Types of Research Methodology
When conducting research, it is important to choose an appropriate research method so that one can collect relevant data for analysis. There are various research methods that are used in research conduction. Every research method has its own advantages and disadvantages (Kumar, 2019). This essay explores the advantages and disadvantages of interviews, surveys, and experiments as research methods.
Interviews
Advantages
It is possible to reach a large group of people when a structured research method is used. This is because more people will be involved in the interviews; hence more data is likely to be collected for the research making it better and more accurate as a representation of the whole (King et al., 2018).
Interviews make it possible to choose an appropriate representative sample; hence questions and responses can be modeled from such samples. This makes the data collected a better representative of the population from which the research is being conducted.
It is possible to get a clear perspective and opinion from the interviews since questions can be structured in a way to make the simple for those particular interviewees to respond to them. This makes the interviews have a better understanding of the questions hence responding in the most honest answers getting the right information.
Interviews are more independent from recording devices; hence first-hand data is collected. Recording data can mislead the research, especially if they do not get some of the words that are being listened to hence having the wrong conclusion.
Interviews provide no room for any form of confusion and misinterpretation of information. This is due to the fact that one gets firsthand information and even can seek clarification from the interviewee as needed (Young et al., 2018).
Interviews are more personal in nature, especially when conducted face to face, and this makes the interviewee confident to provide the right and accurate responses. This is due to the fact that the method creates and boosts confidence.
It is an excellent method in creating quantitative data; hence can be used and applied in other processes since it is flexible.
Using unstructured interviews creates room for flexibility in the research hence adaptive depending on the responses provided by the interviewee. This creates an avenue for getting more information regarding an issue that the researcher may have overlooked.
Disadvantages
Structured interview questions are non-flexible; hence the researcher will be unable to get new information by asking questions not in the interview, making them miss information that the interviewee may have.
Structured interviews normally lead to the collection of quantitative data lacking detail since the researcher cannot ask for details that are not found in the questions (Queirós et al., 2018). They will, therefore, not be able to know why the interviewee behaved in a particular way when answering the questions.
It makes it difficult for the researcher to analyze data collected from unstructured interviews since it is less specific and covers a wide range of views.
There is a lack of validity when using group interviews. This is because the participants tend to provide inaccurate information just to impress the interviewer.
It is a costly research method since the research must employ and even train interviewers compared to research methods like surveys (Kumar, 2019).
It can lead to bias data collection since the interviewee can answer questions based on their reaction to the interviewer’s race, ethnicity, and even their class.
It can be time-consuming, especially for the unstructured interview, since the respondent can give any information, and the interviewer may not want to interrupt so that they do not disrupt the rapport and trust gained.
Surveys
Advantages
It is a cost-effective method of data collection. This is because some surveys are self-administered hence no cost incurred in traveling to administer them to the respondents (Rahman, 2017).
It is more practical and provides real-time data for analysis. The use of polls and quizzes makes the researcher get feedback immediately for analysis and get the general conclusion of the research question issue they were tackling.
It requires less time to develop, administer, and get the data needed; hence the researcher can provide report intended soonest possible.
It is possible to collect data from a wide and large number of people and in a large geographical area. This is due to the fact that the questionnaires can be sent electronically and be filled and submitted through the same means (Kumar, 2019).
It provides a broad range of data since one can get data from opinions, values, beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of the respondents.
The method protects the respondent identity since the information and data are sent anonymously as there is no face to face meetings.
Disadvantages
The respondent may not provide accurate and valid data since the researcher is not around them to encourage them to do so.
The respondents may fail to provide data and information, especially on topics that make them feel uncomfortable and do not favor them.
The method has a lower validity rate, especially for the surveys that involve close-ended questions.
The method relies heavily on statistical software for validity and analysis; hence may not be the true reflection of the survey intended (Queirós et al., 2018).
Data errors may arise, especially on questions that remains not responded to since the researcher may not be able to establish the reason as to why the question was not responded to. Every respondent has their own reasons as to why they did not respond to a particular question in the survey.
Experiments
Advantages
The researcher has a high level of control of the research since they can isolate and determine whether a certain variable has a particular outcome or not.
The method can be used for a wide range of research conduction irrespective of their field or industry (Rahman, 2017). It is, therefore, a research methodology that has been accepted in almost all fields of study.
This research method provides accurate and reliable conclusions of particular research. This is due to the fact that the researcher is able to validate the outcome of the data since they have a high level of control of the variable (Gravetter & Forzano, 2018).
It allows another researcher to verify the results and conclusions of the research due to the fact that similar steps can be taken by another researcher to conduct and duplicate the same research.
The research method allows cause and effect to be determined in the research since the researcher is able to manipulate the variables by subjecting them to various conditions.
This research method can be used with other research methods hence creating room for better data collection and analysis.
Disadvantages
The research results are prone to human error; hence validity is subject to who conducted the research. This explains why there may be variable results from different researchers who have used the same steps and methods for the experiment (Kumar, 2019).
An experimental result creates a scenario that can be unrealistic due to the tight controls of the variable, which may be very different from the typical uncontrolled environment.
It is a time-consuming method of research since variables must be isolated one by one and research conducted on each one of them (Queirós et al., 2017). Such a process can be lengthy hence delaying the much-waited results and conclusions.
It is costly as it requires a lot of expertise and a well-equipped workplace. This may negatively impact the cost of the product hence less consumption.
The method may not provide the actual explanation of behavior since it tends to answer the yes or no question on a particular query.
It is difficult to measure human responses in the experimental research method as some different forces and pressures can lead to a person behaving in a particular manner.
References
Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. A. B. (2018). Research methods for the behavioral sciences. Cengage Learning.
King, N., Horrocks, C., & Brooks, J. (2018). Interviews in qualitative research. SAGE Publications Limited.
Kumar, R. (2019). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications Limited.
Queirós, A., Faria, D., & Almeida, F. (2017). Strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research methods. European Journal of Education Studies.
Rahman, M. S. (2017). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Methods in Language” Testing and Assessment” Research: A Literature Review. Journal of Education and Learning, 6(1), 102-112.
Young, J. C., Rose, D. C., Mumby, H. S., Benitez‐Capistros, F., Derrick, C. J., Finch, T., … & Parkinson, S. (2018). A methodological guide to using and reporting on interviews in conservation science research. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9(1), 10-19.