How to choose a research method

Presenter(s): Dr. Gil Dekel


decorative image to accompany text

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.



   |   Download slides [ 983 Views ]

Download video's images (in a PowerPoint file).

 

 

 Qualitative methods: Quantitative methods:Mixed methods:

 

Interviews

Contextual research (visiting people in their everyday environment)

Flexible study conditions that can be adjusted

Think-aloud

Focus groups

Case studies

Ethnography

Literature review

Grounded theory

Action research

Well-defined; controlled study conditions

Usually no think-aloud

Surveys

Experiments

Systematic observations

A/B testing

Control-sensitive

Regression Analysis

Empirical investigation

 Combined 
 methods...

 


A slide presentation for your class:

Click the green 'next' button to go to next slide.



   |   [ 294 Views ]


   |   [ 128 Views ]


   |   [ 193 Views ]


   |   [ 519 Views ]



About the author

Gil Dekel is a doctor in Art, Design, and Media, specialising in processes of creativity and inspiration in art-making. He is an Associate Lecturer at the Open University, UK, and co-author of the ‘Energy Book’.

 

Primary author profile page



BACK TO TOP