be followed up using another qualitative technique to gather additional details on any issues raised. Their main problem is that they take away the natural context, at the same time they also fail to provide thorough information that can be used in understanding natural phenomenon (Flick, 2009). Case study is a form of qualitative research involving extensive analysis of a person, event or group with a focus in identifying developmental factors in relation to context. Case studies allow for a longitudinal study of a given subject, it gives the researcher a chance to look at the factors affecting a given instance or event (DeWalt & DeWalt, 2011). Case studies are effective in gathering and testing hypothesis. Most importantly, they allow one a chance to continually study an instance and sharpen their understanding of the ensuing events. Additionally, case studies provide a perfect chance to study rare phenomena and to challenge theoretical assumptions. The weakness of this approach results from the fact that it might be difficult to generalize findings as they are gathered from a single case (Connaway & Powell, 2010). Also, the analysis process may not be completely free from bias as the data is collected and interpreted by the same individual. The Delphi method is another method of gathering qualitative data. In this approach, experts in a definite field answer questionnaires in two or more rounds. After every round, the coordinator reads through the answers and provides a summary of the experts’ views on different issues (Woodside, 2011). In the preceding round, experts are encouraged to give their reasoned answers in view of the different answers given in the first round. The idea behind the technique is that with every passing round, the responses are narrowed down and the chance of generating a particular response agreeable to all is heightened (Corbin, Strauss & Strauss, 2008). It is this response that is assumed to be the correct or actual representation of the situation under analysis. The main advantage of this approach is that it lowers the chances of bias and information can be gathered in a relatively shorter time. The downside is that it is difficult to collect and summarize the ideas and thoughts presented by all the experts. Historical research is a secondary data analysis employed to determine the influence of past events on the current systems. This data is gathered from various means of recording data such as archival literature, oral histories and historical literature (Stake, 2010). This approach provides a thorough analysis of historical trends, utilizes existent information, and explains ongoing trends and problems (Trakas, 2008). The major problem with this approach is that it is time consuming, may suffer from incomplete or obsolete information and data and various sources maybe conflicting. Observation is another way of gathering qualitative data. This approach requires an observer (the researcher) to take on a central position and study the unfolding events in a natural setting. Unlike the previously considered participant observation, here the observer does not have to be part and parcel of the natural phenomenon (Yin, 2011). Additionally, in this approach the observer may make use of technology such as video recorders to capture certain events or occurrences. The main challenge is that the subject may alter behavior in presence of a third party, again just as is the case with the participant observation it may take a long time to gather data. The grounded theory is another qualitative research approach. It focuses on developing a theory about the phenomena of interest. However, such theory must be based on observation thus the word grounded (Oktay, 2012). The advantage of this method is that by the time of conclusion one has achieved an extremely thorough consideration of the phenomenon under observation (Silverman, 2010). Its main demerit is that it maybe cumbersome and the strength of the findings are dependent on the formulated theory. Comparison table Qualitative approach Ease of use Result generation Permeates bias/generalization Alters natural phenomenon Requires expertise Informal and in-depth interviews Not easy Immediate No Yes Yes Focus group Not easy Immediate No Yes Yes Participant observation Not easy Takes time Yes No No Ethnography Not Easy Takes time Yes No No Biographical research Easy Immediate Yes Yes No Questionnaire Easy Takes time Yes Yes No Case study Not easy Immediate Yes No Yes Historical research Easy Takes time No No No Delphi method Not easy Immediate No Yes Yes Observation Not easy Takes time Yes No No Grounded theory Complex Takes time Yes No Yes References Boeije, H. (2010). Analysis in qualitative research. Los Angeles: SAGE. Brace, I. (2008). Questionnaire design: How to plan, structure and write survey material for effective market research. London: Kogan Page. Connaway, L. S., & Powell, R. R. (2010). Basic research methods for librarians. Santa Barbara, Calif: Libraries Unlimited. 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Berlin: LIT. Woodside, A. G. (2010). Case study research: Theory, methods, practice. Bingley: Emerald. Yin, R. K. (2011). Qualitative research from start to finish. New York: Guilford Press. Read More