Methods of Research (Detailed) - Research Aptitude Notes

Introduction

Research methods are the strategies, processes or techniques utilized in the collection of data or evidence for analysis in order to uncover new information or create better understanding of a topic.

 There are different types of research methods which use different tools for data collection:

1. Historical Research Method
2. Descriptive Research Method
3. Experimental Method of Research
4. Action research
5. Quantitative Research Method
6. Qualitative Research Method

In continuance to methods of research:

Action Research

Action research is a systematic and careful examination of one's own educational practices using research techniques. The term "action research" was coined by Kurt Lewin, a German American Social Psychologist, in 1940.

• It encompasses various evaluative, investigative, and analytic research methods aimed at diagnosing problems or weaknesses and devising practical solutions promptly.
• This type of research is typically conducted to address immediate issues and is considered a form of applied research.

Objectives of Action Research:

• Identifying problematic areas and enhancing working conditions within educational institutions.
• Fostering a scientific attitude among teachers, students, principals, and administrators to study, understand, and resolve current academic issues.
• Unleashing the potential of school functionaries to improve overall school functioning.

Features of Action Research

• It typically arises from specific situational needs, and solutions are designed accordingly.
• Action is taken in response to real-world problems that manifest in practical situations.
• Emphasizes urgent problems that require immediate attention.
• Primarily focuses on social contexts like educational institutions.
• Involves small-scale interventions rather than large-scale studies.
• Utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods for investigation.

Steps followed in Action Research:

1. Identification of a Problem: The initial step involves recognizing and pinpointing a specific issue or challenge within a given context. This problem serves as the focal point for the research process.

2. Defining, Analyzing, and Explaining the Problem: Once identified, the problem must be clearly defined, thoroughly analyzed, and comprehensively explained. This stage involves delving into the nuances of the issue to gain a deeper understanding.

3. Listing and Stating the Probable Causes: After understanding the problem, it is crucial to list and articulate the potential factors or reasons contributing to its existence. This process helps in identifying the root causes.

4. Development of Propositions/Formulation of Hypotheses: Based on the analysis of causes, researchers develop propositions or hypotheses that serve as tentative explanations to be tested during the research.

5. Planning, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Action Research: This stage involves creating a detailed plan of action, executing the plan, and evaluating the outcomes. It is where the proposed solutions are put into practice.

6. Drawing Conclusions and Making Decisions: Following the implementation phase, researchers draw conclusions based on the findings. These conclusions inform decisions regarding the effectiveness of the interventions and potential next steps.

7. Sharing of Results: The final step involves sharing the results of the action research with relevant stakeholders. This sharing of insights and outcomes is crucial for promoting learning and driving further improvements.

Example: Imagine a school where the teachers notice a significant drop in student engagement during mathematics classes. Through action research, the teachers can systematically analyze their teaching methods, identify the issues, and implement new strategies to enhance student learning and participation.

Quantitative Research Method

Quantitative research is a structured way of collecting and analyzing data obtained from different sources. This method involves the use of computational, statistical, and mathematical tools to derive results.

• Data Collection Tools: Surveys and Experiments.
• Experiments in Quantitative Research: Provide specific results regarding cause and effect relationships
• Reliability of Results: Results obtained from quantitative research are extremely reliable.
• Impartiality and Fairness: No scope for personal comments or biasing of results.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

• Quantitative research follows a deductive or 'top-down' approach where the researcher formulates and employs hypotheses.
• It is grounded in the logical-positive paradigm, utilizing experimental methods and quantitative measures to test specific hypothetical generalizations with a narrow focus.
• Researchers in quantitative research view their subjects as existing independently and without intrinsic meaning.
• The behavior of subjects under study is assumed to be regular and predictable.
• Common research objectives in quantitative studies include description, explanation, and prediction of social phenomena.
• Quantitative research endeavors to study behavior under controlled conditions, with observations being objective and based on different observers.
• Closed-ended structured questionnaires, tests, attitude scales, rating scales, etc., are utilized to collect quantitative data for precise measurement.
• Probability sampling is the primary sampling strategy in quantitative research, involving the selection of a representative sample from a larger population.
• Quantitative research is deductive, focusing on testing theories that have already been proposed. It involves the analysis of validated quantitative data using advanced statistical methods.

Quantitative research is characterized by its emphasis on quantifying and analyzing data to draw conclusions. By employing a systematic and structured approach, researchers in this domain aim to provide objective insights into various phenomena. For instance, in a study investigating the relationship between academic performance and socioeconomic status, quantitative researchers might use statistical analyses to determine the strength and direction of this relationship.

Qualitative Research Method

Qualitative research is a method of naturalistic inquiry that seeks in-depth understanding of social phenomena within their natural setting. It focuses on the 'why' rather than the 'what' of social phenomena and relies on the direct experiences of human beings as meaning-making agents in their everyday lives.

During the late 18th century, philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, William Dithey, Edmund Husserl, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty believed that life consists of experiences and we live in a matrix of complex relationships with others. The seminal work of these philosophers paved the way for the birth of naturalistic or qualitative research.

Importance of Qualitative Research

• Establishment of causal relationships between independent and dependent variables.
• Law-like generalizability of phenomena.
• Replicability.
• Objective in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and reporting of results.
  Qualitative research is dominated by the largely unquestioned natural science paradigm of hypothetico-deductive methodology. Quantitative research goes beyond just analyzing numbers.

Key Points:

• Qualitative research emphasizes understanding over numerical measurement.
• It investigates the 'why' of social phenomena.
• Researchers collect data through methods like interviews, observations, and open-ended surveys.
• Findings are often descriptive and context-specific.
• Qualitative research is crucial for exploring complex human behaviors and social interactions.

Methods of Qualitative Research

1. In-depth Interview:

   This method involves personal interviews with one respondent at a time. Researchers can ask questions and follow-up questions to gather precise data on beliefs and motivations.

2. Focus Group:

   A research method involving a limited number of respondents (6-12) focusing on specific research topics. It aims to uncover answers to questions of 'why,' 'what,' and 'how.'

3. Ethnographic Research:

   This method studies sociocultural phenomena through close field observations, aiming to understand cultures, challenges, motivations, and settings as they naturally occur.

4. Text or Content Analysis:

   Researchers analyze social life by decoding words and images from various forms of media. The goal is to identify and present important content characteristics in a simplified manner for better understanding.

5. Phenomenology:

   A method that describes the structures of experiences as they appear to consciousness without relying on theories or assumptions from other disciplines. It focuses on individual experiences and perceptions.

Qualitative research methods offer various approaches to understanding human behaviour and societal phenomena. Each method has its unique advantages and applications, providing valuable insights into different aspects of research.