What is research methodology?

Research methodology is a way of explaining how a researcher intends to carry

out their research. It's a logical, systematic plan to resolve a research problem. A
methodology details a researcher's approach to the research to ensure reliable,
valid results that address their aims and objectives. It encompasses what data
they're going to collect and where from, as well as how it's being collected and
analyzed.

Why is a research methodology important?

A research methodology gives research legitimacy and provides scientifically

sound findings. It also provides a detailed plan that helps to keep researchers on
track, making the process smooth, effective and manageable. A researcher's
methodology allows the reader to understand the approach and methods used to
reach conclusions.

Having a sound research methodology in place provides the following benefits:

 Other researchers who want to replicate the research have enough

information to do so.
 Researchers who receive criticism can refer to the methodology and
explain their approach.
 It can help provide researchers with a specific plan to follow throughout
their research.
 The methodology design process helps researchers select the correct
methods for the objectives.
 It allows researchers to document what they intend to achieve with the
research from the outset.

Types of research methodology

When designing a research methodology, a researcher has several decisions to

make. One of the most important is which data methodology to use, qualitative,
quantitative or a combination of the two. No matter the type of research, the
data gathered will be as numbers or descriptions, and researchers can choose to
focus on collecting words, numbers or both.

Here are the different methodologies and their applications:

Qualitative

Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing written or spoken words

and textual data. It may also focus on body language or visual elements and
help to create a detailed description of a researcher's observations. Researchers
usually gather qualitative data through interviews, observation and focus groups
using a few carefully chosen participants.

This research methodology is subjective and more time-consuming than using

quantitative data. Researchers often use a qualitative methodology when the
aims and objectives of the research are exploratory. For example, when they
perform research to understand human perceptions regarding an event, person
or product.

Quantitative

Researchers usually use a quantitative methodology when the objective of the

research is to confirm something. It focuses on collecting, testing and measuring
numerical data, usually from a large sample of participants. They then analyze
the data using statistical analysis and comparisons. Popular methods used to
gather quantitative data are:

 Surveys
 Questionnaires
 Test
 Databases
 Organizational records

This research methodology is objective and is often quicker as researchers use

software programs when analyzing the data. An example of how researchers
could use a quantitative methodology is to measure the relationship between
two variables or test a set of hypotheses.

Mixed-method

This contemporary research methodology combines quantitative and qualitative

approaches to provide additional perspectives, create a richer picture and
present multiple findings. The quantitative methodology provides definitive
facts and figures, while the qualitative provides a human aspect. This
methodology can produce interesting results as it presents exact data while also
being exploratory.

Types of sampling design in research methodology

When creating a sample design, a researcher decides from who or what they'll
collect data. They also choose the techniques and procedures they'll use to select
items or individuals for the sample. There are several types of sample design
that fall into two main categories:
Probability sampling

This sampling method uses a random sample from the pool of people or items
you're interested in, called the population, and is random or chance sampling.
Every person or item in the population has an equal chance of being selected.
Using this method is the best way to get a truly representative sample, and
researchers can generalize the study's results to the entire population.

Nonprobability sampling

Nonprobability sampling is not random, as the researcher deliberately selects

people or items for the sample. Researchers also refer to this method as
deliberate sampling, judgment sampling or purposive sampling. Every person or
item in the population doesn't have an equal chance of being selected, and the
results are typically not generalizable to the entire population.

Common data collection methods

Once a researcher has finalized their population sample, they need to decide
how to collect data. There are several options for data collection, and the best
research method to use will depend on the research topic, methodology, type of
data and the population sample.

Although there are many ways to collect data, people often broadly group them
in these ways:

 Interviews: Researchers can carry out interviews in a structured, semi-

structured, or unstructured format, depending on how formal the
questions are.
 Surveys: Surveys can be online or in-person and have either free-answer,
essay-style questions, or closed, multiple-choice style questions.
Depending on the data required, a survey could also use a mixture.
 Focus groups: Focus groups have interviewees give their thoughts,
opinions, perspectives and perceptions on specific topics. A moderator
usually leads the group to help guide the discussion and ensure everyone
has a chance to share their thoughts.
 Observations: Direct observation involves observing the spontaneous
behavior of participants without interference from the researcher, while
participant observation is more structured, and the researcher interacts
with the participants.
 Documents and records: Researchers collect data such as published
reports and official documents of international bodies, government
 agencies or private institutes and internal records such as employees'
payroll, raw material quantities and cash receipts.

Common data analysis methods

Researchers use different data analysis methods depending on whether the data
is qualitative or quantitative. For example:

Qualitative data analysis

Qualitative data is usually in spoken or written information, such as interview

transcripts, video and audio recordings, notes, images and text documents.
Qualitative data analysis involves identifying common patterns in participants'
responses and critically analyzing them to achieve research aims and objectives.

The most commonly used qualitative data analysis methods are:

 Content analysis: This is one of the most common methods used to

analyze documented information and is usually used to analyze
interviewees' responses.
 Narrative analysis: Researchers use this method to analyze content from
several sources, including interviews, observations and surveys. It
focuses on using people's stories and experiences to answer research
questions.
 Discourse analysis: This method analyzes spoken or written language in
its social context and aims to understand how people use language in day-
to-day situations.
 Grounded theory: This method uses qualitative data to discover or
construct a theory explaining why something happened. It uses a
comparative analysis of data from similar cases in different settings to
derive explanations.

Quantitative data analysis

Quantitative data analysis involves turning numbers into meaningful data by

applying rational and critical thinking. Most researchers use analytical software
to assist with quantitative data analysis. The first stage in analyzing quantitative
data is validating, editing and coding the data. Once completed, the data is ready
for analysis.

The most commonly used quantitative data analysis methods are:

  Descriptive analysis: This method uses descriptive statistics like mean,
median, mode, percentage, frequency and range to find patterns.
 Inferential analysis: This method shows the relationships between
multiple variables using correlation, regression and variance analysis.

Factors to consider when choosing a research methodology

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a research methodology:

 The research objective: Consider the research project objective. When

researchers know what information they require at the end of the project
to meet their objectives, it helps them select the correct methodology and
research method.
 Significance of statistics: Another factor to consider is whether you
require concise, data-driven research results and statistical answers. Or
whether the research questions require an understanding of reasons,
perceptions, opinions and motivations.
 Nature of the research: If the aims and objectives are exploratory, the
research will probably require qualitative data collection methods.
However, if the aims and objectives are to measure or test something, the
research will require quantitative data collection methods.
 Sample size: How big does the sample need to be to answer the research
questions and meet the objectives? The sample size can determine your
data-gathering methods, such as whether to use in-person interviews or
smaller samples or online surveys for larger ones.
 Time available: If there are time constraints, consider techniques like
random or convenience sampling and tools that allow for data collection
in a few days. If there's more time available for data collection, in-person
interviews and observations are possible.

Difference between methodology and methods

Research methods are individual tools, techniques, or behaviors a researcher
uses to collect information. A research methodology is a specific way of
conducting research that may incorporate multiple research methods. It details
the what, where and how of data collection and analysis.

Thesis Format
What is a Thesis and a Dissertation?

A thesis is an academic piece that is meant to include a viewpoint of your

findings on the topic you’ve chosen. It is about 100-150 pages and is supposed
to be submitted during the completion of your graduate program to mark an end
to your study. While a dissertation is an independent work of research that
requires you to demonstrate your research and come to a conclusion. It has no
specific length but depending on the course you may be required to not exceed
the 60,000 – 80,000 world limit. A dissertation is supposed to be written during
your doctoral program. Your dissertation is a contribution to the respective field
of your study.

Thesis Writing Format: How to Structure a Thesis?

The format of a Thesis is one of the key similarities that a thesis and a
dissertation have. Mentioned below are the structures:

Front Matter

 Title – The candidate’s department usually gives a standard title page

form which everyone is requied to follow. Usually, the title should be
informative, consists important keywords, and adequately exhibit the
topic of the thesis.
 Abstract – The adequate section briefly describes the research problem,
alongwith the right methodology that will be used, and what are the key
results at the end of the project.
 Tabel of Contents – Here the stduent is required to list all the key subject
headings and subheadings that are being use din the thesis along witht he
accurate page numbers.
 List of Figures – This is a list of all the figure numbers, figure titles, and
page numbers mentioned in the thesis.
 List of Tables – The table list contains all the mentioned table numbers,
table titles, and page numbers that is included in the thesis.
 Nomenclature – Usually we end of using a lot of unfamiliar symbols and
numbers that may not be understandable to everyone, hence, a
nomenclature is included where we list all the unfamiliar terms, symbols,
acronyms, and their meanings.

Body

 Introduction – Usually the introduction part of the thesis is divided into

the following sub categories:
1. Background
2. Problem
3. Statement of Purpose/Aim/Research Questions
 Theory – Usually the student is required to add a theory section if they
have developed a theoretical basis for the research topic that includes any
governing equations.
  Methodology – In this section of the thesis the writer list and describes
the key materials and apparatus that were used in the thesis. After
mentioning them, the procedure is described briefly with enough details
so that it can be utilized by other readers for future research projects.
 Results – The results are presented after the above topics with the
accurate information accompanied by the tables and graphs for further
understanding.
 Significance/Implications (Results of the Discussion) – After
presenting the results, the significance of it is emphasized for further
discussions and what are the topics that has emerged from the following
research for further exploration.
 Overview of Chapter (Conclusion) – This section reviews the results
and states clearly what their significance is in the field of the particular
subject. The writer also utilizes this section to comparatively analyse the
result in the theoretical expectation what are their opinions after the end
of the research.

End Matter

 Acknowledgements – This section mentions all the advisors, sponsors,

funding agencies, colleagues, technicians who assisted the researchers to
carry out the entire project.
 Appendixes – Appendixes are list of information that provides detailed
calculations, procedures, data for the entire project.
 Bibliography – This section consists of all the referred works in your
project. Usually the structure of the bibliography is given by the
department and the writer must follow the exact style recommended byt
them.

A typical thesis structure

1. Abstract

The abstract is the overview of your thesis and generally very short. This
section should highlight the main contents of your thesis “at a glance” so that
someone who is curious about your work can get the gist quickly. Take a look
at our guide on how to write an abstract for more info.
Tip: Consider writing your abstract last, after you’ve written everything else.
2. Introduction

The introduction to your thesis gives an overview of its basics or main points.
It should answer the following questions:
 Why is the topic being studied?

 How is the topic being studied?

 What is being studied?

In answering the first question, you should know what your personal interest
in this topic is and why it is relevant. Why does it matter?
To answer the "how", you should briefly explain how you are going to reach
your research goal. Some prefer to answer that question in the methods
chapter, but you can give a quick overview here.
And finally, you should explain "what" you are studying. You can also give
background information here.
You should rewrite the introduction one last time when the writing is done to
make sure it connects with your conclusion. Learn more about how to write a
good thesis introduction in our thesis introduction guide .

3. Literature review

A literature review is often part of the introduction, but it can be a separate

section. It is an evaluation of previous research on the topic showing that
there are gaps that your research will attempt to fill. A few tips for your
literature review:
 Use a wide array of sources

 Show both sides of the coin

 Make sure to cover the classics in your field

 Present everything in a clear and structured manner

For more insights on lit reviews, take a look at our guide on how to write a
literature review.
4. Methods

The methodology chapter outlines which methods you choose to gather data,
how the data is analyzed and justifies why you chose that methodology. It
shows how your choice of design and research methods is suited to answering
your research question.
Make sure to also explain what the pitfalls of your approach are and how you
have tried to mitigate them. Discussing where your study might come up short
can give you more credibility, since it shows the reader that you are aware of
its limitations.

5. Results

Tip: Use graphs and tables, where appropriate, to visualize your results.
The results chapter outlines what you found out in relation to your research
questions or hypotheses. It generally contains the facts of your research and
does not include a lot of analysis, because that happens mostly in the
discussion chapter.
Clearly visualize your results, using tables and graphs, especially when
summarizing, and be consistent in your way of reporting. This means sticking
to one format to help the reader evaluate and compare the data.

6. Discussion

The discussion chapter includes your own analysis and interpretation of the
data you gathered, comments on your results and explains what they mean.
This is your opportunity to show that you have understood your findings and
their significance.
Point out the limitations of your study, provide explanations for unexpected
results, and note any questions that remain unanswered.
7. Conclusion

This is probably your most important chapter. This is where you highlight that
your research objectives have been achieved. You can also reiterate any
limitations to your study and make suggestions for future research.
Remember to check if you have really answered all your research questions
and hypotheses in this chapter. Your thesis should be tied up nicely in the
conclusion and show clearly what you did, what results you got, and what you
learned.
Research Techniques – Methods, Types and Examples

Research Techniques
Definition:
Research techniques refer to the various methods, processes, and tools used to
collect, analyze, and interpret data for the purpose of answering research
questions or testing hypotheses.

Methods of Research Techniques

The methods of research techniques refer to the overall approaches or
frameworks that guide a research study, including the theoretical perspective,
research design, sampling strategy, data collection and analysis techniques, and
ethical considerations. Some common methods of research techniques are:

 Quantitative research: This is a research method that focuses on

collecting and analyzing numerical data to establish patterns,
relationships, and cause-and-effect relationships. Examples of
quantitative research techniques are surveys, experiments, and
statistical analysis.
 Qualitative research: This is a research method that focuses on
collecting and analyzing non-numerical data, such as text, images,
and videos, to gain insights into the subjective experiences and
perspectives of the participants. Examples of qualitative research
techniques are interviews, focus groups, and content analysis.
 Mixed-methods research: This is a research method that combines
quantitative and qualitative research techniques to provide a more
comprehensive understanding of a research question. Examples of
mixed-methods research techniques are surveys with open-ended
questions and case studies with statistical analysis.
 Action research: This is a research method that focuses on solving
real-world problems by collaborating with stakeholders and using a
 cyclical process of planning, action, and reflection. Examples of
action research techniques are participatory action research and
community-based participatory research.
 Experimental research: This is a research method that involves
manipulating one or more variables to observe the effect on an
outcome, to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Examples of
experimental research techniques are randomized controlled trials and
quasi-experimental designs.
 Observational research: This is a research method that involves
observing and recording behavior or phenomena in natural settings to
gain insights into the subject of study. Examples of observational
research techniques are naturalistic observation and structured
observation.
Types of Research Techniques
There are several types of research techniques used in various fields. Some of
the most common ones are:

 Surveys: This is a quantitative research technique that involves

collecting data through questionnaires or interviews to gather
information from a large group of people.
 Experiments: This is a scientific research technique that involves
manipulating one or more variables to observe the effect on an
outcome, to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
 Case studies: This is a qualitative research technique that involves
in-depth analysis of a single case, such as an individual, group, or
event, to understand the complexities of the case.
 Observational studies: This is a research technique that involves
observing and recording behavior or phenomena in natural settings to
gain insights into the subject of study.
 Content analysis: This is a research technique used to analyze text or
other media content to identify patterns, themes, or meanings.
 Focus groups: This is a research technique that involves gathering a
small group of people to discuss a topic or issue and provide feedback
on a product or service.
 Meta-analysis: This is a statistical research technique that involves
combining data from multiple studies to assess the overall effect of a
treatment or intervention.
 Action research: This is a research technique used to solve real-
world problems by collaborating with stakeholders and using a
cyclical process of planning, action, and reflection.
 Interviews: Interviews are another technique used in research, and
they can be conducted in person or over the phone. They are often
 used to gather in-depth information about an individual’s experiences
or opinions. For example, a researcher might conduct interviews with
cancer patients to learn more about their experiences with treatment.
Example of Research Techniques
 Literature review: The student could conduct a literature review to
gather existing research studies, articles, and books that discuss the
relationship between social media and mental health. This will
provide a foundation of knowledge on the topic and help the student
identify gaps in the research that they could address.
 Surveys: The student could design and distribute a survey to gather
information from a sample of individuals about their social media
usage and how it affects their mental health. The survey could include
questions about the frequency of social media use, the types of
content consumed, and how it makes them feel.
 Interviews: The student could conduct interviews with individuals
who have experienced mental health issues and ask them about their
social media use, and how it has impacted their mental health. This
could provide a more in-depth understanding of how social media
affects people on an individual level.
 Data analysis: The student could use statistical software to analyze
the data collected from the surveys and interviews. This would allow
them to identify patterns and relationships between social media
usage and mental health outcomes.
 Report writing: Based on the findings from their research, the
student could write a report that summarizes their research methods,
findings, and conclusions. They could present their report to their
peers or their teacher to share their insights on the topic.
Purpose of Research Techniques
The Purposes of Research Techniques are as follows:

 To investigate and gain knowledge about a particular phenomenon or

topic
 To generate new ideas and theories
 To test existing theories and hypotheses
 To identify and evaluate potential solutions to problems
 To gather data and evidence to inform decision-making
 To identify trends and patterns in data
 To explore cause-and-effect relationships between variables
 To develop and refine measurement tools and methodologies
 To establish the reliability and validity of research findings
 To communicate research findings to others in a clear and concise
manner.
Effective Search Techniques

When searching for materials in electronic resources and databases, it's a good
idea to use effective searching techniques to get the most out of your time and
efforts. You don't want to waste your time gathering a bunch of irrelevant
information that you can't use in your paper. Use these search strategies to help
you find useful information quickly and effectively. Find out more about these
techniques on the following pages.
Keyword Searching
Use a keyword search to search all parts of a source for the words you enter in
the search box. This type of searching uses "natural language" and is one you're
probably already familiar with--you simply enter words or phrases into a search
box that you think are relevant to your topic. Click on the "Keyword Searching"
page for more information.
Boolean Searching
Boolean searching is a search technique which uses Boolean operators to help
bring back search results faster and with more precision. The most common
Boolean operators are AND, OR, and NOT. These are logic-based words that
help search engines narrow down or broaden search results. Click on the
"Boolean Searching" page for more information.
Subject Searching
Within a database or online catalog, subject searching allows you to search by
categories, which are found in the subject field of an item record. Subject terms
are pre-defined and used for all items within a database or source that relate to
that term. Click on the "Subject Searching" page for more information.
Limiters
Many databases allow users to limit their search results by certain criteria.
These options are often located somewhere on the database search page or
results list as drop down menus or check boxes. Some common and useful
limiters include date of publication, material type, full text, and more. Click on
the "Limiters" page for more information.
Phrase Searching
When you search for a phrase like corporate social responsibility the search
engine will bring back any results that have those words in them. However, if
you put quotation marks around the phrase, "corporate social responsibility", the
search engine will only bring back results that have all those words, exactly in
the order you have them. This can also be useful when you're searching for the
title of a book or other resource. Click on the "Phrase Searching" page for more
information.
Using References/Works Cited Lists
Another good search tip is to let one good book or article lead you to others.
Scholarly publications almost always have bibliographies or lists of works cited.
These are lists of the resources the author used to write the book or article
you've found. Explore these! If the original source is useful to you, works used
by the author may be valuable, too. Click on the "Using References/Works
Cited Lists" page for more information.
Measuring Your Impact: Impact Factor, Citation Analysis, and other
Metrics: Journal Impact Factor (IF)
Impact Factor - What is it?; Why use it?
The impact factor (IF) is a measure of the frequency with which the average
article in a journal has been cited in a particular year. It is used to measure the
importance or rank of a journal by calculating the times its articles are cited.
How Impact Factor is Calculated?
The calculation is based on a two-year period and involves dividing the number
of times articles were cited by the number of articles that are citable.

Calculation of 2010 IF of a journal:

A = the number of times articles published in 2008 and 2009 were cited by
indexed journals during 2010.
B = the total number of "citable items" published in 2008 and 2009.

A/B = 2010 impact factor

The Impact Factor is reported in Journal Citation Reports (JCR)
CiteScore, which is similar to the IF but is based on a 4-year period.
Tools to Measure Journal Impact (Impact Factor)
 Journal Citation Reports (Learn more)
 SJR, CiteScore, SNIP through Scopus (learn more)
 SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) (Learn more)
 SNIP (Learn more)
Journal Citation Reports
Journal Citation Reports provides ranking for journals in the areas of science,
technology, and social sciences. For every journal covered, the following
information is collected or calculated: Citation and article counts, Impact factor,
Immediacy index, Cited half-life, citing half-life, Source data listing, Citing
journal listing, Cited journal listing, Subject categories, Publisher information.

 Limited to the citation data of Journals indexed in Web of Science

 Process to determine journals included in the tool
  Indexes over 12,000 journals in arts, humanities, sciences, and social
sciences
You can enter a journal title in the Search box under "Go to Journal Profile".
Because impact factors mean little on their own, it's best to view the journal you
are interested in comparison to the other journals in the same category. To
determine the impact factor for a particular journal, select a JCR edition
(Science and/ or Social Science), year, and Categories, found on the left of the
screen. Click Submit. Scroll the list to find the journal you are interested in.
The list can be resorted by Journal time, Cites, Impact Factor, and Eigenfactor.
Scopus (Elsevier)
Scopus provides three journal metrics - CiteScore, SJR (SCImago Journal
Rank) and SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper). Once you are in
Scopus, click on "Sources" at the top to access the journal impact data. See
below for more on SJR and SNIP
 Over 22,000 active journals from over 4,000 international publishers
 Process to determine journals included in the tools
SCImago Journal Rank (SJR)
“The SCImago Journal & Country Rank is a portal that includes the journals
and country scientific indicators developed from the information contained in
the Scopus® database (Elsevier B.V.).” Scopus contains more than 15,000
journals from over 4,000 international publishers as well as over 1000 open
access journals. SCImago's "evaluation of scholarly journals is to assign
weights to bibliographic citations based on the importance of the journals that
issued them, so that citations issued by more important journals will be more
valuable than those issued by less important ones." (SJR indicator)
SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper)
Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) measures contextual citation
impact by weighting citations based on the total number of citations in a subject
field. The impact of a single citation is given higher value in subject areas
where citations are less likely, and vice versa. Unlike the well-known journal
impact factor, SNIP corrects for differences in citation practices between
scientific fields, thereby allowing for more accurate between-field comparisons
of citation impact. CWTS Journal Indicators also provides stability intervals
that indicate the reliability of the SNIP value of a journal. SNIP was created by
Professor Henk F. Moed at Centre for Science and Technology Studies
(CWTS), University of L

CWTS Journal Indicators currently provides four indicators:

 P. The number of publications of a source in the past three years.
 IPP. The impact per publication, calculated as the number of citations
given in the present year to publications in the past three years divided by
the total number of publications in the past three years. IPP is fairly
 similar to the well-known journal impact factor. Like the journal impact
factor, IPP does not correct for differences in citation practices between
scientific fields. IPP was previously known as RIP (raw impact per
publication).
 SNIP. The source normalized impact per publication, calculated as the
number of citations given in the present year to publications in the past
three years divided by the total number of publications in the past three
years. The difference with IPP is that in the case of SNIP citations are
normalized in order to correct for differences in citation practices
between scientific fields. Essentially, the longer the reference list of a
citing publication, the lower the value of a citation originating from that
publication. A detailed explanation is offered in our scientific paper.
 % self cit. The percentage of self citations of a source, calculated as the
percentage of all citations given in the present year to publications in the
past three years that originate from the source itself.

Types of Research

 Applied Research
 Basic Research
 Correlational Research
 Descriptive Research
 Ethnographic Research
 Experimental Research
 Exploratory Research
 Grounded Theory
 Historical Research
 Phenomenological Research
 Qualitative Research
 Quantitative Research

Applied Research

It is a scientific study that seek to solve various practical problems in the day
to day life. It find answers or solutions to everyday problems, cure illness,
develop innovative technologies etc.

For example-

1. Improve agricultural crop production

 2. Treat or cure specific disease
3. Improve energy efficiency of homes, offices, modes of
transportation [1] [2]

Basic Research

It is called as Fundamental or Pure research. It Expands the person's

knowledge. This type of research is not going to create or invent anything
new. Instead, it is based on Basic science investigation.

For example-

1. How did universe begin?

2. What are protons? [1][2]

Correlational Research

The relationship among 2 or more variables without necessarily determining

the cause and effect is known as correlational research.

For example-

1. Correlation between obesity and diabetes mellitus

2. Correlation between smoking and cancer [1][2]

Advantages-

1. It is easy to collect much information from many subjects at single

time.
2. Wide range of variables and their interrelations.
3. Study variables are not easily produced in the laboratory.

Disadvantages-

1. Does not indicate causation (cause and effect)

2. Problems with self reporting method. [1]
Descriptive Research

This type of research provides accurate portrayal of characteristics of a

particular individual, situation or group. Also known as statistical research.
It deals with everything that can be counted and studied which have an
impact on the lives of people.

Advantages-

1. Less expensive, time consuming

2. Collect a large amount of notes for detailed studying.

Disadvantages-

1. Require more skills

[2] [1]
2. Does not identify cause behind the research.

Ethnographic Research

This type of research involves investigation of a culture through an in-depth

study of members of culture. It involves systematic collection, description,
analysis of data for development of theories of cultural behavior. There are
anthropological studies that studies people, ethnic group, ethnic formations
and social welfare characteristics. It is done on the basis of observations,
interviews, questionnaire and data collection. [2]

Experimental Research

This study involves objective, systematic, controlled investigation for

purpose of predicting and controlling the phenomena. It also includes
examining the probability and causality among variables.

Advantages-

1. Best in establishing the cause and effect relationships

Disadvantages-

1. Artificiality
 2. Feasibility
3. Unethical

Variables-

[1]
There will be two variables- Dependent and Independent

Exploratory Research

This type of research will be conducted for a problem that has not been
clearly defined. It helps to determine the best research design, data
collection method and selection of subjects. It is quite informal relying on
the secondary research.

For Example-

[1] [2]
Online marketing and exploring through different sites

Ground Theory Research

It studies about the problems existing in a given social environment and how
people involved handles them. It operates almost in a reverse fashion from
traditional research and involves 4 stages- Codes, Concepts, Categories and
Theory

For Example-

Creating a situation and looking at how people react to it [2]

Historical Research

Research involving analysis of events that occurred in the remote or recent

past.

Application- Understanding this can add perspective on how we can examine

the current situation. [1]
Phenomenological Research

It aim to describe an experience that has been actually lived by a person.

For example-

A person suffering from cancer, quality of life of the patient at that point of
time. [1][2]

Quantitative Research

Involving numbers and quantifying the results mathematically in

numbers. [1] For more information, click in the Quantitative Research page.

Qualitative Research

Difficult or impossible to quantify mathematically such as beliefs, meanings,

attributes and symbols. It aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human
behavior.