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Understanding research methods
Understanding research methods
Understanding research methods
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Difference Between Research Methods & Research Methodology
Research Methodology and research methods both these terms are being used essentially in any research procedure but makeup of both these is different. In this journal we would talk about their difference but first of all it is necessary to know deeply about research methodology and research methods individually. Let’s have a look over research methodology first.
Research methodology can be defined as, giving a clear cut idea about the methods or process used by a researcher in his/her research in order to gain research objectives. At a right time planning the whole research process and to run it in a right direction, it is very tough to choose related research methodology. Research
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It can be defined as all the methods, techniques used by a researcher during a research study or operations are termed as research methods. They are planned, have scientific approach, systematic and valued. They includes theoretical elements, experimental procedure, numerical values and statistical terms. Research methods help us to gather information, data and find a solution of a problem. Scientific research methods required experiments, they does not accept reasoning only but they demands a proper explanation based on facts, figures, observations and measurements. On the basis of methods research methods are divided into three groups in which some research methods are those that collects data and used at a place where already available data is not enough to carry out the solution about a problem. Some methods consist of such techniques that are used to develop a relationship between the collected data and unknown material. Similarly some other methods are used for evaluating and analyzing the accuracy of obtained results. Research methods are basically the analytical tools of research process. Research methods refer to those instruments that are used in selecting respected research techniques. Research methods are considered a part of research methodology. Research methods are of several types and they all are used according to their need and space in particular research study. The most common used research methods are qualitative and quantitative. As name indicates quantitative research method is based upon the measurement of quantity or amount. It is numerical, uses numbers, and presents results in form of tables and graphs and it is used in natural sciences. While qualitative research method deals with the quality of case. It is non-numerical, uses words and its purpose is to get meaning, feeling and describing the situation under study. Many other research methods are also
Descriptive and non-experimental research is very relevant in the sciences, although many people may not understand that. Non-experimental research can come in two forms; a quantitative study, or a qualitative study. A quantitative study can include research methods such as interviews, questionnaires, surveys and/or psychological tests (Smythe, 2014). A qualitative study can include research methods including qualitative interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research and/or historical research (Smythe, 2014). Both methods of non-experimental research are beneficial in the world of science or psychology as they can both produce new knowledge.
The term methodology refers to the way in which we approach problems and try to find answers and in social science, it applies to how research is conducted, our assumptions, interest and purposes shape which methodology we choose (Steven, 2016:3).Qualitative research is understanding people from their own perspectives, their viewpoint and experiencing reality as they experience it. Qualitative research has many approaches or methods of collecting data and one of them is an interview which I have chosen to explain further based on it as a method of collecting data. The interview is the most common method of data gathering used in qualitative research and it is used in deferent ways by every main theoretical and methodological approach.
Research refers to search for knowledge. It is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a particular topic. In another words, it's a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge. The Research Process Research is regarded as a cyclical process that generally involves the stages shown in the diagram on the following page. [IMAGE] Stage 1: Define the research problem Select a topic for the research.
Quantitative research uses a deductive reasoning also known as top to bottom or (top down approach) starting with a theory, then the hypothesis, followed by observation and finally confirmation , going from the general to the more specific. Quantitative methods use numbers and statistics to show the results of the research exercise and mainly are concerned with mathematics and statistics. In quantitative research there are levels of measurement being firstly nominal which are names of things followed by ordinal sequence of things, interval where the sequence has equal distance between each item, and ratio where there is a true zero (Alston & Bowles, 2003, p. 7-9).
Quantitative research involves the collection and converting of data into numerical form to enable statistical calculations be made and conclusions drawn. It provides a measure of how people think, feel or behave and uses the statistical analysis to determine the results. However, this measurement results in numbers, or data, being collected, which is then analyzed by using quantitative research methods (Byrne, 2007).
Methodology outlined: Methodology is an outline that can provide guidance on researcher to avoid unnecessary steps and examined the research to the point in order to provide effective and efficient solutions.
Research methodologies used in health sciences are; Experimental Research: Experimental research is conducted to discover the facts in which researchers control the variables. It provides an opportunity to establish a relationship between the cause and effects (Neutens & Rubinson, 2014). Survey: Survey may be done by conducting an interview and observing a situation or behavior. “This research involves recording, describing, analyzing, and interpreting conditions that presently exist”(Neutens & Rubinson, 2014).
With the help of quantitative techniques, the decision maker is able to discover policies for attaining the lay down objectives. Quantitative techniques also include methods that focus on objective measurements and analyzing numbers in order to describe conclusions about research subjects. In short, quantitative techniques are to be expected in decision-making process.
There are many applications of research methodology. The research methodology gives the complete description of a particular theme selected by the researcher. It includes many techniques based on the behavioral events and actions. It includes primary sources and secondary sources of data to provide the correctness of information. The techniques include
Qualitative and quantitative research methods take different approaches to gathering and analysing information. Whether it is a qualitative or quantitative study, the research study begins with a question or series of questions. Both use rigorously designed studies to get the most accurate, detailed and complete results. Qualitative studies common methods are interviews, surveys and observation. A qualitative study aims to provide a detailed description of the study results, often using pictures and written descriptions to describe what the research revealed. A qualitative study looks at the big picture, helping researchers to narrow in on points of interest that then can be followed up on in a quantitative study. While a quantitative study has a narrower focus, it attempts to provide a detailed explanation of the study focus, along with this using numbers and statistics. And the results from a quantitative study can reveal bigger questions that call for qualitative study. Or vice versa a qualitative study may reveal at analysis that a more focus and direct approach may be needed. With both methods analysis is a key part of any study whether qualitative or quantitative.
Research is systematic way to find out facts and knowledge as Kothari (2006) has analyzed that research is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment; the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solutions to a problem. However there are two types of researches one is by Purpose and other is by method. The type by purpose falls into three categorize such as Basic, Applied and Action Research.
...ve and quantitative methods to conduct a successful research. But, both qualitative and quantitative research is based on assumptions, and both when carried out accurately provide good research.
Research which is also known as the search for knowledge is an art of scientific search for specific information. According to Clifford Woody, the research includes defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis and suggested solutions, collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusion and further testing whether the conclusion will fit into formulating hypothesis. Research Methodology is a scientific and systematic way of finding solution to a problem. In this research, researcher has studied various steps for research like problem along with the logic behind them. For this study, researcher must know various research techniques like mean, mode,
The Importance and Appropriateness of Utilizing Different Methodologies for Research. Introduction The process of research entails the logical as well as systematic search for useful data and information with regard to a specific topic (Jha, 2008). It is also comprised of the investigation of the best, most cost effective and appropriate solutions to both social and scientific issues, following an objective and logical analysis. Jha, (2008) defines research as the search for knowledge and the discovery of the truth. During this process, the data can be gathered from a wide pool of sources among them interviews, books, nature among others.The data can then be analyzed with the appropriate data analysis tools, so as to report the findings
Every research study should describe the methods used for collecting, analysing and interpreting data. Research methodology is a systematic solving of the research problem and includes all the tools and methods used in the research process.