A Comprehensive Guide To Research Methods, Types & Examples

Research methods or research methodology refers to the processes behind the research. The systematic methods used by a researcher in compiling a research paper or report and the reliable results with conclusive evidence comprises research. A dissertation, thesis, research paper and even an academic journal requires extensive research. A good research method is one where the researcher highlights the research methods used and why the method is relevant. 

Many latest and surprisingly more in-depth exploration areas anticipate the consideration of devoted researchers and curious journalists. Research is instrumental in building and further developing information and supporting existing information with certain realities to enhance learning.

The research method used in conducting specific research entails the profundity of the results, and it also determines the result, conclusion and discussions raised by the research. Abiding by good research methodology regulates the quality of the data and the reliability of the conclusive evidence. Following are the four key points that researchers used for choosing their research method:

1. Firstly, the researchers decide on what data to collect? The relevancy of the data to the research topic or requirement.
2. Next, they decide on the data source. The originality of data decides the quality of the research.
3. After deciding the process and source of data collection, the researcher collected the required data. This step is time-consuming; it may take days, months or years.
4. Lastly, the collected data is analysed to draw conclusions and recommendations.

What Are the Various Types of Research Methodologies?

Research is the building block of any enterprise, be it marketing research, scientific research, or analysis of the latest innovation. Every innovation and idea is a result of a previous research conclusion. Thriving for a newer and better version of basically everything is human nature, and researching helps us attain that. As it is ingrained in our veins to get better and better with time, we have done a comprehensive study of research methods. Hence here are a few of the most prominent research methods used in various sectors:

Quantitative Research

 A quantitative research method is one where the results are presented in 'quantities' or numerical form. Data collected by researchers in quantitative research can be represented in statistical form, but there are exceptions.

An example of quantitative research is when a company conducts customer satisfaction rating surveys. For such a survey, the company uses a questionnaire template to collect data based on various parameters like quality, price, satisfaction, customer experience about their goods and services.

Did you know Australian organisations lose $720 per bad client experience, and just 31% of professional firms reward their representatives across the organisation for further developing customer satisfaction?

Qualitative Research

This research method is useful to determine people's views on various topics. The data collected in such a research method is non-numerical and is useful for recuse. These research methods include ethnography, grounded theory, narrative research, and event-based research. Such research is useful in determining the core issues of a situation or developing new ideas.

Some topics for qualitative research are:

• How do children of different age groups work on their homework?
• Why is it important to address social issues in school curriculums?
• What are the various factors triggering anxiety in individuals of different ages?
• Is social media a boon or bane?

A recent study conducted phone interviews with 40 Australian grown-ups in mid-2020 regarding their encounters with the COVID-19 emergency. There was significant interest in COVID-19 data as individuals faced vulnerability, tension, and feeling overpowered. Certain critical occasions or encounters made individuals aware that the episode compromised Australia and themselves conceivably.

Analytical Research

For analytical research methods, pre-existing facts and knowledge are used to evaluate a given data or theme. Quantitative research is also useful for conducting analytical research. The basic reason for conducting analytical research is to determine the 'why?' behind any problem or situation. It is different from descriptive research as there is no comparative analysis or classification of the research. It is to be used to establish the cause-effect relationship among the variables.

An example of analytical research is determining the effects of covid on the finance and public health sectors. The quantitative analysis of the supporting data is descriptive, but review effects caused by covid are analytical.

Marketing Analytics has removed the barrier of working with information and examination across all channels. Businesses currently have improved lucidity about product execution. Advertising Analytics was successful in changing the Marketing dynamic.

Fundamental Research

Fundamental research is used to develop theories or hypotheses based on previous research and are purely new and original. This research method is often used by an enterprise's research and development operations. It is useful yet strenuous and time-consuming.

The various flavours developed by a food company, the advanced and entirely innovations introduced by tech companies, and the latest covid information we receive every other day result from fundamental research carried out by researchers.

Australia's spending on science-based R&D, as a level of GDP, has diminished throughout recent years, albeit throughout recent many years it has expanded, notwithstanding falling government support.

Conclusive Research

As the name suggests, conclusive research is useful for providing analysis and conclusion for a research project that has a standard research methodology and format. A pre-existing research structure helps attain a required conclusion and draw a hypothesis. Scientists often use such methods to reach various problems or find better medicine for certain diseases.

Laboratory research conducted in a controlled environment to reach a desired or required result is considered conclusive research. The researchers control some variables and manipulate the others to measure the effect of such variables on the result. The development of various medicines or vaccines is an example of conclusive research.

Learn how to acknowledge any source of information using the APA 7th style.

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How Do You Write the Research Methodology in an Assignment?

Researchology requires students to conduct experiments and data collection to analyse and conclude the results for various research topics. Data collection is the most important part of a research project, and it may be time-consuming. A dissertation is years worth of research and data collection conducted by the researcher. There are various methods of collecting data that we discussed above.

Here’s a sample to help you understand research methods better for your assignments:

Research is important to determine the course of action, gather information, and develop theories in the field. It helps build knowledge and understand the issues regarding research as a tool for analysing their profit-loss per cent and determining future scope. Since it is very important, it has to be presented properly. The following are the steps to write research:

• First, write the introduction or the aim of the research (or the experiment in case of conclusive research).
• Next, you need to write the methodology used in conducting the research.
• List the methods used for data collection and sources.
• Describe your data analysis method and support your analysis method concerning the requirement of the research theme.
• Add all the supportive arguments for your research and the relevancy of your data. The observations made throughout the research and the quantitative research results can also be added to this section.
• Lastly, write the conclusions and further recommendations for the research.

Researching is crucial to devising the required theories, results, or hypotheses for various fields of study. It is used in schools, universities, marketing operations, scientific research, data analysis and more. Every professional field or field of study requires minor or major research. Researching helps verify the relevancy of the data and attain needed lots.

In the marketing sector, researching is what makes the business keep running. The newer, better products and technologies are a result of research. Each of those is considered researching, from googling a query to jotting down the various progressive data of a lab experiment. We hope this blog helped in clearing most of your doubts regarding research methodologies. Our assignment help experts know that research methods are an integral component of college assignments and thus, are always there to assist students via online one-to-one guided sessions. Get all your queries resolved by availing our academic assistance today!