RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

❖ What is Research Methodology?

The system of collecting data for research
projects is known as research methodology. The
data may be collected for either theoretical or
practical research.

❖ General Research Design

a. Qualitative
b. Quantitative
c. Mixed
RESEARCH METHODS . .

❑Quantitative data – when your thesis

problem requires numerical measurements of
traits, trends, characteristics or attributes of
the subject matter; Analysis leads researcher
to:
• depict what is typical and a typical among the
data;
• show the degree of difference or relationship
between two or more variables;
• determine the likelihood that the findings are
real for the population as opposed to having
occurred only by chance in the sample.
RESEARCH METHODS. .

❑Qualitative data – when your thesis problem

focuses on the meanings, perceptions,
symbols or description of the subject matter.
Analysis leads researcher to:
• observe behaviors, situations, interactions
and environments;
• scrutinize these observations for patterns
and categories;
• answer research questions based on what
can be deduced from the findings.
 Complementary Not Enemies
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative Quantitative

1. What? Why? How? 1. How many? How big?

2. Small sample size; specific 2. Taps individual responses;
segments large sample for statistical
generalizations with a degree of
3. Very fast and less expensive accuracy
4. Researcher is the data 3. More time and money
gathering instrument.
4. Researcher uses tools, such
5. Recommended during as questionnaires or equipment
earlier phases of research to collect numerical data.
projects. 5. Recommended during latter
phases of research projects.
 Complementary Not Enemies
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative Quantitative
6. Used a prelude to quantitative 6. Used a scientific evidence to
research to aid inn the survey rationalize decision making
development
7. Statistical Analysis –
7. Content Analysis – considers projectable: statistically
verbal and non-verbal reactions;
emphasis more on meaning representative of data
rather than numbers 8. Data is in the form of numbers
8. Data is in the form of words, and statistics.
pictures or objects. 9. Objective - seeks precise
9. Subjective – individual measurement & analysis of
interpretation of events is target concepts, e.g., uses
important ,e.g., uses participant surveys, questionnaires etc.
observation, in-depth interviews
etc.
 Complementary Not Enemies
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative Quantitative
10. Exploratory – understand, 10. Numerical response to
discover, investigate, develop, measure. estimate, forecast
diagnose problems
11. Gain insights, generate 11. Can test hypotheses
hypothesis – use projective generated using experimental
techniques approach
12. Richer source of ideas; taps 12. Can be done periodically for
creativity; can modify an idea comparison
before it is finalized; for
vocabulary building and
language clarification
 Complementary Not Enemies
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative Quantitative

13. Generate explanations 13. Quantify success

of quantitative findings 14. Sub-group sampling or
14. Spontaneity, flexibility, comparison; test
In-depth probing of both differences-confidence
rational and emotional
feelings(underlying levels
motivations, values, 15. All aspects of the
causes of some observed study are carefully
behavior) designed before data is
15. The design emerges as collected.
the study unfolds.
 Complementary Not Enemies
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative Quantitative
16. Researcher tends to 16. Researcher tends to
become subjectively remain objectively
immersed in the subject separated from the
matter. subject matter.
17. Qualitative data is 17. Quantitative data is
more 'rich', time more efficient, able to test
consuming, and less able hypotheses, but may miss
to be generalized. contextual detail.
 Complementary Not Enemies
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative Quantitative
18. Qualitative 18.Quantitative
research involves analysis research involves analysis
of data such as words of numerical data.
(e.g., from interviews),
pictures (e.g., video), or
objects (e.g., an artifact).
 Complementary Not Enemies
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative Quantitative
19. Qualitative research has 19. Quantitative research is
its roots in social science and is concerned with counting and
more concerned with measuring things, producing in
understanding why people particular estimates of
behave as they do: their averages and differences
knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, between groups (e.g., blood
fears, etc. (e.g., why do pressure of patients treated
patients prefer to be involved with two different drugs).
in decision-making about their
treatment?)
 Triangulation
• It is important to focus also on how the techniques can be
integrated, such as in mixed methods research.
❑ Triangulation - Use of more than one approach to the
investigation of a research questions in order to enhance
confidence in the ensuing findings
❑ 4 Types of Triangulation: Use more than one (Denzin,
1970)
✓ Data triangulation-several sampling strategies, so that
slices of data at different times and social situations, and on
a variety of people, are gathered.
✓ Researcher triangulation- more than one researcher in the
field to gather and interpret data.
✓ Theoretical triangulation – more than one theoretical
position in interpreting data
✓ Methodological triangulation – more than one method for
data gathering
 Triangulation
❑ Within-Method Triangulation – in a
questionnaire and observation
❖Example: Two contrasting scales used to
measure
❖ Open-ended and likeability rating scale
❑Between Method Triangulation – use two
contrasting methods
❖Example: Qualitative and quantitative
research methods
 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
❖Qualitative research allows the subjects being
studied to give much ‘richer’ answers to
questions put to them by the researcher, and
may give valuable insights which might have
been missed by any other method.
Not only does it provide valuable information
to certain research questions in its own right
but there is a strong case for using it to
complement quantitative research methods
 Three main methods for collecting data in
Qualitative Research
▪ Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
For this method the researcher brings
together a small number of subjects to discuss the
topic of interest. The group size is kept deliberately
small, so that its members do not feel intimidated
but can express opinions freely. A topic guide to aid
discussion is usually prepared beforehand and the
researcher usually ‘chairs’ the group, to ensure that
a range of aspects of the topic are explored. The
discussion is frequently tape-recorded, then
transcribed and analyzed.
Methods Used in Qualitative Research
▪ Direct observation
Data can be collected by an external
observer, referred to as a non-participant
observer. Or the data can be collected by a
participant observer, who can be a member of
staff undertaking usual duties while observing
the processes of care. In this type of study the
researcher aims to become immersed in or
become part of the population being studied,
Methods Used in Qualitative Research
so that they can develop a detailed
understanding of the values and beliefs held
by members of the population. Sometimes a
list of observations the researcher is
specifically looking for is prepared
beforehand, other times the observer makes
notes about anything they observe for analysis
later.
Methods Used in Qualitative Research
▪ In-Depth Interviews
Interviews use the same principle as a
focus group, but subjects are interviewed
individually, ideally in the patient’s own home.
Interviews in qualitative research are usually
wide ranging, probing issues in detail. They
seldom involve asking a set of predetermined
questions, as would be the case in quantitative
surveys. Instead they encourage subjects to
express their views at length.
Methods Used in Qualitative Research
One particularly useful technique is the critical
incident study, in which subjects are asked to
comment on real events rather than giving
generalizations. This can reveal more about
beliefs and attitudes and behavior. The
researcher may be able to obtain more detailed
information for each subject, but loses the
richness that can arise in a group in which
people debate issues and exchange views.
Methods Used in Qualitative Research
• Case study - This is an in-depth study of just
one person, group or event. This technique is
simply a description of individuals.
• Role-play and simulation - Participants may
be asked to play a role, or may be asked to
observe role-play, after which they are asked
to rate behavior, report feelings, and predict
further events.