Research design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Research design - Essay Example The non-numeric definition of qualitative research identifies use of narrations to describe observations. Types of qualitative research include â€Å"field interviewing,† â€Å"focus groups,† â€Å"field observations,† and ethnography (Dantzker and Hunter 2011, p. 57- 62). Qualitative research, according to Wimmer and Dominick (2013, p. 120), can also be defined as a research method that applies a â€Å"flexible questioning approach† data collection and analysis. Quantitative research, however, is a research method in which data collection and analysis involve numeric values. This identifies an objective approach to research in which data is measured on a scale. The objective scope of the research method also identify reliability and validity concepts, features of which qualitative research is devoid, for analysis of relationships between variables and description of variables (Dantzker and Hunter 2011, p. 68). Application of â€Å"static or standardized set of questions† for data collection and data analysis also defines quantitative research (Wimmer and Dominick 2013, 120). Primary research is a research in which original data is collected and analyzed and its scope identifies knowledge development with such aims as bridging knowledge gap or solving an identified problem (Gratton and Jones 2010, p. 8). Examples of primary research therefore include research through interviews, focus groups, observation, and quantitative research methods such as tests and experiments and surveys. Secondary research, however, defines a research approach in which data is collected from existing sources such as periodicals and journals. The research explores existing knowledge and suitable for identifying and understanding existing knowledge and for identifying knowledge gaps of social problems (Collins 2010, p. 120). Application of secondary research, then survey, and lastly focus group, in a sequential order is the most