Descriptive research methods are used when the researcher wants
to describe specific behavior as it occurs in the environment. There are a variety of descriptive research methods available, the nature of the question that needs to be answered drives which method is used. It does not answer questions about how/when/why the characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses the "what" question (what are the characteristics of the population or situation being studied?). The characteristics used to describe the situation or population are usually some kind of categorical scheme also known as descriptive categories. Eg: Periodic Table. Types of Descriptive Research
Observational Method
Case Study Method
Survey Method Observational Method
Observational research (or field research) is a type of correlational
(i.e., non-experimental) research in which a researcher observes ongoing behavior. There are a variety of types of observational research, each of which has both strengths and weaknesses. 3 Approaches of Observational Research: Covert observation Overt observation Researcher participation 3 Approaches of Observational Research Researcher Covert Observation Overt Observation Participation • The researchers do not • The researchers identify • The researcher participates identify themselves. Either themselves as researchers in what they are observing they mix in with the subjects and explain the purpose of so as to get a finer undetected, or they their observations. appreciation of the observe from a distance. phenomena. The advantages of this • The problem with this approach are: approach is subjects may modify their behavior when (1) It is not necessary to get the they know they are being subjects’ cooperation, and watched. (2) The subjects’ behavior will not be contaminated by the presence of the researcher. Case Study Method
Case studies are analyses of persons, events, decisions, periods,
projects, policies, institutions, or other systems that are studied holistically by one or more method.
The case that is the subject of the inquiry will be an instance of a
class of phenomena that provides an analytical frame — an object — within which the study is conducted and which the case illuminates and explicates. Strengths & Limitations of Case study Method Strengths Limitations Provides detailed (rich qualitative) Can’t generalize the results to the information. wider population. Provides insight for further Researchers own subjective research. feeling may influence the case study (researcher bias). Permitting investigation of otherwise impractical (or Difficult to replicate. unethical) situations. Time consuming. Survey Method
A survey is defined as a brief interview or discussion with individuals
about a specific topic. Survey research is often used to assess thoughts, opinions, and feelings. Survey research can be specific and limited, or it can have more global, widespread goals. A survey consists of a predetermined set of questions that is given to a sample. With a representative sample, that is, one that is representative of the larger population of interest, one can describe the attitudes of the population from which the sample was drawn. 3 Techniques of Survey Research are: Questionnaires Interviews Survey Techniques of Survey Research
Questionnaires Interviews Survey
• A series of written questions • Questions posed to an • Brief interviews and a participant answers. individual to obtain discussions with individuals information about him or about a specific topic. • This method gathers her. responses to questions that • A survey is a quick interview, are essay or • This type of survey is like a with the surveyor asking only agree/neutral/disagree job interview, with one a few questions. style. person asking another a load of questions.