- The types of research methods
- Quantitative method
- Qualitative method
- Inductive method
- Deductive method
- Analytical method
- Synthetic method
- Scientific method
- Comparative method
- References
Research methods are tools for collecting data, formulating and answering questions to reach conclusions through a systematic and theoretical analysis applied to a field of study.
The research includes a number of techniques that are very useful for sociologists, psychologists, historians, journalists, academics, scientists, writers, among other researchers.
Access to information requires in many cases exhaustive searches, using documentary and human sources through different capture methods and statistical measurement scales to evaluate results.
Research methods locate and delimit a problem, allow to collect important data to generate hypotheses that are later tested or supported. In this way you can make the most appropriate decisions for the case study.
The methodology to be used can include in many cases: interviews, surveys, demographic analysis, risks or threats, historical and contemporary data, publications, books and other avenues of research.
Using a variety of procedures, the investigation is stimulated to find the truth that has not been discovered so far or simply has not been defined or studied in depth to obtain reliable conclusions.
Although each investigation has defined purposes, a series of goals can be included in these searches: to reach new knowledge, to know the characteristics of a situation, group or person, to determine the frequency of an event or to test a hypothesis according to causes and variables, among others..
The types of research methods
The motivators of an investigation are important to know the path that will lead to the finding of answers by understanding the hypotheses thrown by deduction, observation or experimentation of the case.
Each research method to be used will depend on the characteristics of the situation to be studied and its requirements in order to then be able to select the procedure that best suits the objectives set out in the study.
Quantitative method
The intention of this method is to expose and find the expanded knowledge of a case using detailed data and theoretical principles.
It requires an understanding of human behavior and the why of it. In this method the object of study is considered external, separated from any individual thought to guarantee the greatest possible objectivity.
His research is normative, pointing to general laws related to the case study.
Data collection usually consists of objective tests, measuring instruments, statistics, tests, among others. It is divided into participatory, action and ethnographic research.
Qualitative method
It is based on the positivist and neopositivist principle and its objective is the study of quantitative values and phenomena to establish and strengthen a proposed theory.
It focuses on the subjective and individual from a humanistic perspective, through interpretation, observation, interviews and stories.
In this method mathematical models and theories related to situations are used. It is used regularly in the natural sciences, biology, physics, among others.
You may be interested Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Characteristics and Differences.
Inductive method
Induction example
Through this method, particular situations can be analyzed through an individual study of the facts that formulates general conclusions, which help to discover generalized themes and theories that start from the systematic observation of reality.
That is, it refers to the formulation of hypotheses based on the experience and observation of the study elements to define general laws. It consists of collecting data ordered in variables in search of regularities.
Deductive method
Example of deductive method
It refers to a method that starts from the general to focus on the specific through logical reasoning and hypotheses that can support final conclusions.
This process is based on the analysis previously proposed, laws and principles validated and proven to be applied to particular cases.
In this method, the entire research effort is based on the theories collected, not on what is observed or experienced; It starts from a premise to outline and conclude the study situation, deducing the path to take to implement the solutions.
You may be interested Inductive and Deductive Method: Characteristics and Differences.
Analytical method
It is in charge of breaking down the sections that make up the entire case to be studied, establishing the relationships of cause, effect and nature.
Based on the analyzes carried out, analogies and new theories can be generated to understand behaviors.
It develops in the understanding of the concrete to the abstract, decomposing the elements that constitute the general theory to study in greater depth each element separately and in this way know the nature of the study phenomenon to reveal its essence.
Synthetic method
Seeks the reconstruction of the dispersed components of an object or event to study them in depth and create a summary of each detail.
The process of this method is developed starting from the abstract to the concrete, to bring together each segment that makes up a unit and to be able to understand it.
Through reasoning and synthesis, the outstanding elements of the analysis are deepened in a methodical and concise way to achieve a thorough understanding of each part and particularity of what is studied.
You may be interested What is the analytical-synthetic method?
Scientific method
It offers a set of techniques and procedures for obtaining theoretical knowledge with validity and scientific verification through the use of reliable instruments that do not give rise to subjectivity.
Through some experiments, the ability to reproduce the same event is demonstrated by using the same mechanisms in different contexts triggered by different individuals.
This method has the ability to provide effective and proven answers on a case study.
It is considered one of the most useful procedures since it allows the explanation of phenomena in an objective way, which provides solutions to research problems and prompts to declare laws.
Its development is rigorous and clearly logical in an orderly manner with pure and complete principles seeking correction and improvement to conquer, order and understand the knowledge collected.
Comparative method
It is a process of searching for similarities and systematic comparisons that serves to verify hypotheses in order to find relationships and is based on the documentation of multiple cases to perform comparative analyzes.
It basically consists of placing two or more elements next to each other to find differences and relationships and thus be able to define a case or problem and be able to take measures in the future.
Using comparison is useful in understanding a topic as it can lead to new hypotheses or theories of growth and improvement.
It has several stages in which the observation, the description, the classification, the comparison itself and its conclusion stand out.
References
- Bisquerra, R. Classification of Research Methods. (1989). Recovered from: dip.una.edu.ve.
- Derek Garrison. Methods of Investigation. Source: nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu.
- CR Kothari. Research Methodology. (2004). Recovered from: modares.ac.ir.
- Investigation methods. Source: teach-ict.com.
- Martyn Shuttleworth. Different research methods. Source: explorable.com.
- Francisco Bijarro Hernández. Strategic Development for Scientific Research. Recovered from: eumed.net.