Critical thinking about research methods

Why does thinking critically about research methods matter?

Choosing amongst research strategies

Based on Backstrom & Hursh-César (1981, p. 16)
Approach Helps You to Gather Advantages Disadvantages
Small-group study
  • A lot about a little
  • Early research
  • Generate hypotheses
  • Natural
  • Unobtrusive
  • High validity
  • In-depth
  • Unique
  • Impressionistic
  • Uncontrolled
  • Low quantification
Survey
  • A timely generalization
  • Test hypotheses
  • Sub-group differences
  • Generality
  • Quantitative
  • Timely
  • Replicable
  • Superficial
  • Obtrusive
  • Structured
  • Self-reporting
Field experiment
  • Causes and effects
  • Changes
  • Time order
  • Control
  • Powerful conclusions
  • Across time
  • Highest qualifications
  • Costly
  • Time consuming
  • Vulnerable
  • Sensitizing

References

  1. Backstrom, C. H., & Hursh-César, G. (1981). Survey research (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.

See also

Search for Research methods on Wikipedia.
  • Methodspace (A SAGE-supported research methods social/learning network)
  • (Onlinestatbook is a Rice University connected online statistics course with sections on Research Design)
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