Research Methods
So far, you have done the Purpose of Research, The Issues that crop up while doing research and any
Lifestyle factors that influence how research is then used. We now need to move onto how research
gives us any data and information that then we can utilise to help people or inform health care policy
and practice. This is done by using different forms of Research Methods. These include the following.
1. Questionnaires 10. Primary Sources
2. Interviews 11. Secondary Sources
3. Case Studies 12. Effective Literature Searches
4. Scientific Experiments
5. Checklists
6. Observations
7. Quantitative Data
8. Qualitative Data
9. Surveys
Task:
a) Describe in your own words what each of the above Research
methods involve.
Questionnaires- list of questions or items used to gather data from
respondents about their attitudes, opinions or experiences. Can be used
to collect quantitative or qualitative information.
Interviews- qualitative method that relies on asking questions to collect
data. Involves asking open-ended questions in order to converse with
respondents and collect information.
Case studies- in-depth study of one person, group or an event to give an
understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context. Focuses on
qualitative research through the use of methods such as interviews and
observations as well as an analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Sometimes collects quantitative data.
, Scientific experiments- making observations, formulating hypotheses,
making predictions, conducting experiments and analysing results.
Scientifically tested and produces quantitative data.
Checklist- management tool that lists different tasks, behaviours or
activities that need to be followed in order to achieve a systematic
result. Used to verify that specific actions are being taken. Organises
items in a systematic manner as well as provides an overview of the
tasks that need to be accomplished.
Observations- observe participants ongoing behaviours in a natural
situation. Active investment of information from a primary source. For
example, watching something like a doctor watching a patient after
administering an injection to ensure no reactions occur.
Quantitative data- is data that can be counted or can be measured in
numerical values or numerical analysis of datasets.
Qualitative data- is non-numeric information such as transcripts from
interviews, field notes, answers to surveys, audio-visual recordings and
images to understand concepts, opinions or experiences.
Surveys- Collects, analyses and interprets data from individuals. The
collection of information from a sample of individuals through their
responses to questions. This could be information such as behaviours,
needs and opinions. It is a good way of gathering information from a
large cohort of people.
Primary sources- original material regardless of format i.e. interviews,
observations, photographs, letters. These are records of events or
evidence as they are first described or happened without interpretation
or commentary. Research that you conduct yourself and you have found
the information out by yourself.
Secondary sources- usually offer an analysis of a primary source and try
explaining them. Try to summarise, interpret, reorganise or provide an
So far, you have done the Purpose of Research, The Issues that crop up while doing research and any
Lifestyle factors that influence how research is then used. We now need to move onto how research
gives us any data and information that then we can utilise to help people or inform health care policy
and practice. This is done by using different forms of Research Methods. These include the following.
1. Questionnaires 10. Primary Sources
2. Interviews 11. Secondary Sources
3. Case Studies 12. Effective Literature Searches
4. Scientific Experiments
5. Checklists
6. Observations
7. Quantitative Data
8. Qualitative Data
9. Surveys
Task:
a) Describe in your own words what each of the above Research
methods involve.
Questionnaires- list of questions or items used to gather data from
respondents about their attitudes, opinions or experiences. Can be used
to collect quantitative or qualitative information.
Interviews- qualitative method that relies on asking questions to collect
data. Involves asking open-ended questions in order to converse with
respondents and collect information.
Case studies- in-depth study of one person, group or an event to give an
understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context. Focuses on
qualitative research through the use of methods such as interviews and
observations as well as an analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Sometimes collects quantitative data.
, Scientific experiments- making observations, formulating hypotheses,
making predictions, conducting experiments and analysing results.
Scientifically tested and produces quantitative data.
Checklist- management tool that lists different tasks, behaviours or
activities that need to be followed in order to achieve a systematic
result. Used to verify that specific actions are being taken. Organises
items in a systematic manner as well as provides an overview of the
tasks that need to be accomplished.
Observations- observe participants ongoing behaviours in a natural
situation. Active investment of information from a primary source. For
example, watching something like a doctor watching a patient after
administering an injection to ensure no reactions occur.
Quantitative data- is data that can be counted or can be measured in
numerical values or numerical analysis of datasets.
Qualitative data- is non-numeric information such as transcripts from
interviews, field notes, answers to surveys, audio-visual recordings and
images to understand concepts, opinions or experiences.
Surveys- Collects, analyses and interprets data from individuals. The
collection of information from a sample of individuals through their
responses to questions. This could be information such as behaviours,
needs and opinions. It is a good way of gathering information from a
large cohort of people.
Primary sources- original material regardless of format i.e. interviews,
observations, photographs, letters. These are records of events or
evidence as they are first described or happened without interpretation
or commentary. Research that you conduct yourself and you have found
the information out by yourself.
Secondary sources- usually offer an analysis of a primary source and try
explaining them. Try to summarise, interpret, reorganise or provide an
