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Analysis Of Research Methods

Research Methods
There are numerous different research methods and strategies in use today. This chapter will look at each in some detail, weighing up the pros and cons, while comparing and contrasting them before coming to a conclusion of the most favourable methodology to use in the future.
Surveys
It is important to note that the survey approach should be regarded as a strategy, rather than a method. The survey approach is a research strategy, not a method. Researchers who adopt the strategy are able to use a whole range of methods within the strategy; questionnaires, interviews, documents and observation (Denscombe, 2007).

Given that the survey strategy encompasses many different methods, there are numerous advantages to adopting this approach. Surveys can cover wide areas and large demographics. This can mean a large amount of people with a wide array of views can be sampled (Foreman, 1991).

There are two main methods for ascertaining information via surveys. They are qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative refers to ways of collecting data which are concerned with describing meaning, rather than with drawing statistical inferences. Quantitative methods are those which focus on numbers and frequencies rather than on meaning and experience. These in turn can be analysed statistically to show trends and patterns (Creswell, 2008).

The main attraction of a survey lie in it’s appeal to generalise and be universal within given parameters, its ability to make statements which are supported by large data banks and its ability to establish the degree of confidence which can be placed in a set of findings. Expenditure is another advantage due to the only potential costs involved being the production and collection of surveys. If the main aim of a survey is to collect statistics quickly and cost effectively then questionnaires can be most economically viable (Cohen, et al, 2003)

Disadvantages are also present with the survey strategy. As mentioned...