Research Methods

1. Field Research

Field Research is a method of collecting qualitative data with the aim to understand, observe, and
interact with people in their natural setting. It requires specialized market research tools. The
goal is to understand how a subject behaves in a specific setting to identify how different
variables in this setting may be interacting with the subject. Field research is used most in the
field of social science, such as anthropology and health care professions, as in these fields it is
vital to create a bridge between theory and practice.

Steps to conduct Field Research

The following are some key steps taken in conducting field research:

1. Identifying and obtaining a team of researchers who are specialized in the field of
research of the study.
2. Identifying the right method of field research for your research topic. The various
methods of field research are discussed above. A lot of factors will play a role in deciding
what method a researcher chooses, such as duration of the study, financial limitations,
and type of study.
3. Visiting the site/setting of the study in order to study the main subjects of the study.
4. Analyzing the data collected through field research.
5. Constructively communicating the results of the field research, whether that be through a
research paper or newspaper article etc.
2. Laboratory studies

Laboratory studies involve working inside, usually in a controlled environment. Laboratory

research is often described as tightly controlled investigation in which the researcher manipulates
the particular factor under study to determine if such manipulation generates a change in the
subjects.

3. Longitudinal study

In a longitudinal study, researchers repeatedly examine the same individuals to detect any
changes that might occur over a period of time. No set amount of time is required for a
longitudinal study, so long as the participants are repeatedly observed. They can range from as
short as a few weeks to as long as several decades. However, they usually last at least a year,
oftentimes several.

Advantages of longitudinal studies:

 1. Greater validation: For a long-term study to be successful, objectives and rules must be
established from the beginning. As it is a long-term study, its authenticity is verified in
advance, which makes the results have a high level of validity.
2. Unique data: Most research studies collect short-term data to determine the cause and
effect of what is being investigated. Longitudinal surveys follow the same principles but
the data collection period is different. Long-term relationships cannot be discovered in a
short-term investigation, but short-term relationships can be monitored in a long-term
investigation.
3. Allow identifying trends: Whether in medicine, psychology, or sociology, the long-term
design of a longitudinal study enables trends and relationships to be found within the data
collected in real time. The previous data can be applied to know future results and have
great discoveries.
4. Longitudinal surveys are flexible: Although a longitudinal study can be created to study
a specific data point, the data collected can show unforeseen patterns or relationships that
can be significant. Because this is a long-term study, the researchers have a flexibility
that is not possible with other research formats.

Disadvantages of longitudinal studies

1. ResearchTime
The main disadvantage of longitudinal surveys is that long-term research is more likely to
give unpredictable results. For example, if the same person is not found to update the
study, the research cannot be carried out. It may also take several years before the data
begins to produce observable patterns or relationships that can be monitored.
2. An unpredictability factor is always present
It must be taken into account that the initial sample can be lost over time. Because
longitudinal studies involve the same subjects over a long period of time, what happens
to them outside of data collection times can influence the data that is collected in the
future.
3. Some people may decide to stop participating in the research. Others may not be in the
correct demographics for research. If these factors are not included in the initial research
design, they could affect the findings that are generated.
4. Large samples are needed for the investigation to be meaningful
To develop relationships or patterns, a large amount of data must be collected and
extracted to generate results.
5. Highercosts
Without a doubt, the longitudinal survey is more complex and expensive. Being a long-
term form of research, the costs of the study will span years or decades, compared to
other forms of research that can be completed in a smaller fraction of the time.
 4. Cross Sectional

The opposite of a longitudinal study is a cross-sectional study. While longitudinal studies

repeatedly observe the same participants over a period of time, cross-sectional studies examine
different samples (or a “cross-section”) of the population at one point in time. They can be used
to provide a snapshot of a group or society at a specific moment.

1. Relatively quick to conduct.

2. Researchers can collect all variables at one time.
3. Multiple outcomes can be researched at once.
4. Prevalence for all factors can be measured.
5. Suitable for descriptive analysis.
6. Researchers can use it as a springboard for further research.
 5. Panel Study:

Panel studies measure people’s behaviors over time, specifically their opinions, feelings,
emotions, and thoughts. Researchers in panel studies collect information on the same individuals
and gather data repeatedly at different points during the study.

Panel studies are typically used to analyze consumer purchasing habits, the effectiveness of an
advertisement campaign, or the projected product sales.

6. Observational research

Observational research is a method of gathering data by watching and recording the behaviors of
people, animals, or objects in their natural environment. In the case of observation, a researcher
would observe human subjects without manipulating any variables. The goal of observational
research is to gather information about behavior, attitudes, and beliefs in a natural setting without
changing the way people behave.

7. Existing Data base Study

Secondary research is a research method that involves using already existing data. Existing data
is summarized and collated to increase the overall effectiveness of the research.

One of the key advantages of secondary research is that it allows us to gain insights and draw
conclusions without having to collect new data ourselves. This can save time and resources and
also allow us to build upon existing knowledge and expertise.

When conducting secondary research, it’s important to be thorough and thoughtful in our
approach. This means carefully selecting the sources and ensuring that the data we’re analyzing
is reliable and relevant to the research question. It also means being critical and analytical in the
analysis and recognizing any potential biases or limitations in the data.

8. Survey Research

Survey Research is a quantitative research method used for collecting data from a set of
respondents. It has been perhaps one of the most used methodologies in the industry for several
years due to the multiple benefits and advantages that it has when collecting and analyzing data.

The traditional definition of survey research is a quantitative method for collecting information
from a pool of respondents by asking multiple survey questions. This research type includes the
recruitment of individuals collection, and analysis of data. It’s useful for researchers who aim to
communicate new features or trends to their respondents.