METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH DESIGN

• Method

  Technique which the researcher uses to gather and generate data about the subjects of their study
• Methodology

  Section of the research paper which explains why the researcher chose to use particular methods, including descriptions of theoretical and/or ideological concepts informing the study and the researcher's rationale
• Research design

  Plan which structures a study to ensure the data collected will contain the information needed to answer the initial inquiry as fully and clearly as possible
• Main methods used in qualitative research

  • Individual interviews
  • Group interviews
  • Observations
  • Surveys and questionnaires
• Individual interviews

  Conversations designed to elicit the information the researcher needs, conducted rigorously, systematically, and transparently
• Group interviews

  Conducted with several participants simultaneously, may be more appropriate for community issues or shared experiences
• Observations

  Conducted to document and analyze behavior and social phenomena as they occur in their natural context, may identify discrepancies between what people say and what they do
• Surveys and questionnaires

  More often used in quantitative research, but may be designed for qualitative studies with open-ended questions
• Phenomenological design

  • Focuses on obtaining descriptions of subjects' lived experiences, analyzes the meaning behind these experiences rather than generalizing
  • Researcher must set aside their own feelings and expectations through bracketing
  • Uses unstructured or semi-structured data collection
  • Uses appropriate and systematic data analysis methods
  • Transparent research process
  • Uses first person perspective
  • Identifies the phenomenon, not just themes or categories
  • Collects data in groups
• Historical design

  • Focuses on identification, location, evaluation, and synthesis of data or evidence from the past to confirm or reject a hypothesis
  • Primary sources are first-hand information, secondary sources are second-hand information
  • Authenticity is the most valuable criterion, requiring internal and external criticism
• Case study design

  • Comprehensive, in-depth examination of a specific individual, group, or institution
  • May be quantitative or qualitative
  • Evaluated through content analysis
  • Time-consuming and costly
  • Uses multiple sources of data
  • May result in descriptions of themes and assertions
  • Clarifies cases and contexts
  • Can select and develop issues
• Grounded theory design

  • Systematic research approach using rigorous procedures to collect data, analyze it, and formulate a theory
  • Uses both inductive and deductive approaches to theory development
  • Constructs and concepts are grounded in the data, hypotheses are tested as they arise