Research Methods

Research Methods

1. Quantitative Research Methods

   • Postal Questionnaires
     • cheap to conduct
     • large sample group for not much money
     • wide sample by using different regions
     • takes little time
     • easy to quantify
     • respondents are more honest
     • less bias
     • reliable as can be checked by other researchers
     • no way to explore furhter
     • questions must be short and simple
     • many cannot be bothered to complete the survey
     • unable to clarfy
     • relies on literacy
     • respondents may not understand questions
   • Online survey
   • official statistics

2. Qualitative research methods

   • participant observation
   • Interview
     • time consuming
     • expensive
     • small sample group
     • unstructured interviews
       • ask further questions
     • you can clarify
     • you can have a translator present
     • respondents use their own words
     • may not feel comfortable talking to an interviewer
     • could be bias
     • not anonymous
   • observation
     • good for studying interactions and processes
     • good for grasping feelings and meanings
     • provides a realistic and in-depth picture of what is happening
     • takes a lot of time
     • can be dangerous
     • high costs
     • lots of bias
     • unreliable - cannot be repeated
     • reactivity - the presence of the researcher may change the result
     • difficult to quantify
     • difficult to record findings
   • case studies
     • Lots of qualitative data
     • takes a long time
     • Only gives one view
   • longitudinal studies