Research methods

This research resource is a "stub". Learn how you can help Wikiversity to develop it.

Research methods relate to how research is conducted, designed, analyzed, and disseminated.

## Critical thinking about research methods

[edit | edit source]

Why does thinking critically about research methods matter?

* What eight years of writing the Bad Science column have taught me: Pulling bad science apart is the best teaching gimmick I know for explaining how good science works, Ben Goldacre, Friday 4 November 2011

## Choosing amongst research strategies

[edit | edit source]

Based on Backstrom & Hursh-César (1981, p. 16)  Approach  | Helps You to Gather  | Advantages  | Disadvantages

|
|
|

Small-group study  |

* A lot about a little
* Early research
* Generate hypotheses

* Natural
* Unobtrusive
* High validity
* In-depth

* Unique
* Impressionistic
* Uncontrolled
* Low quantification

Survey |

* A timely generalization
* Test hypotheses
* Sub-group differences

* Generality
* Quantitative
* Timely
* Replicable

* Superficial
* Obtrusive
* Structured
* Self-reporting

Field experiment |

* Causes and effects
* Changes
* Time order

* Control
* Powerful conclusions
* Across time
* Highest qualifications

* Costly
* Time consuming
* Vulnerable
* Sensitizing

## Learning resources

[edit | edit source]

* Research methods in psychology
* Action research
* Survey research and design in psychology
* Statistical Analysis

## See also

[edit | edit source]

* Psychological research methods
* Research question
* Research process

| Search for Research methods on Wikipedia.

|

| Search for Category:research methods on Wikipedia.

|

## References

[edit | edit source]

1. Backstrom, C. H., & Hursh-César, G. (1981). Survey research (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.

## External links

[edit | edit source]

* Methodspace (A SAGE-supported research methods social/learning network)
* Online Statistics Education: An Interactive Multimedia Course of Study \- a Rice University connected online statistics course with sections on Research Design
* Statistics and Research Methodology Resources