This is the first of a two-part article on choosing the right research method for your dissertation. Knowing the various research methods and their differences can help you choose the right method; this article focuses on the basics of methodology and design. After gaining a solid understanding of the different research methods, part two of this series will help you determine how to go about choosing the methodology that is best for your study.
Introduction
In this article, you’ll learn the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods as well as gain a comprehensive explanation for the main types of methods you may use when conducting research for your doctoral dissertation. You will also learn about the factors of strength and validity in research studies, since they are important concepts in helping you determine which particular method to choose.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research Methods
In general, all types of research methods fall under two categories: Qualitative and quantitative.
Qualitative methods focus more on descriptive methods that gather in-depth data while quantitative methods focus on more numerical-based analysis. You can also conduct mixed methods research utilizing both types in one study. However, each type has its own purpose and your decision on which type of methods to use depends on your research questions. Your research methods and research question/s must be aligned in a dissertation.
Qualitative research methods include:
- In-depth Interviews: Here, you conduct in-depth one-on-one interviews with each interview participant. Although you will prepare interview questions beforehand, the actual interview is fluid and can turn to unexpected questions therefore providing you a rich source of comprehensive data.
Example: Conducting in-depth interviews with staff from various non-profits to explore the most effective means of raising funds.
- Focus groups: In contrast to in-depth interviews, in focus groups you conduct interviews with a small group of participants at the same time (usually between 8-10 members). The focus group interview can be structured or unstructured.
Example: Conducting structured interviews with a focus group of 10 participants to determine satisfaction with certain products, services, or organizational processes.
- Direct observation: Here, you’d study a particular group of people, animals, or phenomena in their natural environment, simply by observing what goes on, without participating or intervening.
Example: Directly observing English teachers while they teach ESL students to identify strengths and weaknesses in certain teaching methodologies.
- Participant -observation: Here, you’d observe and study certain behavior or phenomena by first-hand participation in the group.
Example: Participating among a homeless section of the population to determine common behaviors, mores, and patterns.
- Ethnography: This is a more general term used to define research of people in their own environment using methods such as observation and face-to-face interviewing.
Example: Conducting direct observation and interviews of certain aboriginal groups while they go about their daily routines.
Quantitative research methods include:
- Surveys: Here, questionnaires or sampling polls are used to get a sense of a certain behavior. Surveys allow you to accurately judge behavior and present the findings in a conclusive manner.
Example: Analyzing levels of satisfaction among patients for a certain psychiatric medication.
- Correlational research: This tests for certain relationships between two selected variables. You would conduct correlational research to establish what the effect of one variable may have on the other. For instance, would an increase or decrease in one variable correlate with an increase or decrease in the other? Keep in mind that correlation does not imply causation, so this type of study is usually used in conjunction with other methods, especially if your dissertation needs to arrive at more valid conclusions.
Example: Seeing whether levels of education correspond to levels of crime.
- Causal-comparative research: This looks to discover a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables. This type is not conducted between two groups on each other. Instead, it simply looks for a statistical relationship between two variables, for example, how one or more groups would be affected by the same circumstance.
Example: How families of single mothers affect middle school children’s tardiness rates.
Other research types include:
- Case study research: Case studies are about particular persons, groups, organizations, or situations that are studied over a certain period of time. They can be both qualitative or quantitative, or mixed, depending on the particular goals and research questions of your dissertation.
Example: A case study analyzing the effectiveness of major overhauls in a particular organization over the course of a one-year period. The study may utilize mixed methods of employee interviews, surveys, and direct observation.
Control Variables and Research Design
It is important to mention a vital factor in the strength of a research study: control variables. Basically, the more you’re able to control a study’s variables, the more valid its conclusions.
At one end of the spectrum are studies where variables are not controlled at all. The connections between variables are simply observed, as in observational studies. At the other end of the spectrum are studies that conduct close control of variables, and the relationship among the selected variables are clearly and conclusively established.
The three main categories of this spectrum include: Descriptive, quasi-experimental, and experimental.
Descriptive research: These types of studies are used to describe certain phenomena or relationships within a chosen sample. Descriptive research methods give you information about a particular group or phenomena. However, since these designs lack control as well as sample randomization, you cannot determine causation within the groups. In other words, you can answer ‘who’ or ‘what’ but you cannot answer ‘why.’
Descriptive studies include:
- Interviews
- Direct observational studies
- Naturalistic observation
- Case studies
- Some surveys (depending on sample and design)
Quasi-experimental research: You would use quasi-experimental methods to identify differences between two or more groups to explain causation. What keeps these methods from being labeled as genuine ‘experiments’ is not being able to randomize a sample.
For instance, if you aim to find out the effect of gender on high school absenteeism, then this would be quasi-experimental since you won’t be able to randomly assign gender to participants. Quasi-experimental methods are helpful when studying particular groups. Such as depressed people, pregnant mothers, certain races, religions, etc.
- Example: The effect of gender on calculus grades
- Example: Causal-comparative research studies
Experimental research: This type gives you the most control, allowing you to confidently explain differences between certain groups. A key factor of an experimental study is sample randomization (participants are randomly assigned to groups). Usually, you’ll have three groups, the two groups being compared as well as a control group.
Experimental research methods are the ‘gold standard’ of research since they contain the most validity and allow you to confidently identify causation. However, true experimental methods need a lot more resources than other methods and will not work with the time and budget of most doctoral students.
- Example: The effect of a new treatment medication on lung cancer
The Difference Between a Research “Method” and “Design”
Think of a research method as the general framework that guides your study. On the other hand, think of a research design as the specific blueprint you’ll implement to collect data and answer your research questions. The research design generally consists of the following:
- Research methodology
- Sample size and selection methods
- The specific steps of how you’ll gather the data, including time frames and detailed procedures
- Data analysis techniques
Conclusion
Now that you have a solid understanding of the various research methods and their differences, you’re prepared to move on to part two which lays out the steps necessary to select the right research method for your particular dissertation.
Read Part Two and contact us for more support & guidance
