Key Elements Of Research Methodologies.

Types Of Research: Primary Research – this is when an individual collects their own data using primary research techniques, these techniques can be questionnaires, interviews and observations. This type of research can be either qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative – this type of research takes an interest in opinions, thoughts, and attitudes. Results from this type of research can be difficult to analyse statistically but is used to support thoughts and opinions, for example surveys, questionnaires interviews and observations with open questions. Quantitative – this type of research produces findings that can be analysed statistically, an example of this would be data can be presented in tables, diagrams, charts and graphs. Secondary Research – this type of research involves looking at resources that have already been produced, this gives the researcher the opportunity to extend their knowledge of what is already known about their specific topic. This is an essential part of a project as it provides the researchers with the ideas that have previously been developed, example of places to find secondary research are books, internet, government publications and journals.
An important aspect to always remember when finding secondary research is to always use reliable and credible sights to gain accurate information.

Primary Sources: Questionnaires – Questionnaires can be made of a mix of different types of questions, these questions could be: Open Questions – this type of question allows an individual’s answers to be their own choice. There are many advantages to this type of question one of which is it gives the researcher the opportunity to explore the topic in depth through individual’s thoughts, opinions and attitudes. However there are also disadvantages to this type of research, one of which is the answers can become difficult to interpret and compare because the answers do not follow a specific format. Closed Questions – this type of question limits the amount of answers an individual can give, an example of this would be yes/no questions, ticking boxes and gender questions. An advantage of this type of research is that it is easy for the researcher to present their findings statistically. There is a big disadvantage of this type of research; this Is that there can be a lack in variation in the given answers. Unstructured/structured - unstructured questions can provide the researcher with validity and structured questions provide the researcher with reliability. Interviews – this type of research allows a researcher to ask respondents questions individually, such as: Unstructured – this type of question allows the researcher to gain a better knowledge of the general topic of interest, it if also free to follow up the responses of the respondent. One advantage of this type of questions is that the respondent can answer from their own interpretation of the question; one disadvantage of this type of research is that the respondent may incorrectly interpret the question. Structured – this type of question allows the researcher ask each respondent identical questions. One advantage of this type of question is it provides the researcher with a direct comparison of each answer, one