choice of method and research process: choice of research methods- practical factors

Question 1

time

Answer 1

some methods usually take more time e.g. participant observations

Question 2

finance

Answer 2

finance available affects the number of researchers, respondents and amount of research time

Question 3

why are some methods cheaper than others?

Answer 3

e.g. postal questionnaires - researchers don’t have to spend long periods of time talking to respondents or observing their behaviour

Question 4

source of funding

Answer 4

research sponsored by the government, businesses, voluntary organisations etc. reflect the concerns of those funding bodies - easier to get funding for quantitative research

Question 5

personal factors

Answer 5

researchers have careers, family commitments etc so they may not be able to do lengthy research in field

Question 6

research subjects

Answer 6

some groups are less open e.g. criminals, so structured may not be appropriate

Question 7

research opportunity

Answer 7

if a research opportunity suddenly appears, the researcher may have no time to prepare lengthy questionnaires or interview schedules

Question 8

personal danger

Answer 8

methods involving direct contact with a research group increase the possibility of danger to researchers