{"id":279,"date":"2017-07-25T15:22:54","date_gmt":"2017-07-25T15:22:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=279"},"modified":"2018-01-09T15:08:22","modified_gmt":"2018-01-09T15:08:22","slug":"research-methods-comparison","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/chapter\/research-methods-comparison\/","title":{"raw":"Research Methods Comparison","rendered":"Research Methods Comparison"},"content":{"raw":"Each of the three main primary research methods for WRIT 250 has its benefits and drawbacks\u2014as well as specific contexts in which they can be used. This table provides a snapshot overview of these different methods so that you can compare them and choose the best method(s) for your project.\r\n<div>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Surveys<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Interviews<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Observations<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Benefits<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Large sample group possible<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Results generalizable to larger population(s)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Comparisons between sub-groups possible<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Visuals (graphics, charts, etc.) easily created from quantitative data<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>In-depth information and opinions on research topic<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Clarification and follow-up questions possible<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Questions can change as the interview progresses<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Comparisons between respondents possible<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Large sample group possible<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Results are based on actual and observed behaviors rather than reported behaviors\/beliefs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Quantitative and qualitative data possible<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Weaknesses<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Questions can be misread by participants<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Static method means no chance to follow up for clarification<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Respondents may over- or under-report certain behaviors or beliefs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Reliant upon knowledge base of one or few respondents, who may not be representative of a larger sample<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Qualitative data can be more complex to handle than quantitative data<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Respondents may over- or under-report certain behaviors or beliefs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Time required can be intense<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mistaken data collection can happen without a clear protocol<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Bias in data collection can happen without a clear protocol<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\r\nA student majoring in dietetics and nutrition is researching how young adults consume water, sodas, and other non-alcoholic beverages as well as what they know about the beverages\u2019 caloric contents. Here are some options for that student\u2019s primary research project.\r\n<div>\r\n<table class=\"lines\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"border\">Survey<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"border\">Interview(s)<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"border\">Observation<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"border\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Survey college students about their knowledge of these beverages as well as their self-reported behavior<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"border\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Interview a professor who is an expert in the field of young adults and nutrition<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Interview fellow students in detail about their knowledge of these beverages and their consumption habits<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"border\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Observe students at the campus food court, tallying how many students take drinks of each kind available at the drink dispenser(s)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<p>Each of the three main primary research methods for WRIT 250 has its benefits and drawbacks\u2014as well as specific contexts in which they can be used. This table provides a snapshot overview of these different methods so that you can compare them and choose the best method(s) for your project.<\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><strong>Surveys<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Interviews<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Observations<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Benefits<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Large sample group possible<\/li>\n<li>Results generalizable to larger population(s)<\/li>\n<li>Comparisons between sub-groups possible<\/li>\n<li>Visuals (graphics, charts, etc.) easily created from quantitative data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>In-depth information and opinions on research topic<\/li>\n<li>Clarification and follow-up questions possible<\/li>\n<li>Questions can change as the interview progresses<\/li>\n<li>Comparisons between respondents possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Large sample group possible<\/li>\n<li>Results are based on actual and observed behaviors rather than reported behaviors\/beliefs<\/li>\n<li>Quantitative and qualitative data possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Weaknesses<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Questions can be misread by participants<\/li>\n<li>Static method means no chance to follow up for clarification<\/li>\n<li>Respondents may over- or under-report certain behaviors or beliefs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Reliant upon knowledge base of one or few respondents, who may not be representative of a larger sample<\/li>\n<li>Qualitative data can be more complex to handle than quantitative data<\/li>\n<li>Respondents may over- or under-report certain behaviors or beliefs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Time required can be intense<\/li>\n<li>Mistaken data collection can happen without a clear protocol<\/li>\n<li>Bias in data collection can happen without a clear protocol<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\n<p>A student majoring in dietetics and nutrition is researching how young adults consume water, sodas, and other non-alcoholic beverages as well as what they know about the beverages\u2019 caloric contents. Here are some options for that student\u2019s primary research project.<\/p>\n<div>\n<table class=\"lines\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"border\">Survey<\/td>\n<td class=\"border\">Interview(s)<\/td>\n<td class=\"border\">Observation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"border\">\n<ul>\n<li>Survey college students about their knowledge of these beverages as well as their self-reported behavior<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"border\">\n<ul>\n<li>Interview a professor who is an expert in the field of young adults and nutrition<\/li>\n<li>Interview fellow students in detail about their knowledge of these beverages and their consumption habits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"border\">\n<ul>\n<li>Observe students at the campus food court, tallying how many students take drinks of each kind available at the drink dispenser(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-279\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Research Design and Ethics. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Sarah Wilson &amp; Trey Bagwell . <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Forms of Primary Research. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Jeff Paschke-Johannes. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Ivy Tech Community College.. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":15005,"menu_order":10,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Research Design and Ethics\",\"author\":\"Sarah Wilson & Trey Bagwell \",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Forms of Primary Research\",\"author\":\"Jeff Paschke-Johannes\",\"organization\":\"Ivy Tech Community College.\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-279","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":90,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15005"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":662,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/279\/revisions\/662"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/90"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/279\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=279"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=279"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/olemiss-writ250\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}