What are the 4 types of research methods?

 Research  methods 

The research  methods mean the method used by the researcher in order to elaborate a specific topic related to a specialty, and the research methods vary from researcher to researcher according to the material or intellectual components available to him, and in the end the goal of the research methods is to reach proofs through which the researcher can produce clear results, and there are a lot of research methods.

What should a researcher determine before using scientific research methods?

There are a range of things that must specify before using scientific research methods:

• Determining the “importance of research”: It is important to determine the importance before using scientific research methods.
• Determining the “purpose of research”: one of the most essential elements of scientific research methods.

 What are the scientific research methods? 

The research methods are the methodology , and among the most prominent of research methods:

• Descriptive method: “One of the most famous of scientific research methods, and commonly used in theoretical research, is one of the oldest of scientific research methods”.
• Experimental approach: One of the best scientific research methods that leads to clear results.
• Inductive approach: “It is considered one of the important scientific research methods, and is used in a certain partial study of one of the phenomena”.
• The inference approach: one of the important scientific research methods, and the defects that guide to that method of scientific research methods is that the results very limited.
• Quantitative surveys: One of the research methods aimed at detailing a particular problem, characterized by a comprehensive view of all parts, and thus an understanding of dimensions, overlaps and aspects.

 Quantitative surveys 

Quantitative surveys is “one of the approaches used to carry out scientific research, and each school interested in scientific research has its say in the research curriculum used, some prefer to use Quantitative surveys, and others prefer qualitative methods”.

Quantitative surveys definition: One of the measurement methods used in scientific research, to test hypotheses, and then apply theories on the ground.

Some scientific research experts liken the Quantitative surveys to the large map used by desert goers to discover a particular area.

 What is the difference between Quantitative surveys and qualitative in scientific research? 

There are many differences between Quantitative surveys and qualitative:

• Goal: Obtaining numbers on the problem of scientific research is the main driver of the use of Quantitative surveys, while social and human motivations are the driving force behind the use of the qualitative approach.
• Study samples: The samples used by the researcher in Quantitative surveys are random samples, while for the qualitative survey regular samples are used.
• Study tools: One of the most common study tools used in quantitative survey is questionnaire forms, while in qualitative survey is Qualitative research interviews, observations and Focus groups.
• The role assigned to the researcher: The role of the researcher is clear in the qualitative surveys, but as for the quantitative method the role of the researcher disappears.
• Flexibility: Quantitative surveys is less flexible than qualitative surveys.
• Scientific hypotheses: Quantitative surveys is concerned with hypotheses, while qualitative surveys does not require hypotheses extensively.

 Qualitative research interviews 

Qualitative research interviews: an important tool for collecting information in the qualitative research, through which the scientific researcher learns about feelings and ideas for researchers.

Some of the most prominent types of Qualitative research interviews include:

• Regular Qualitative research interviews.
• Non-organized Qualitative research interviews.
• Group Qualitative research interviews, this type of qualitative research interview sought to be asked at the same time, and these interviews may be regular qualitative interviews or non-specific Qualitative research interviews, and group Qualitative research interviews contribute to Identify a number of things that are not shown by other types of Qualitative research interviews, and to engage participants plays a significant role in arousing ideas, unlike personal Qualitative research interviews.

What is a Focus groups?

Focus groups are another common qualitative research tool. Focus groups are “facilitated discussions, held with a small group of people who have specialist knowledge or interest in a particular topic”. They are useful in identifying the perceptions and attitudes of people. Focus groups are conducted with about 6-12 people.

Focus groups are typically used to identify the views of people. A Focus groups discussion should be 60–90 minutes. If the Focus groups discussions is less than 60 minutes, these are difficult to explore the discussion topic. If the Focus groups discussions is more than 90 minutes, it may be unproductive .

In a Focus groups discussions, the researcher is not trying to make the group reach a consensus.  Their goal is to explore different people’s opinions on the topic. The results of an In a Focus groups discussions, are exploratory, not conclusive. Since focus group discussions data is qualitative, it may not be generalized to the population. Since qualitative data is often context-specific.

 What are the Qualitative case studies? 

There is often a misunderstanding about what Qualitative case studies are and how “Qualitative case studies” can be guided by evidence-informed decision-making. There are researchers who describe “Qualitative case studies” as “a method used only to study individuals or specific historical events, or as an educational strategy”.

“Qualitative case studies” are “a research approach that facilitates exploration of a phenomenon in its context using a variety of data sources, as Qualitative case studies allow the detection and understanding of multiple aspects of this phenomenon”.

There are two methods that guide Qualitative case studies; both aim to ensure that the form of the phenomenon is identified.” Qualitative case studies” are useful for health science research to develop theories, evaluate programs and develop interventions because of their flexibility.

 Watch: Types of Research Methods 

With greetings: Al - Manara Consulting to help researchers and graduate students