RESEARCH METHOD- BSEE 3A IM NO.

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VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. Cite at least two examples of utilizing longitudinal survey and cross-sectional survey.

LONGITUDINAL SURVEY

Example 1: Identical twins

Consider a study conducted to understand the similarities or differences between identical twins who
are brought up together versus identical twins who were not. The study observes several variables, but
the constant is that all the participants have identical twins.

In this case, researchers would want to observe these participants from childhood to adulthood, to
understand how growing up in different environments influences traits, habits, and personality.

Over many years, researchers can see both sets of twins as they experience life without intervention.
Because the participants share the same genes, it is assumed that any differences are due to
environmental factors, but only an attentive study can conclude those assumptions.

Example 2: Violence and video games

A group of researchers is studying whether there is a link between violence and video game usage. They
collect a large sample of participants for the study. To reduce the amount of interference with their
natural habits, these individuals come from a population that already plays video games. The age group
is focused on teenagers (13-19 years old).

The researchers record how prone to violence participants in the sample are at the onset. It creates a
baseline for later comparisons.

Now the researchers will give a log to each participant to keep track of how much and how frequently
they play and how much time they spend playing video games. This study can go on for months or years.
During this time, the researcher can compare video game-playing behaviors with violent tendencies.
Thus, investigating whether there is a link between violence and video games.

Cross-sectional study

example 1: Gender and phone sales

Phone companies rely on advanced and innovative features to drive sales. Research by a phone
manufacturer throughout the target demographic market validates the expected adoption rate and
potential phone sales. In a cross-sectional study, researchers enroll men and women across regions, and
age ranges for research. If the results show that Asian women would not buy the phone because it is
bulky, the mobile phone company can tweak the design to make it less bulky. They can also develop and
market a smaller phone to appeal to a more inclusive group of women.
example 2: Men and cancer

Another example of a cross-sectional study would be a medical study examining the prevalence of
cancer amongst a defined population. The researcher can evaluate people of different ages, ethnicities,
geographical locations, and social backgrounds. If a significant number of men from a particular age
group are more prone to have the disease, the researcher can conduct further studies to understand its
reasons. A longitudinal study is best to use in this case, to study the same participants over time. 

2. Differentiate research methods from research methodology.

1. The research method is defined as the procedure or technique applied by the researcher to
undertake research. On the other hand, research methodology is a system of methods, used
scientifically for solving the research problem.

2. The research method is nothing but the behaviour or tool, employed in selecting and building
research technique. Conversely, research methodology implies the science of analysing, the
manner in which research is conducted appropriately.

3. The research method is concerned with carrying out experiment, test, surveys, interviews, etc.
As against this, research methodology is concerned with learning various techniques which can
be employed in the performance of experiment, test or survey.

4. Research method covers various investigation techniques. Unlike, research methodology, which
consists of complete approach aligned towards the attainment of purpose.

5. Research method intends to discover the solution to the problem at hand. In contrast, research
methodology aspires to apply appropriate procedures, with a view to ascertaining solutions.

3. Characterize the quantitative and qualitative methods of research.

Characteristics of qualitative research methods

Qualitative research methods usually collect data at the sight, where the participants are
experiencing issues or problems. These are real-time data and rarely bring the participants out of
the geographic locations to collect information.

Qualitative researchers typically gather multiple forms of data, such as interviews, observations, and
documents, rather than rely on a single data source.

This type of research method works towards solving complex issues by breaking down into
meaningful inferences, that is easily readable and understood by all.
CHARACTERISTIC OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHOD:

The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.

The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the population.

The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.

The researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are sought.

All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.

Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts, figures, or other non-
textual forms.

Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or investigate causal
relationships.

The researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to collect numerical data.

4. Discuss some important factors that researchers need in selecting research method.

Research methodology is a scientific and logical technique that helps you decide on an appropriate
research method to collect data. When you start your research, the first question that hits your mind is
“What type of research do I need to meet my research objectives?” Selecting a research methodology is
one of the most critical factors that can make or break your research project. Following are the factors
to be considered while deciding your research methodology:  

Research Goal

Think of your research goals. Consider what your research project wants to accomplish which will help
you to decide the research design. Do you need to find out all the information at one fell swoop, or you
want to conduct follow-up research? If you have an outline of the information that you need at the end
of the research project, you will be able to use the right methodology to choose the right research
method.  

Statistical significance

Another essential factor to consider while choosing the research methodology is statistical results. If you
need clear and highly data-driven research results or statistical answers, you will need quantitative data.
However, if your research questions are based on the understanding of reasons, opinions, perceptions
and motivations, your data will be less statistical and more thematic.

 
Quantitative vs qualitative data

Your research methodology will decide whether you need qualitative or quantitative or both methods. If
you want to capture insights into a problem to develop ideas for a solution, you will use qualitative data.
You will use qualitative tools such as open-ended interviews to collect data from the target audience.
However, if you have any questions, quantitative tools such as surveys can be the best approach to
achieve desired results.

Sample size

While considering a research methodology, the sample size is an important consideration. How big does
your sample size need to be to determine answers to research questions and meet research objectives?
Will you prefer surveying 50 or 1000 people? If you need a large sample size, you do not need time-
consuming methods such as face-to-face interviews.

Timing

The availability of time is another crucial factor that comes into play at the time of deciding on research
methodology. If you need results within the research frame, you might consider using tools and
techniques that allow data collection in just a few days. For instance, random or convenience sampling
can be your preferred data collection technique. However, if your prescribed data collection period is
relatively long, you can organize in-person interviews with your samples.  
RESEARCH METHOD- BSEE 3A IM NO. 03

VIII. ASSIGNMENT

1. Select and discuss 8 research methods from table below.

ETHNOGRAPHY- Ethnographic research is a qualitative method where researchers observe and/or

interact with a study’s participants in their real-life environment. Ethnography was popularized by
anthropology, but is used across a wide range of social sciences.

The aim of an ethnographic study within a usability project is to get ‘under the skin’ of a design problem
(and all its associated issues). It is hoped that by achieving this, a designer will be able to truly
understand the problem and therefore design a far better solution.

FEMINIST RESEARCH  is a means of conducting of scientific investigations and generating theory from an
explicitly feminist standpoint. Feminist methodologies are varied, but tend to have a few common aims
or characteristics, including seeking to overcome biases in research, bringing about social change,
displaying human diversity, and acknowledging the position of the researcher. Questioning normal
scientific reasoning is another form of the feminist method.

SEMIOTICS is the study of signs and symbols, including their processes and systems. It is an
important approach to communication research because it examines the association between
signs and their roles in how people create meanings on a daily basis. ... Such sign systems are
termed codes.
HISTORICAL ANALYSIS is a method of the examination of evidence in coming to an
understanding of the past. It is particularly applied to evidence contained in documents,
although it can be applied to all artefacts. The historian is, first, seeking to gain some certainty
as to the facts of the past.
GROUNDED THEORY is a well-known methodology employed in many research studies.
Qualitative and quantitative data generation techniques can be used in a grounded theory
study. Grounded theory sets out to discover or construct theory from data, systematically
obtained and analyzed using comparative analysis. While grounded theory is inherently flexible,
it is a complex methodology.
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS is a qualitative method of analysis, which explores the meanings
produced by language use and communication, the contexts and processes of these meanings
and practices caused by these meanings. Discourse analysis aims to perceive and categorize
various meaning-making processes, networks and practices from the data. Discourse analysis as
an analysis practice includes various starting points and discipline-specific applications. Some
variations stress, for example, coherent and strict analysis of language, conversation and
interaction.
META-ANALYSIS is a quantitative, formal, epidemiological study design used to systematically
assess the results of previous research to derive conclusions about that body of research.
Typically, but not necessarily, the study is based on randomized, controlled clinical trials.
DOCUMENT ANALYSIS is a form of qualitative research that uses a systematic procedure to
analyze documentary evidence and answer specific research questions. Similar to other
methods of analysis in qualitative research, document analysis requires repeated review,
examination, and interpretation of the data in order to gain meaning and empirical knowledge
of the construct being studied. Document analysis can be conducted as a stand-alone study or
as a component of a larger qualitative or mixed methods study, where it is often used to
triangulate findings gathered from another data source (e.g., interview or focus group
transcripts, observation, surveys).

2. List the research methodology you want to describe in your proposal and justify why it is the most
suitable method.

To fully carry out the research using quantitative research design, the researcher will be using
experimental method where it is a scientific approach where one or more independent variables are
manipulated and applied to one or more dependent variables to measure their effect on the latter. This
method will be used in order to test the possible outcome of the said SOP (Statement of the Problem).

3. Draft a two-paragraph write-up stating how the chosen research method will be utilized in your
proposed study.

The researcher will be conducting experimental method in order to test if the dried leaves of
mahogany tree can generate electricity. We, the researcher will be using trial 1, 2 and 3 to answer the
SOP where we must find the heat temperature produced or generate by the dried leaves of mahogany
when the incineration is done.