How to choose a research method
Presenter(s): Dr. Gil Dekel

Once you formulate your research question, you want to identify the correct method to use in the study. Research methods are strategies and tools that help you to collect, analyse, interpret and present information. The main three types of research methods are: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed.
Qualitative – answers the ‘why’ question. A humanistic approach. Concerned with meanings, concepts, thoughts, experiences, social phenomena, context, complexity. Makes sense of data. Analysis through summarising and categorising. Quantitative – focuses on ‘how many; how much?’ questions. An empirical approach. Uses numbers, graphs, stats. Concerned with cause and effect, evaluates trends. Generates data. Analysis through testing, measuring.
Click any flashing icon for more information. Download PDF format here. This interactive graphics is based on a poster developed by Dr Eva Nedbalová.
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About the author
- Published on: 22 March 2023
- Event hosted by:
- Keywords: Research methods | choosing | PhD questions |
- To cite this resource:
Dr. Gil Dekel. (2023). How to choose a research method. National Centre for Research Methods online learning resource. Available at https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/online/all/?id=20795 [accessed: 7 June 2023]
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