RESEARCH METHODS

Overview

Understanding research methods is important for gaining knowledge in good research. The various types of research designs include qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. The purpose of this paper is to describe the pros and cons of each of the three approaches to research. A critique of the social science research model will be conducted. Next, this paper will provide a basic philosophical dilemma that producers and consumers must simultaneously maintain an intellectual stance of both believing and doubting research. In addition, the basis of this paper will provide techniques for understanding the various methods.

Discussion

Research Methods
Qualitative. According to the Research Methods text, qualitative research methods are defined as methods that predict knowledge claims (Creswell, 2003). The methods that tend to apply to qualitative approaches include theoretical statements, and beneficial support. These strategies use phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study and narrative. Other characteristics of qualitative approaches include open-ended questions, focus groups, emerging approaches, and text or image data. Qualitative approaches add personal values into the study, context and setting of participants. Other ways of determining qualitative approaches focus on validation of the accuracy of its findings, by interpretations of data. Lastly, they create an agenda for change, reform and are able to collaborate with the participants.

Pros and Cons of qualitative research
Focus Groups. Another part of qualitative methods includes focus groups. A focus group may be defined as, “a group of individual selected and assembled by researchers to discuss and comment on, from personal experience, the topic that is the subject of the research” (Gibbs, 1997). There are positive methods for this type of research since it is used to assist in discovery or introduce the hypotheses. By using focus groups well-developed questions, concepts and guidelines are created. The pros and cons of the research are listed below:
1. Focus group research involves organized discussion with a selected group of individuals to gain information about their views and experiences of a topic.
2. Focus group interviewing is particularly suited for obtaining several perspectives about the same topic.
3. The benefits of focus group research include gaining insights into people’s shared understandings of everyday life and the ways in which others influence individuals in a group situation.
4. Problems arise when attempting to identify the individual view from the group view, as well as in the practical arrangements for conducting focus groups.
5. Focus groups are limited in terms of their ability to generalize findings to a whole population, mainly because of the small numbers of people participating and the likelihood that the participants will not be a representative sample (Gibbs, 1997).

Pros and Cons of quantitative research
Quantitative. According to research design study, quantitative research measures interactions between variables (Hopkins, 1998). The functions of variables are important in measuring various matters. Variables measure items in specific and minute detail (e.g. weight, height, age). Another common measuring tool includes surveys and experiments. Methods are employed through use of close-ended questions, predetermined approaches and numeric data. Some areas in which practices of research may use includes tests, theories, explanations, variable, hypotheses, reliability, and statistics.

Quantitative research methods focus on two types of designs to include descriptive and experimental (Hopkins, 1998). Descriptive designs are limited since they create only relations between variables. Descriptive designs are also called observational, since careful examination is used. With the use of descriptive designs, hundreds of samples are conducted for accuracy. Although this repetitious method has cons, there are also pros to this method. For instance, due to the large number of samples taken the results are less likely to provide bias information. Other characteristics of descriptive designs include cases, case series, cross-sectional, cohort, and longitudinal and case control studies. Experimental studies use repeated measures. They are also conducted with and without control groups, time series and crossover. Depending on the type of methods used to conduct research will determine whether to use descriptive or experimental.

Pros and Cons of mixed methods research
Mixed Methods. Mixed methods research integrates and collects quantitative and qualitative designs (Creswell, Fetters, & Ivankova, 2004). Mixed methods are unique since they focus on pragmatic knowledge claims, and they use strategies that are sequential, concurrent, and transformative. Other attributes about the approach include developing a rationale for mixing, integrating the data at different stages of inquiry, and the used of visual pictures. The mixed methods approach merges quantitative and qualitative data for a more complete examination. This approach is used when neither quantitative nor qualitative methods can be determined. The cons of using this method are that research has to be further broken down and various limitations exist.

Social science research model
The Layman’s guide to social research methods underlines the “basics of social research methods can, at times, feel as if one is walking a very fine line between complete comprehension and abysmal failure” (Colosi, 1997). The model contributes two important factors for conducting good research: reliability and validity. Reliability determines the accuracy of a measurement based on its repetitive tests. For instance, a test is proven reliable based on test, retest and consistent behavior. The more often something is tested with the same results the more reliable the research. The validity of measurement “is defined as the strength of our conclusions, inferences or propositions or the best approximation to the truth or falsity” (Colosi, 1997). The four types of validity in social research include conclusion, internal, construct and external validity. The cons that exist to validity include the threats to internal and construct validity. Threats to internal validity focus on three main problems: single group, multiple group and social interaction. Other problems that may exist include social threats to validity, which include hypothesis guessing, evaluator apprehension and experimenter expectancies.

Teaching Critical Thinking
Believing. A guide to understanding critical thinking includes the believing and doubting game. According to the article, “the believing game is the first step in a critical thinking process” (Shapiro, 2005). Educators and other peers often introduce the believing game to students. Simply the believing game sways the listener from a close-minded view, while allowing one to continually think and draw other conclusions. Next, the doubting game provides balance to the believing game. The doubting game focuses on the answer why and the importance of scrutinizing questions or theories.

The methods behind critical thinking provide good tools for understanding the basic philosophical dilemma that producers and consumers must maintain. By using the techniques to critical thinking student and educators take research a step further. It is highly important to evaluate and test research. Without critical thinking many answers in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research will be left undetermined.

Conclusion
All of the methods discussed are important in conducting and evaluating research. Good researchers will determine the type of methods used in the study, whether it is quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods procedures. Depending on the pros and cons of the research the person conducting the research will want to choose wisely. Moreover, the Layman’s guide to social research methods provides the basis for understanding reliability and validity. Both of these techniques are critical in determining accuracy. The method of choice will depend on the ability to logically and critically think on procedures suitable for the situation. In my opinion critical thinking provides the basis for conducting research, whether it is quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods research.


References

Colosi, L.A., (2005). The Layman’s guide to social research methods. Retrieved March 9,
2005 from http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/tutorial/Colosi/lcolosi2.htm


Creswell, J. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods
approaches. London. Sage publications.

Creswell, J.W, Fetters, M.D and Ivankova, N.V., (2004). Designing a mixed methods
study in primary care. Retrieved March 9, 2005 from http://ecourse.hpu.edu

Gibbs, A. (1997). Social research Update. Retrieved March 9, 2005 from
http://ecourse.hpu.edu

Hopkins, W.G., (1998). Quantitative research design. Retrieved March 9, 2005 from
http://ecourse.hpu.edu

Shapiro, A. (2005). Teaching Critical Thinking: The believing game and doubting game.
Retrieved March 9, 2005 from http://ecourse.hpu.edu