Approaches and Types of Research

OUR GOALS (objectives based on DepEd's Practical Research Curriculum Guide)

• Explain the types and approaches of research
• Differentiate quantitative from qualitative research (CS_RS11-IIIa-4)
• Provide examples of research in areas of interest (CS_RS11-IIIa-5) 

Approaches of Research

DEDUCTIVE RESEARCH 

- develops hypotheses that are tested during the research process

- tests the validity of assumptions

INDUCTIVE RESEARCH 

starts with research questions and aims and objectives that need to be achieved during the research process

ABDUCTIVE RESEARCH 

deciding what the most likely inference is that can be made from a set of observations

SCIENTIFIC / POSITIVE APPROACH

• Measure information
• Observe and control variables
• Data are expressed through numbers
• Quantitative research

NATURALISTIC APPROACH

•  uses words
•  non-numerical data
•  based on people’s perceptions of the world
•  qualitative research 

TRIANGULATION APPROACH 

• Multiple Methods
• Combination of Research Approaches

TYPES OF RESEARCH

A. Based on Application of Research Method

1. Pure Research - Concepts, principles, and abstract things
2. APPLIED Research - Application to societal problems or issues

B. Based on Purpose of the Research

1. Descriptive Research -  depicts the participants through observation or case study
2. Correlational Research -  non-experimental research where two variables are measured and its statistical relationship is assessed
3. Exploratory Research -   gather preliminary information that will help define problems and suggest hypotheses
4. Action Research - an ongoing practice of an organization or institution to bring solutions and improvement

C. Based on Types of Data Needed

QUANTITATIVE  vs QUALITATIVE

1. Quantitative methods emphasize objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques. Quantitative research focuses on gathering numerical data and generalizing it across groups of people or to explain a particular phenomenon.

          Kinds of Quantitative Research

                1. Experimental 

                2. Quasi – experimental

                3. Correlational 

     2. Qualitative research is especially effective in obtaining culturally specific information about the values, opinions, behaviors, and social contexts of particular populations.

McMillan and Schumacher (2003) defined qualitative research as, “primarily an inductive process of organizing data into categories and identifying patterns (relationships) among categories.” This definition implies that data and meaning emerge “organically” from the research context. 

The general characteristics of qualitative research...

  Data sources are real-world situations

  Data are descriptive

  Data analysis is inductive

  Describes the meaning of research findings from the perspective of the research participants

What are the Strengths of qualitative? 

1. Use of open-ended questions and probing 
2. Allow the researcher the flexibility to probe initial participant responses
3. Exploratory Advantage - researcher can get an in-depth respons to make the study substantial
4. Open-ended questions have the ability to evoke responses that are:

• meaningful and culturally salient to the participant
• unanticipated by the researcher
• rich and explanatory in nature

Weakness/Issues in qualitative research

1. Gaining entry
2. Contacting participants
3. Selecting participants
4. Enhancing validity and reducing bias in qualitative studies
5. Leaving the field

TYPES OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

1. Case Study

2. Phenomenology

3. Ethnography

4. Grounded Theory

5. Biographical Study

6. Historical Analysis
7. Content and Discourse Analysis

References:
Practical Research 1 - Esther L. Baraceros