Types of Research
Among the many research types, four stand out above the rest. Case studies are one example. Case studies examine different cases and then select the most appropriate one for the research. Case studies are useful because they help form the foundation of the research topic. They can also be used to refine or generalise the research subject. Research interviews and focus groups are also effective ways to explore various aspects of a topic.
Exploratory studies are designed to identify a topic by exploring existing facts about it. They attempt to identify basic characteristics and variables about the topic, in order to formulate a hypothesis or research campaign. This type of research ensures that variables and other components are accurate. However, it is not a good choice for large-scale studies. It is often used to determine the effect of a single variable.
Cross-sectional studies compare two or more groups. The participants are selected based on similar characteristics. Then, researchers analyze the results and draw conclusions. Cross-sectional studies are often used as a representative sample of a population. This type of research is most valuable for marketing purposes. For example, a company can compare its sales techniques with those of the bottom 10% of salespeople. This will provide insights into which techniques are effective and which ones do not.
4 Types of Research in Research Methodology
The objective of inductive research is to collect data for the purpose of developing new theories. Hypotheses are formulated by analyzing observations, offering hypotheses that explain the patterns and facts. Inductive research tends to be the first step in theory-building research, and it may lead to deductive research in the future. While both types are important, inductive research is often the best choice for research projects.
how to choose a research methodology
Participation in studies is voluntary and subject to certain conditions. Lack of voluntariness can be defined as being subjected to research without choice, under duress, or undue influence. Pressure to participate in research studies can be subtle or unintentional. A healthcare professional, for example, may be under pressure to participate in a study because they fear upsetting the caregiver. If a person is unable to provide consent for participation, they should refuse the study.
Descriptive research is the opposite of multiple-choice questionnaires. In this method, participants write down their answers in writing. They may be long or short. The researcher then organizes the responses into categories. It can be time-consuming and requires extensive effort, but the results are generally reliable and useful. It’s important to remember that descriptive research is often not the most appropriate choice for every project.