Research Methods in Maritime Policy - Merits and Demerits - Case Study Example

Research Methods Research methods Research is defined as the organized and systematic manner of looking for answers to questions. Systematic in the sense that there are definite sets of steps and procedures to be follow and organized in the sense that there are defined procedures in carrying out the research (Blaxter, Hughes, & Tight, 1996). Finding the expected answers is the ultimate goal of any research work. Questions are as well, an important component in any research work. In case, a question is not evoked, then certainly, there will be no use for answers. Every research work is the focus on certain useful information and research is successful if answers to the questions can be found. There are three research methods most applicable in research. These are qualitative, quantitative and mixed quantitative and qualitative method of research. This paper discuses research methods with a focus on their merits and demerits. In social sciences, quantitative research is used to refer to systematic investigation of a phenomenon through a computation technique (Briffa, Osborn & Schweingruber, 2001). The aim of the quantitative research is to employ and come up with mathematical theories or models that pertain to the phenomena (Briffa, Osborn & Schweingruber, 2001). Measurement processes are key elements as far as quantitative research is concerned since they provide fundamental connections linking mathematical expressions and empirical observations. Therefore, quantitative research is used in analyzing numerical data. Examples of research strategies that fall under quantitative research methods include surveys, laboratory experiments, numerical methods, as well as formal methods such as the econometrics (Rose & Sullivan, 1993). Merits of Quantitative Research Methods • It involves the validation and testing of the theories that already existed. • It involves tasting of the hypotheses which was constructed before data collection. • It can lead to generalization of data especially if the data obtained is based on the random sufficient samples. It is very useful in the collection of data which allow predictions that are quantitative to be made (Plewis, 1997). Limitations of Quantitative research methods • Categories used by the researcher may fail to indicate the understanding of the local constituency. • Focus on the testing of the hypothesis may make a researcher to miss out the occurring phenomena. • The Knowledge obtained from this study may be very general and abstract that the direct application in the contexts, individuals, local situations may not be possible. Survey The term ‘survey’ is used widely in research work. It refers to the process of selecting a relatively large sample of people from a pre-determined population in which the researcher is interested in (Peers, 1996). This process is followed by collecting a small quantity of the data out of the selected individuals. This information is then used by the researcher in making inferences concerning the wider population. In using the surveys, collection of data are in a standardized form usually achieved is usually through interviews or by a questionnaire. Surveys are always designed in away to providing snapshots of state of things at any specific time (Peers, 1996). This strategy is suited to descriptive type of studies, although limited to aspects of a situation (Peers, 1996). Advantages of using survey • The research gives data that are based on empirical data. • The coverage of many events implies more likelihood of some other approaches to obtaining data that are based on representative samples. This may be generalizable for a whole population (Kanji, 1993). • Survey produces large data within a short time at a fairly low cost. This implies, therefore, that researchers can come up with small time-span for a given project. This in effect assists, in good planning, as well as, in delivering end results (Kanji, 1993). Disadvantages of using Survey • How significance data is become neglected should the concerned researcher put much emphasis on the coverage while excluding the account of the implications of the data for problems, issues, or theories (Hunter, & Erin, 2008). • There is likelihood of the data produced lacking depths on the topic that is being investigated. • It is difficult to control and to secure a high response rates to a survey. This happens when survey is done by post, as well as, when carried out over the telephone or face to face. Experimental Research method Experimental research is a systematic, scientific approach to field research where researchers have to manipulate one or more variables, controls while measuring changes in other variables (Robson, 1990). It involves the collection of research design that utilizes manipulation, as well as, controlled testing in understanding of the causal processes (Robson, 1990). This strategy is common in scientific research. It is commonly applicable in psychology, biology, medicine, chemistry and sociology (Robson, 1990). The strategy is often applied in a causal relationship where there is time priority, in a causal relationship where there is consistency, and where the correlation magnitude is great. Strengths of using Experimental method • It is an experiment of memory and facilitates recognition. • This study addresses causality due to its controls on the extraneous variable (Hunter & Erin, 2008). Weaknesses of using Experimental method • In some cases, it is always hard to manipulate some certain variables. • The results obtained in this study cannot be generalized. • For the case of laboratory experiment, it is difficult to control the lab settings. Qualitative Research Methods Qualitative research is one of the methods of inquiry used in various academic disciplines, commonly in social sciences, in market research and in other disciplines (Hunter & Erin, 2008). It involves analyzing of data such as video pictures, words from interviews, video pictures or objects like an artifact. The objective of doing a qualitative research is to have deeper knowledge of human behavior, as well as, the governing reasons for such behavior. This method of research seeks to investigate the why and the how of making decisions, but not just about when, where and what. Therefore, focus yet smaller samples are required than the lager samples. Conventionally, qualitative research method provides information limited to certain cases that are studied and any other general conclusions are but assertions. Quantitative research methods then applied in seeking empirical supports to the hypothesis (Lisa, 2008). There are four types of qualitative designs namely case study, ethnography, phenomenology and grounded theory (Lisa, 2008). Generally, this research method is characterized by the following features. • Data is directly collected from the field through document analysis, direct observation and through interviews. • Rich descriptive narratives. • Process orientation involving how and why behavior occur. • Inductive analyses of data. • The perspective of the participants defines what is real. • According to the emerging research designs, there is change in design plans relating to how data is collected, analyzed and understood. • In line with natural settings behavior is learned as it occurs, and beliefs are related to the natural settings. Merits of qualitative research methods The data obtained in this study is based on the subjects’ categorical meaning (Denscombe, 1998). It is useful in studying in depth cases that are limited. It is used in describing complex phenomena. It provides case information for individuals. It conducts an analysis and cross-case comparisons. Limitations of qualitative research methods The knowledge that is produced in this study lacks generalization. It is normally difficult to make quantitative predications. Testing theories and hypothesis of a pool of large participants is difficult. Collection of data and data analysis in this research normally takes lots of time in comparison to quantitative research (Greenfield, 1996). Action Research Action research is a research strategy that involves asking vital questions and seeking answers to the questions in a methodical way (Kasim & Alexander, 2002). These questions have to be meaningful since the researcher needs to know the answers. The questions are connected very closely to real work to be done. This research strategy is practical and is based on the day-to-day research work. Its uniqueness relative to scientific research is that it never requires researchers to be removed from what is studied, but instead it is a part of it (Descomber, 1998). Advantages of Action Research Action research allows professionalization progress especially when used in academic, as well as, managerial research (Lisa, 2008). Using action research as a research strategy, allows the researcher to collect data, diagnose research problems, monitoring how well the data collected worked well, searching of solutions, and taking of action on possibilities that are most promising. Action research helps in developing of professional problem solving echoes in the learning cycle. Action research revitalizes the whole teaching community and help teachers to reflect on the practices of the class. It supports individual teachers’ initiative, districts and schools (Denscomber, 1998). Strengths of Action Research • Helps in understanding a person’s practice. • Enables one to make his or her practice better. • Helps one to be able to know how accommodation outside from a person’s practice can be done. This improves an individual practice and makes him better by enabling him to know how he would change outside practice. Weaknesses of action research. • Action research does not provide a valid research because it has an inevitable research that leads to biasness in the collection and analysis of data (Greenfield, 1996). • Action research provides unreliable data because of its unfamiliarity. • Results obtained from action research cannot be generalized. • Action research leads to confusion in the representation of its process. • Action research does not give the appropriate time and speed required for monitoring its practices closely. Ethnography. Ethnography is qualitative research method that is aimed at learning and understanding of cultural phenomena reflecting on the knowledge and system of meanings that guide the life of a given cultural group (Greenfield, 1996). This research strategy was first pioneered in socio-cultural anthropology field, but has increasingly become common in various other fields of social sciences. Ethnography is often used to gather empirical data related to human cultures, as well as, human societies. It is meant to capture both the ordinary activities and the social meanings of the informants in normal settings referred to as fields (Greenfield, 1996). This is meant to collect data in a way not to give allowance for researchers to impose bias on the data collected. Data collection is achieved by participant observation, questionnaires, and interviews. This strategy through writing, aims at describing the nature of those that are studied. This strategy is also called case report or field study in the field of biological sciences. Strength of Ethnography • It is a study that changes preconceived ideas and misunderstandings concerning certain cultures into comprehensions of positive cultures. • This study helps an individual to record his ways of life so that they can preserve their heritage. Weakness of Ethnography • Ethnographic culture study is always time consuming. • To some extent ethnographic studies can tamper with the privacy of the participants especially if the rights are not upheld. • The observations obtained in an ethnographic study are normally biased and could be misunderstood. Grounded Theory Grounded theory strategy is a systematic methodology found in the field of social sciences (Hunter & Erin, 2008). It involves the theory discovery achieved by the data analysis. Grounded theory is commonly used in qualitative research. However, the strategy can also be applicable to quantitative data (Hunter & Erin, 2008). The theory was developed from a corpus of data, and it fits perfectly on one data sets. It is almost in a reverse fashion from the scientific research and at some point it appears in to be in contradiction with the traditional method (Hunter & Erin, 2008). Instead of starting with a hypothesis, collection comes in as the first step and then goes through a number of steps. Provided with data collected, a series of codes are marked that are derived from text. Grouping of the codes into similar concepts is done to the cords workable. Categories are formed from these concepts and the concept then form the basis upon which a reverse engineered hypothesis or theory are created. This in effect, contravenes the traditional research model, in which the researcher has to pick a theoretical framework applying the research model to the phenomenon under study. Strengths of Grounded theory • This method effective in building and understanding theories and phenomena that is new. • It is a study that has emergent theory that is of a high quality. • Idiosyncratic nature of this study is reflected on by the research design. • The resulting theories of this study help in the creation of future generation of investigations into phenomena. • A researcher is expected to be open minded so that he can be able to analyze the data via lenses. Weaknesses Grounded theory • Normally the study has a large amount of data hence inefficient for study. • The study is painstaking and time consuming. • The data of the study always has noise or chaos. Case study A case study involves intensive analyzing of an individual unit and emphasizes on developmental factors. Case studies are common in social sciences and life sciences. It can be explanatory or descriptive (Creswell, 2003). An explanatory case study explores causation in finding underlying principle. The principal might be prospective which involves criteria established with the cases that fit the criteria or retrospective which involves the criteria established for the purpose of selecting cases from historical events to be included in the study. Instead of following certain rigid strict sets of rules and samples in examining few variables, the method of case study involves longitudinal and in-depth examination of an event or a single instance. Case studies provide a definite systematic way of perceiving events, data collection, and information analyzing, and reporting of the results. From this, the researcher might gain higher understanding of how something occurred, and what would become important to look to more keenly in future (Denscombe, 1998). There should not be confusion between case studies and qualitative research. Case studies can be based upon a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative evidence. Strengths of Case study • It is a strategy that can provide detailed information concerning a person under study because it is a study that lasts for a longer period. Weakness of Case study • The results that are obtained from case study cannot help the whole population because, in most cases, the person under study may have a disorder. • Case study always has one viewpoint in its study since it is normally done by one person the entire period thus leading to biased reports. Mixed method research designs. This method combines qualitative and quantitative methods to collecting, reporting and interpreting data. Types of mixed method designs are explanatory, exploratory, and triangulation (Hunter & Erin, 2008). In the explanatory design, the quantitative data are collected first with qualitative data collection following. For Exploratory design, qualitative data are collected first with quantitative data collection following. In Triangulation method quantitative and qualitative data are collected at the same time to help in providing a somewhat more comprehensive but complete set of data. Advantages of mixed method of research. Incorporates the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Provides a more comprehensive view of the phenomena being studied. Does not limit the data being collected. Limitations of mixed of method. Requires expertise in both methods. Requires extensive data collection and resources. It is popular to claim the use of mixed method design even though one method is used superficially. References Blaxter, I., Hughes C., & Tight M., 1996. How to Research. Buckingham, Open University Press. Briffa, K.R., Osborn, L., & Schweingruber, I., 2001. Low-frequency of temperature variations from the northern tree ring density network. The Journal of Geophysical Research, 107(D3):2929–2941. Bryman, K., and Cramer D., 1999. Quantitative Data Analysis using SPSS 8 Release for Windows: a guide for social scientists. London, Routledge. Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K., 2000. Research Methods in Education (5th edition). London, RoutledgeFalmer.. Denscombe, M., 1998 The Good Research Guide. Buckingham, Open University Press. Diriwächter, H., & Valsiner, P., 2006. The Qualitative Developmental Research Methods in The Historical and Epistemological Contexts. FQS. Vol 8, No. 1, Art. 8. Greenfield, T., 1996. Research Methods – Guidance for Postgraduates. London, Arnold. Lisa L., 2008. The Sage encyclopedia of the qualitative research methods. Los Angeles, Calif: Sage Publication. Hunter, L., & Erin, L., 2008. Collaborative Research in Sociology: Trends and Contributing Factors. American Sociologist 39:290–306. Kasim, R., & Alexander, K., 2002. A choice of research strategy for identifying community-based action skill requirements in the process of delivering housing market renewal. Research Institute for the Built and Human Environment: University of Salford, United Kingdom Kanji, J., 1993. 100 Statistical Tests. London, SAGE Publications. Peers, I., 1996. Statistical Analysis for Education & Psychology Researchers. London, Falmer. Plewis, K., 1997. Statistics in Education. London, Arnold. Robson, N., 1990. Experiment, Design and Statistics in the field of Psychology. Middlesex, Penguin Books. Rose, D., & Sullivan, O., 1993. Introducing Data Analysis for Social Scientists. Buckingham, Open University Press. Read More