Research methods are the tools and strategies you use to gather information and answer a question or solve a problem. They guide how you collect, organise, and analyse data to better understand a topic.
Think of it like this: if you're trying to learn about people's favourite ice cream flavours, you might ask questions like:
For example, some common research methods include:
In short, research methods are the "how-to" of answering questions and exploring ideas in a structured and reliable way.
Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding social aspects that can’t easily be measured with numbers. It emphasises the meanings and interpretations of social phenomena and processes in the specific contexts where they happen. This approach often uses interviews, observations, or text analysis to gain deep insights into people’s experiences or behaviours.
Quantitative research involves collecting data in numerical form and analysing it using statistical techniques. The data might include durations, scores, incident counts, ratings, or scales. This type of research can be done in controlled settings like laboratories or natural environments like schools or workplaces, and it can involve specific groups or larger populations.
The key feature is the use of numbers, whether the data starts as numerical values or is converted to numbers during analysis, like in content analysis.
Mixed methods research combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches in the same study to address a single research question. This approach leverages the strengths of both methods to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic being studied.
Information above adapted from Sage Research Methods.
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