How2Day: Different Types of Methodologies

There are two main types of research methodologies. laboratory image by Oleg Verbitsky from Fotolia.com
With the major growth in types of research methods over the years, it's important to reconsider the basic structure of methodologies, which can generally be broken down into two types: quantitative and qualitative. Both approaches represent a different context for the study. Researchers must be able to determine which form of methodology best suits their goals and then, understanding the methodology, find an experimental model or models to suit their study.

Quantitative methodologies allow researchers to evaluate within a more controlled context. These types of studies infer a tendency to "assign numbers to the data" gathered. Several different types of experiments are part of this larger methodology. These studies include statistical and correlational analysis, surveys and controlled experiments. Statistical and correlational analysis consists of analyzing the relation between multiple variables. Survey studies are conducted by collecting information to measure different variables on the participants' beliefs about a variety of topics. Controlled experiments, Tufts University's information site on methodologies explains, provide researchers with the ability to test "an independent variable by applying it to one group of cases but not a second group."

Qualitative methodologies differ greatly from the quantitative model, as they seek to get information that will "reflect the content and meaning of an event or the perspective of an individual." Qualitative methodologies include interviews, observation, field research and questionnaires/surveys. Interviews, which may be structured or unstructured, are similar to the survey but are often more intensive in their search for detail. Observation is in the form of participation, as the researcher collects data from within the subject's world. Another form of participative study is fieldwork, where researchers can observe firsthand, take notes and later analyze the results. Questionnaires, like surveys, are blank forms that researchers request participants complete.

Certain research models adapt characteristics of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to complete their studies. These models are comparative analysis, textual analysis, case studies and historical/narrative. Comparative analysis, which can be quantitative or qualitative, measures different study subjects against one another to better understand how they differ or are similar. Textual analysis is the analysis of the literature and language of the study group. Case studies provide in-depth overviews of single units of study. Historical/narrative models largely draw on collecting and relating events to understand a particular historical, social or economic model.

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