Research Methods - Assignment Example

ESSAY, OTHER ESSAY, OTHER Introduction A research method usually uses two measures to collect and analyze data, qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative analyzes data by use of specifics to generalize on the entire population and uses methods such as focus groups, interviews, sampling and many more. Quantitative on the other hand uses statistical methods that begins from a more generalized point to a narrow observations and uses criteria such as chi-square, t-distribution. After the analysis, data is stored in archives for preservations. The following below thus discusses few statistical measures, importance, differences and similarities. Question 1 Discuss the difference between research questions and questions that might be used in an interview. Research questions are usually the origin of the research. The questions provide answers to the problem posed. It is explained in the proposal statements and through literature review. The answers obtained are assumed to be the solutions of the problem under study by the researcher. Thus a research question address and explains the research problem fully. On the other hand, interviews are conversations that take place between the interviewer and the interviewee. It is usually conducted by the interviewer (Seidman, 2013). He/she draws question statements and presents them to the interviewee. The questions addressed are usually meant to make the researcher to understand more about the research question while the answers obtained are used to analyze the research problem. For example, an interview question may be stated as, “Our Company can only fund three quarters of the research, how would you raise the remaining funds so that you complete your research?” while a research question can be expressed as “in what ways does financial capacity affects the research?” Similarities between a research question and an interview question Research questions are used to write interview questions. The researcher must know and understand what the research problem is. To do so, he/she must analyze the research problem to determine what the research requires (Seidman, 2013). He then constructs his interview questions based on what the problem is and then present them to the interviewee. All of them are questions and they seek to find answers to a given problem. Research questions try to define the research problem so that the researcher can know of what is expected of him. An interviews question tries to gain information from the affected persons so as to justify the research problem. Differences between a research question and an interview question An interview question does not provide for full understanding of the research problem since it is constricted and less in depth while a research question defines the problem fully that makes the responded to wholly understand the research problem. An interview questions are structured into a way to collect information about the research problem while a research question tries to define the research problem so that the researcher can understand it better. An interview questions are simple and easy to understand since they are short and clear in details (Seidman, 2013). On the contrary, research questions are complex and difficult to understand since they are described in literature and thesis statement and require the researcher to have a deep analysis for appreciative. Question 2 Advantages and disadvantages of a focus group Focus group is where persons are made into groups where they share their opinions and the information recorded is used to analyze the whole populace (Leavy, 2014). It is usually used in advertisements when the company is launching a new product or would wish to promote an existing good. Advantages The researcher is able to determine immediate response from the respondent since there is direct contact with the client. For example, in promoting a new product, the management can easily make changes before the product reaches the market. The respondents are usually in groups while providing the information. They discuss and then provide data to the researcher. This makes data to be reliable since it is from diverse opinions. Disadvantage The data provided may not be detailed since individuals might not fill free while in groups to be sincere and accurate. The process may too costly for the researcher especially if all the persons involved in the group focus will have to be paid. Limitations of focus groups. The methods used to make individuals into groups may not be accurate. This is due to the fact that, the entire population may not have an equal chance to be selected which renders the information to be biased. Focus groups are usually led by moderators in search of data. They may provide a leading statement so as to generate a specific answer in the study. For instance, the moderator is always aware of a specific answer and cannot stand to be given a wrong result. Out of panic of not to let down the researcher, they provide the response as per the expectations. This compromises the data collected since they do not reflect the true mind of the responded. The moderators may also develop its personal prejudiced. They may not want to dissatisfy the management. As a result they sway the information that suits them so as to make accurate conclusions but are not a true picture from market. Ethical considerations a researcher should consider in qualitative data. Qualitative research involves collection of data through such methods as interviews, questionnaires, surveys and many more. This methodology require direct contact with the respondent, hence the researcher must develop clear ethics that do not undermine the responded. Ethics is just the code of conduct that is needed to undertake the research (Leavy, 2014). They include; confidentiality of the information, willingness of the responded to take part in the research, the responded must be informed early, compensate them if necessary and he should agree on how the information will be collected and stored. By adhering to the ethical issues, the responded are free to provide true information to the researcher, which can be used for accurate analysis for interpretation. The responded is also protected from any future attacks ensuring their safety. Question 3 How does research question in qualitative study differ from quantitative study Statistics imply two methods in data collection; qualitative and quantitative study. A qualitative study usually provides in depth explanation of the topic under study. The research questions in qualitative study starts from a particular observation before condensing the ideas into a more generalized form (Delamont, 2012)., i.e. the researcher on most occasions provides a leading question and tends to answer the question how?. For example, how many doctors are in the hospital? On the other hand, quantitative research questions use more of statistical methods usually presented in counts, use of traits and forms various models for the analysis before deriving the conclusions. For instance, how frequent does the hospital hire new doctors? Why research questions differ. The research questions are usually different due two major reasons which include being objective or subjective and the approaches that are employed to collect data. In qualitative research, most of the times are subjective in the process to collect data. They usually lead the respondent to a specific answer which favors them as opposed to being neutral (Delamont, 2012).As a result, the questions are subjective rather than being objective. Again most of the time, qualitative researchers are not aware of what they are looking for and thus begins their research from specific questions. This is quite the opposite in quantitative research where the researcher is much aware of what he wants. Due to these factors, research questions are formed differently under the two studies. Question 4 Discuss the use of archival data in qualitative studies Archiving qualitative data is where the used data for a research is no longer being used in the study are stored in a particular place. This is done to ensure that the collected data is not damaged but kept in a safe storage place for any further future actions. Archiving of data is majorly done when the data is already not in use so as to prevent them from getting lost or destructions. Through archiving qualitative data, it ensures that the data is always available for other researchers who might wish to use them for purposes of comparative analysis (Corrigan, 2014). Archived data is always documented. Documentations include such actions as to the methodology of data collection in a previous research, problems and challenges that might have been encountered in the data collection process. This provides useful guides to future researches as they can prepare well for the study by accessing the information in the archive stores. When might the use of archives be appropriate? Where there is need for security and confidentiality of the collected data. Archives ensures the information collected in the research are stored and kept out of reach from many persons so that the information is entirely used for its intended purposes. Where there is need to conduct future research and are thus used as the secondary source for data hence acting as the reference point. Archiving of data ensures there animosity of data. It removes specifics from the data such as names, places so as to ensure safety of the responded. Where there is need to protect individual’s research from misuse. The data stored in archives usually are given rights through copyrights and ownership. This prevents use of other persons research to gain oneself. Where the research is a continuous process and requires the use of the data for the analysis (Corrigan, 2014). This majorly applies to anthropologists who use the information’s almost in their entire lifetime to make observations and conclusions. Hence there is need for them to have it a safe place where they can easily access them. Conclusion Various research methods such use of interviews, focus groups are usually simple and cost effective for any methodology. They involve direct contact with the responded and if the researcher is not biased, they can provide true results that can be used for accurate predictions. However, the information should be stored in a safe place that do not in such a manner the responded is not intimidated. References Delamont, S. (2012). Handbook of Qualitative Research in Education. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Pub. Leavy, P. (2014). The Oxford handbook of qualitative research. Seidman, I. (2013). Interviewing as qualitative research: A guide for researchers in education and the social sciences. New York: Teachers College Press. Vogt, W. P., Gardner, D. C., & Haeffele, L. M. (2012). When to use what research design. New York: Guilford Press. Savin-Baden, M., & Major, C. H. (2012). Qualitative research: The essential guide to theory and practice. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Stopher, P. R. (2012). Collecting, managing, and assessing data using sample surveys. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Corrigan, P. H. (2014). Data protection for photographers: A guide to storing and protecting your valuable digital assets. Kothari, C. R. (2011). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International Ltd. Kuada, J. E. (2012). Research methodology: A project guide for university students. Frederiksberg: Samfundslitteratur. Duke, N. K., & Mallette, M. H. (2011). Literacy research methodologies. New York: Guilford Press. Read More