Handling a research paper is overwhelming. Most students struggle to fulfill the essential part, even with the readily available guides.
You’ve browsed through the instructor’s notes, read tips on how to ace the paper, picked an ideal research topic, and are ready to get going.
But have you considered the research techniques? The research techniques hold significant weight, especially considering that you won’t just pick a method. You’ll have to vividly explain why you chose the method, how you applied it, and present the findings.
So, what’s the best research technique? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on the type of research you intend to undertake. Here is a rundown of the primary methods to help you pick the best for your research paper.
Table of Contents
Qualitative techniques
The technique mainly expresses the finding in words. It focuses on understanding concepts, experiences, and thoughts.
If your research paper explores ideas to formulate a hypothesis or theory, then the qualitative technique is the best fit. Among the primary approaches used are case studies, literature reviews, and interviews.
The process involves open-ended questions as you strive to gain a balanced view of people’s perspectives on some issues. The technique doesn’t need an extensive respondents’ base, making it more manageable.
After the research, you analyze the finding by summarizing, categorizing, and interpreting the materials gathered. While the qualitative approach seems a lot easier, interpreting the results is challenging.
You keep in mind that the findings aren’t in numbers but forms such as videos, images, and text. The key terms used in qualitative research include subjectivity, context, understanding, and complexity.
Quantitative techniques
The method includes collecting factual data, expressed primarily in numbers, tables, and graphs. The data confirms theories or assumptions. As such, it is an ideal pick if your research paper is geared towards supporting a particular theory or hypothesis. The qualitative research technique uses experiments, surveys, content analysis, observation, and existing data sources.
As you are focused on factual data, the method uses closed questions, including multiple choices. You’ll use math and statistical approaches to analyze the findings.
Reliability of the data means that you have to test an extensive pool, requiring many respondents. As you express the results, the critical terms used include replicability, testing, measurement, and objectivity.
The quantitative technique seems challenging due to the math and statistical part, but it is easier since most data is in numbers. The best part is that you have an extensive pool of tools such as software solutions to leverage in your research, analysis, and presentation.
Mixed techniques
Your research technique isn’t restrained to qualitative or quantitative methods. You can employ both, especially if you are looking to explore and numerically support your findings.
The mixed technique gives your research paper more weight, especially as you can steer more towards credibility. You’ factor in factual data and account for concerns that can’t be easily expressed numerically.
Furnishing the research bit of your paper is arguably the most challenging area. However, don’t let it push you to a technique that will limit your research paper’s effectiveness.
You can employ professional services to help you with various activities, from data collection, testing, analysis to interpretation. You can also find a service to help you stay on the right track, such as tutors. There are many options, especially online; this website can help.
How did you collect/generate and analyze the data? Your research paper’s validity is judged by the technique employed, stressing the need to weigh your options and pick the best. With an extensive pool of online resources, you can find a lot to help you submit a top-class paper and fast-track your academic quest.
