Choosing a research method

Question 1

Primary Data

Answer 1

Data collected by yourself

Question 1

Secondary Data

Answer 1

Data that already exists

Question 2

Quantitative Data

Answer 2

Statistical / numerical data

Question 3

Qualitative Data

Answer 3

Feelings / thoughts / interpretations

Question 4

Positivsts

Answer 4

Seek to discover cause and effect relationships using quantitative data

Question 5

Interpretivists

Answer 5

Seek to understand individual’s meanings using qualitative data

Question 6

Validity

Answer 6

Method producing a true or genuine picture of what something is really like

Question 7

Reliability

Answer 7

Method where when repeated by another researcher produces the exact same result

Question 8

Representative

Answer 8

Whether or not the people we study are the typical cross-section of group we are interested in

Question 9

Operationalising Concepts

Answer 9

Taking an abstract concept and turning it into something that can be measured

Question 10

What are the factors influencing choice of method?

Answer 10

P ractical
E thical
T heoretical

Question 11

What are the practical issues a researcher might face?

Answer 11

T ime
R esearch opportunity
A ccess
M oney
P ersonality and skills of researcher

Question 12

What are the ethical issues a researcher might face?

Answer 12

D eception
R ight to withdraw
I nvasion of privacy / anonymity
P rotection of vulnerable / consent

Question 13

What are the theoretical issues a researcher might face?

Answer 13

P ositivists
I nterpretivists
Q uantitative
Q ualitative