What is a research method?

Research method is the set of strategies, techniques, and processes to collect, analyz,e and uncover new information. The purpose of a research method is to understand a topic, find answers and share useful knowledge with the reader. 

Research is the backbone of every academic level. From writing an essay, a thesis, or an academic paper for publication, understanding the different types of research methods helps you rationalize your thoughts logically and well organized academic work.

Why are different research methods important for a student?

Research methodology is a structured framework used for raw data collection and analysis. The research methods types make the results of your study credible and trustworthy for the audience. Students use different kinds of research methods to explain their ideas and answer their research questions more clearly. 

For example, if a student interviews teachers or classmates to learn their opinions about school rules, it is primary research on the other hand, if a student looks at newspapers or government websites to find past statistics about pollution, it is secondary types of research methodology.

Each types of research methods offers unique ways to convert raw data into meaningful results, making it easier for you to explore problems from multiple angles. The correct types of research methods for every subject make your work more trustworthy, and help others understand your main argument of your clearly.

What are different kinds of research methods?

There are various types of research methods and each has its own strengths, limitations and usability. The selection from the different types of research methodology depends on your subject matter.

When choosing among different types of research methodology you must consider two important factors:

• How and what type of data will be collected?

Collect the required data using different forms of research methods like surveys, observations, or experiments.

• How to analyze data into meaningful results:

Analyse the obtained data using different types of analysis methods to understand the meaning and patterns of the data.

When selecting different types of research methods, one important element to consider is if your research will focus on numerical data or on the experiences of your chosen participants. According to the types of data collection and analysis, there are three different types of research methodology.

Qualitative forms of research methods:

Qualitative research is performed using non-numerical data such as opinions and emotions of the readers. Scholars use qualitative research when the goal of the study is to understand human behavior, culture or traditions. It is useful in social science studies.  

Common qualitative research methodology types include open-ended questions in surveys, observations of human behaviors stated verbally, and literature review of theories on the same topics.

Qualitative types of research methodology are used to study customer preferences, their buying behavior and market size of a specific product. It collects detailed information through open-ended and casual conversations. 

This method involves observing people’s emotions behind doing something. The researcher or interviewer hears what people say and tries to understand what drives people’s choices in their everyday life. You can read more about how we use qualitative research in social science, essay publication and research paper writing.

Qualitative Methodology Types of Research Methods

Document analysis:

In this method, researchers study pre-written material, such as archives, letters, policy papers, books, or guidelines. Researchers use these research methods types to find ideas and themes relevant to the research topic.

Participant Interviews

Interviews are informal conversations to gather details about a person’s personal experiences, beliefs, and motivations. The one-on-one interviews are divided into three types:

• Structured interviews (e.g., a questionnaire), 
• Open-ended questions (e.g., autobiographical interviews, or free conversations) or 
• Semi-structured interviews (e.g., interview guides)

Case Study Analysis

In a case study, a researcher focuses on a single event, organization, event, or group. It is one of the easiest ways of qualitative research. In this, a person carries out a depth study on an event by using multiple data sources i.e. any inquiries and interviews, to identify one unifying factor. This factor is usually a direct or indirect answer to the research question.

Focus Group:

Focus groups are a method of qualitative research methods performed using 6-10 individuals from a specific market. Researchers ask individuals questions about how and why scenarios. It works by gathering people with similar (or sometimes varied) expertise on a topic to share detailed insights and knowledge. The focus group is especially useful in product testing before releasing it into the market.

Observational Study:

Observational research methods types include the usage of sensory organs like touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing to analyze the characteristics and quality differences of a single or multiple entities.

Record Keeping: 

One of the different kinds of research methods is record keeping, which involves using pre-existing research materials. Instead of collecting new information, researchers examine trustworthy documents, such as academic articles, government reports, meeting notes, and historical records to form a strong foundation on a specific topic.

Among the different kinds of research methods it is low-cost, efficient, and appropriate for long-term projects. However, it also requires careful evaluation of the source’s reliability and relevance to ensure the information supports the research goals accurately.

Ethnographic types of method research:

Ethnographic types of research methodologies is one of the most detailed types of method research methodology, focusing on observing people in their real-life environments. Ethnographic types and methods of research place the researcher within a specific scenario to observe human behaviors and interactions directly.

As one of the different types of research methodology, ethnography is designed to explore cultural norms in different human societies. For carrying out this kinds of research methods  researchers live within the community for months or even years, to understand how people think, act, and communicate in their natural context.

This types of research methodologies do not rely heavily on interviews or surveys. Instead, the researcher gathers data through direct experience and interaction. It is particularly useful in anthropology, sociology, and cultural research, where understanding the full context of human behavior is important.

Out of different research methods, ethnographic research is time-consuming and demands strong observational and analytical skills. It can also be limited by geography, such as remote or hard-to-reach communities. Still, among the different types of research methodology, ethnography offers contextual insights that other types of method research might not capture.

Quantitative methodology types of research methods:

In quantitative types and methods of research numerical data is analyzed to predict the change in variables. This types of research methodologies is useful to test a hypothesis or theory developed for a topic. In quantitative research statistical research methods types are used to calculate means and averages to understand the obtained data.

In quantitative research types of method research, the first step is to identify a clear problem or area of interest and form a specific research question. From this, a hypothesis is created to guide the study. The researcher then chooses the best-suited research design by deciding on sample size, selecting participants, and identifying study locations, if needed. 

Among the several types of research methodologies, quantitative approaches make use of instruments, as big sample sizes, and measurable data.These types of method research focus on testing theories and finding patterns. 

During data collection, standardized methods are used to ensure accuracy and reliability. The following phase is data analysis, which uses statistical methods to investigate correlations and patterns. Finally, researchers present the findings to support or reject the original hypothesis. Choosing the right types and methods of research helps ensure your results are useful for academic or practical purposes.

Quantitative research methods types:

Primary types of research methodologies:

Primary quantitative research is one of the most common types of research methods used. What makes it different is that the researcher gathers fresh and first-hand data instead of using information already present in earlier studies. This method is ideal when you need accurate and real-time data. Within this form of research method, each has its own step-by-step process, depending on the study’s goals and the kind of data needed.

 1. Survey Research

Survey research is a key forms of research methods used in quantitative research studies. Researchers collect information by asking questions to a group of people chosen through random sampling. These surveys can be done in many ways, such as online surveys, paper forms, web-intercept surveys, or quick online polls. Many organizations use this method to find out what customers think about their products or services and how new features are performing in the market.

This approach can target either one or several groups.. Among the types of research methodologies, surveys are flexible and cost-effective, making them suitable for many kinds of projects.

Researchers usually use one of two survey approaches based on deadline and type of information that is supposed to be collected.

• Cross-sectional surveys:

Cross-sectional surveys are a type of quantitative research method used to study a specific group at one point in time. These surveys are ideal when you need to understand the characteristics of a population, such as age, location, or health status. 

Researchers utilize this strategy to compare variables among groups without altering the environment. It is one of the most commonly used different types of research methods in sectors like healthcare, retail, and small businesses. However, in this types of research methodologies you cannot track changes that occur over time or establish cause-and-effect relationships using the data.

• Longitudinal surveys:

On the other hand, longitudinal surveys are another important form of research methodology used to collect data over a longer period, ranging from weeks to years. This method helps researchers understand how the behaviors and opinions of people change over time. It is widely applied in medical studies, social sciences, and market research. It is ideal for identifying trends and long-term outcomes.

2. Descriptive Research

Descriptive research is another types of research methods in quantitative studies. It focuses on the current state of a measurable variable without any change. In this form of research, the hypothesis can be formed once enough data is collected. It helps you in answering questions like “what,” “when,” and “where” in your essay or research paper

Also, it does not explore the cause-and-effect relationship between variables. Descriptive research is helpful when researchers want to know about a population’s characteristics, behavior, or preferences.

You can use this type of approach in education and public health studies. Among different kinds of research methods, this one is best when your goal is to describe rather than analyze causes. The descriptive type of research methodology forms a solid base for other research types by offering structured and detailed data about a subject.

3. Correlational Research

Correlational forms of research methods are a widely used form of quantitative research to find a connection between two or more naturally occurring variables.

This is one of the important types and methods of research to find trends and relationships. In this types and methods of research help researchers discover whether an increase or decrease in one variable impacts the other.

For instance, a study may look at the link between exercise habits and blood sugar levels. This method is part of the broader classification of different types of research methodologies and is frequently used in psychology, health, and education.

Although it shows whether a relationship exists, it does not prove cause and effect. Researchers must be careful when interpreting the results. This kind of research method is useful when it’s difficult or unethical to perform experiments.

Using statistical techniques like Pearson’s correlation or regression analysis, the researcher can study the strength and direction of relationships. It is one of the essential types of method research for identifying relationships between different variables in real-world settings.

4. Causal-Comparative Research

Causal-comparative types of research methodology is also called ex post facto research. It focuses on identifying cause-and-effect relationships between a dependent and an independent variable. 

Among the different research methods, this one is ideal for situations where experimentation is not possible due to ethical constraints. This form of research method studies existing differences among groups to understand their causes. 

For example, it may examine why wage gaps exist between men and women in similar roles. The researcher observes already available data and draws conclusions based on comparisons. 

The obtained is then analysed using statistical tools such as t-tests or ANOVA to analyze the data. This methodology type of research method is used in fields like education, sociology, and business analytics.

5. Experimental Research Methods

Experimental research is one of the most structured and scientific types of research methods in quantitative studies. It determines cause-and-effect relationships between variables. In this method, the researcher deliberately changes one or more independent variables to observe the effect on the dependent ones.

Participants are randomly assigned to groups to ensure accuracy. Among all types of research methodologies, experimental design is considered the most reliable for testing a hypothesis. 

For example, researchers may test the effect of  medication by comparing results from a group that receives the drug to a group that doesn’t. This type of research method is conducted through a systematic process: setting a hypothesis, designing the experiment, collecting data, and analyzing results.

 It is widely used in natural sciences, social sciences, healthcare, and psychology. Unlike other forms of research methods, experimental research gives you direct control over variables. 

As part of different research methods and methodology types, experimental design is the most accurate. It is often referred to as the gold benchmark among all types of research methods.

Secondary kinds of research methods:

Secondary quantitative research, also known as desk research, uses existing numerical data to draw insights. Compared to different research methods, secondary quantitative research analyzes and summarizes pre-collected numerical data to support or challenge findings from primary studies. 

In this type of research method, researchers avoid fieldwork because data already exists. But they check that each source is reliable and relevant to their research topic. One of the benefits of secondary research is that researchers often integrate it into bigger studies, especially when time or data resources are limited. 

The different sources for secondary research data include:

Online and Digital Sources

• The Internet
  
• Online publications
  
• Government databases

Government and Institutional Sources

• Government and non-government organizations
  
• Educational institutions

Media and Commercial Outlets

• Newspapers
  
• Journals
  
• Radio
  
• Television

Library and Archival Resources

• Public libraries
  
• Academic journals
  
• Library archives

Mixed Types of Research Methods:

Mixed kinds of research methods approaches combines two different research methods i.e., quantitative and qualitative research in one study. This method helps gather both numerical data and descriptive insights on a research topic.

You can use it when one form of data is insufficient to properly address the research issue.  It is popular in disciplines like as health, social sciences, and behavioral research. By combining multiple kinds of research methodologies researchers obtain a better grasp of the issue.

For example, a survey may offer numerical data on consumer preferences (quantitative), whereas interviews may explain the rationale for such decisions. This method increases the validity and depth of the investigation.

Among the different types of research methods, mixed methods are valuable for enhancing data credibility in publication. Because in mixed research, researchers cross-check findings from both data sources to improve the clarity of the results.

To ensure top academic outcomes, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods is essential, especially in essay publication and research paper writing.

Comparing different types of research methods | What research methods types to use?

Researchers use different research methods depending on the purpose of the study. Choosing the right methodology types of research methods is very important if you want your research results to be accurate.

Here is the list of differences you can use to choose different types of research methods:

Different Research Methods | Bridging Theory and Application

Finally, knowing different research methods, as well as their applications, strengths, and limitations, allows you to select the best strategy for your research. Universal Paper Publication assists you in deciding between different research methods suitable for your needs.