Do you find yourself unable to decide on an appropriate research method?
Research in psychology plays an essential role in the field that helps further develop our knowledge and understanding of human behavior, emotions, and cognitions. Three main research methodologies are used to gain insights and interventions. Each method has its disadvantages and advantages and helps address specific types of research questions.
Quantitative research: play with numbers
This research method is in the process of gathering and analysing numerical data. With the data and analysis being done, it helps to find patterns, comparisons, and test hypotheses. It involves the usage of structured tools like questionnaires, surveys, experiments, etc. By collecting numerical data, it enables the researcher to perform statistical analysis to find relationships and draw causal inferences. We have types under quantitative analysis: descriptive research, correlational research, experimental research, quasi-experimental research, longitudinal and cross-sectional research, survey, and meta-analysis.
Quantitative has strengths and limitations as well. Strengths are its ability to provide more objective and generalisable results. Large sample sizes can ensure better reliability of the findings. Additionally, this approach aids the researcher in identifying the direction and degree of correlations between variables. The limitation is that it restricts subjectivity because of its structured designs.
Qualitative research: Understand the depth
This method is quite opposite to the previous context. This is a methodology of research where non-numerical data are collected and analyzed. This focuses on and explores emotions, perceptions, and social interactions, making it a more subjective approach. It includes interviews, focus-group discussions, and descriptive data and enables the researcher to understand the "why” and “how” rather than “what” aspects of behavior. For intricate and sensitive topics that are difficult to quantify, qualitative research is useful. It provides an open-ended exploration and is flexible, which allows us to discover various concepts. Some of its limitations include a small sample size and subjective interpretation; it limits the generalizability of results.
Mixed-methods research: best from both extremes
This method is a mix of both research methods that combine the strengths and help to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological phenomena. It is an integrative approach, which helps us to cancel out the limitations present in both methodologies, making it more useful for the researcher. e.g., considering the generalizability aspect, a qualitative researcher can only collect data from a small number of people, whereas a quantitative has a larger sample size. This weakness gets mitigated. Mixed methods can provide both breadth and depth, and this blending enables more meaningful results. But it requires more time, resources, and complexity.
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