1. The document defines research methods as strategies used to collect and analyze data to better understand a topic or uncover new information. 2. Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistical analysis while qualitative research uses narrative descriptions. 3. The main purposes of research are exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory. Exploratory research explores new areas, descriptive research expands knowledge on current issues, and explanatory research examines the impact of changes. 4. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are discussed, including interviews, surveys, observation, and case studies for qualitative and surveys, descriptive, and correlational research for quantitative.

1. M R S A F I R K A S S I M . B
K A S S I M . S A F I R @ U N I V - M A S C A R A . D Z
M A I 2 0 2 0
An Introduction
to Research Methods

2. Introduction
“Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and
control the observed phenomenon. Research involves inductive and
deductive methods.” (Earl Robert Babbie).
So, research is about dealing with phenomena. Whether those
phenomena are psychological, social, linguistic, political or else.
Phenomena cannot be tackled unless we use our sixth sense:
observation.
Therefore, the first skill our students should learn is observation,
observation and nothing but observation using the scientific tools.
Observing implies seeing or watching something and thinking about
it.

3. Definitions
 Definition 1
 Research methods are the strategies, processes or
techniques utilized in the collection of data or
evidence for analysis in order to uncover new
information or create better understanding of a
topic. (https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/researchmethods)

4.  Definition 2
 A research method is a systematic plan for
conducting research. Sociologists draw on a variety
of both qualitative and quantitative research
methods, including experiments, survey research,
participant observation, and secondary data.
 (https://study.com/academy/lesson/research-methodology-approaches-techniques-quiz.html)

5.  Definition 3
 A particular way of studying something
in order to discover new information about it
or understand it better
(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/fr/dictionnaire/anglais/research-method)

6.  Definition 4
 Research methods is a broad term. While methods
of data collection and data analysis represent the
core of research methods, you have to address a
range of additional elements within the scope of your
research.(https://research-methodology.net/research-methods/)

7.  Definition 5
 Research methods are specific procedures for
collecting and analyzing data. Developing your
research methods is an integral part of your research
design. (https://www.scribbr.com/category/methodology/)

8. Types of research
 Applied research, also known as action research,
aims to find solution for immediate and specific
problem(s). Accordingly, findings of applied studies
are valuable on practical levels and can be applied to
address concrete problems.
 Fundamental research, on the other hand, aims to
contribute to the overall scope of knowledge in the
research area without immediate practical
implications. (https://research-methodology.net/research-methods/)

9. Research approach
 Research approach is another important element of
research methodology that directly effects the choice
of specific research methods.
 Research approach can be divided into
two, inductive and deductive categories. (ibid)

10. Research design
 Research design can be exploratory or conclusive.
 If you want merely explore the research problem and
you do not want to produce final and conclusive
evidences to the research problem, your research
design would be exploratory.
 Conclusive research design, on the contrary, aims to
provide final and conclusive answers to the research
question. Conclusive research be further divided into
two sub-categories. (ibid)

11. Data collection
methods
 There are two types of data – primary and
secondary.
 Primary data is a type of data which never existed
before, hence it was not previously published.
Primary data is collected for a specific purpose, i.e.
they are critically analyzed to find answers to
research question(s).
 Secondary data, on the other hand, refers to a type
of data that has been previously published in
journals, magazines, newspapers, books, online
portals and other sources. (ibid)

12. Differences
btw qualitative and quantitative research methods
 Firstly, the concepts in quantitative research
methods are usually expressed in the forms of
variables, while the concepts in qualitative research
methods are expressed in motives and
generalizations. (ibid)

13.  Secondly, quantitative research methods and
measures are usually universal, like formulas for
finding mean, median and mode for a set of data,
whereas, in qualitative research each research is
approached individually and individual measures are
developed to interpret the primary data taking into
account the unique characteristics of the research.
(ibid)

14.  Thirdly, data in quantitative research appears in the
forms of numbers and specific measurements and in
qualitative research data can be in forms of words,
images, transcripts, etc. (ibid)

15.  Fourthly, research findings in quantitative research
can be illustrated in the forms of tables, graphs and
pie-charts, whereas, research findings in qualitative
studies is usually presented in analysis by only using
words. (ibid)

16. Main differences (ibid)
Characteristic Quantitative research Qualitative research
Type of data
Phenomena are
described numerically
Phenomena are
described in a narrative
fashion
Analysis
Descriptive and inferential
statistics
Identification of major
schemes
Scope of inquiry
Specific questions or
hypotheses
Broad, thematic concerns
Primary advantage
Large sample, statistical
validity, accurately
reflects the population
Rich, in-depth, narrative
description of sample
Primary disadvantage
Superficial understanding
of participants’ thoughts
and feelings
Small sample, not
generalizable to the
population at large

17. Purposes
 Exploratory: As the name suggests, exploratory research is conducted
to explore a group of questions. The answers and analytics may not
offer a final conclusion to the perceived problem. It is conducted to
handle new problem areas which haven’t been explored before.
 Descriptive: focuses on expanding knowledge on current issues
through a process of data collection. Descriptive studies are used to
describe the behavior of a sample population. In a descriptive study,
only one variable is required to conduct the study.
 Explanatory:Explanatory or causal research is conducted to
understand the impact of certain changes in existing standard
procedures. Conducting experiments is the most popular form of casual
research. (https://www.questionpro.com/blog/what-is-research/)

18. Qualitative Research Methods
 One-to-one Interview: conducted with one participant. One-to-one interviews need a researcher to prepare
questions in advance. The researcher asks only the most important questions. During this time the researcher collects as
many meaningful answers as possible.
 Focus Groups: are small groups comprising of around 6-10 participants who are usually experts in the subject matter.
A moderator is assigned to a focus group. An experienced moderator can probe the participants by asking the correct
questions that will help them collect a sizable amount of information.
 Ethnographic Research: is an in-depth form of research where people are observed in their natural environment..
Instead of conducting interviews, a researcher experiences the normal setting and daily life of a group of people.
 Text Analysis: is a little different as it is used to analyze social constructs by decoding words through any available
form of documentation. The researcher studies and understands the context in which the documents are written and
then tries to draw meaningful inferences. You may use social media platform to try and understand patterns of
thoughts.
 Case Study: is used to study an organization or an entity. This type of research is used in fields like the education
sector, philosophical studies, and psychological studies. This method involves a deep dive into ongoing research and
collecting data. ( adapted from: https://www.questionpro.com/blog/what-is-research/)

19. Quantitative Research Methods
 Survey Research — used to learn about a large population by
deploying a survey. Today, online surveys are popular. In this
method, a researcher designs a survey with the most
relevant survey questions . Once the researcher receives
responses, they summarize / tabulate findings and data.
 Descriptive Research —is all about describing the
phenomenon, observing it, and drawing conclusions from it.
 Correlational Research— examines the relationship between
two or more variables. Consider a researcher is studying a
correlation between cancer and married women.
It’s about + vs. – correlation.

20. Activity
 Use an online survey research (classmates). Ask them this question: «
Do you communicate with your teachers during the covid 19 lockdown?
»
 Send me tha survey with the responses and interpretation if possible.
 NB: (Survey Research — used to learn about a large population by deploying
a survey. Today, online surveys are popular. In this method, a researcher
designs a survey with the most relevant survey questions . Once the researcher
receives responses, they summarize / tabulate findings and data.)

21. Bibliography
 Research Methods in Education Louis Cohen, Lawrence Manion, Keith
Morrison - 2013
 Research Methods and Methodologies in Education. James Arthur –
2012
 Research Methods in Psychology. Glynis M Breakwell, Sean
Hammond, Chris Fife-Schaw – 2006
 Research Methods in English.M.P. Sinha - 2004