Quantitative & Qualitative Research Methods
Demonstrate understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the ability to design a research project, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize research literature.
“The heart and soul of any good writing is research…”
– Robert J. Sawyer (b. 1960 Canadian-American author)
Evidence
INFO 200 – Literature Review Matrix
For this assignment, I defined the information community that I had chosen, explained the significance of studying the information behaviors of this group, and created a statement of research. I discussed how the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community’s unique primary way of communicating with each other via ASL (American Sign Language), can intimidate those who are unfamiliar with it. The eight articles chosen were later used in a research paper and aided in demonstrating my understanding of the information behaviors and needs of the adult hard of hearing/deaf community and how libraries and information centers might provide or update services to meet their needs.
The matrix is split into two sections, the first section “They Say” contains the author/date, main ideas, theoretical/conceptual framework, methods, results and analysis, and conclusions. The second section “I Say” is comprised of comments, future research implications, and information professional practices implications. After completing this assignment, I now have a better understanding of the best practices and techniques for evaluating sources and analyzing the information presented. These evaluation criteria include examining the author’s authority, audience, purpose, and accuracy.
During my advanced research methods (historical research emphasis) class, I was required to take a training course for students conducting minimal-risk research on human subjects. When evaluating the potential risks of harm in a study, several factors need to be taken into account, such as the invasion of privacy or breach of confidentiality, psychological and social impacts, and the possibility of conflicts of interest. Some examples of minimal risk research include but are not limited to non-interventional studies (e.g., observational studies of behavior or nutrition), survey/questionnaire studies of a non-sensitive nature, and research involving the collection or meta-analysis of existing data, documents, or records (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.).
This certificate indicates my completion of the Social Science Research Ethics Training of the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative online workshop. This training taught me the best practices for conducting research with human subjects and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process. I appreciate the opportunity to become more familiar with the ethics of conducting research with human subjects, appropriately collecting data, and storing data safely and securely.
INFO 285 – Art & Architecture in the Khmer Empire
This is the culminating research project for the advanced research methods (historical research emphasis) course. The topic I chose to explore was art and architecture in the Khmer Empire, now modern-day Cambodia, which flourished between the 9th – 15th centuries C.E. A main component of the research was how religion influenced art and architecture, namely Theravada Buddism and Hinduism. The discussion section covers architecture and prominent temples, fine arts, religious iconography, religious and political unrest, water systems and climate, and the neglect and rediscovery of these valuable artifacts and structures.
This assignment allowed me to experience the graduate research process, which included writing a proposal, gathering scholarly sources, conducting a literature review, explaining my methodology, and organizing the resources and information into the final paper. I was able to explore quantitative and qualitative research and the benefits of using both methods. I also had the opportunity to go to a local exhibition, conveniently showing while I was conducting my research, about Angkor, the center of the then Khmer empire. From this exhibit, I was able to synthesize the information and concepts discussed and include them in my paper.
Conclusion
In conclusion, information professionals should have a comprehensive understanding of the research process, including developing a proposal, locating scholarly sources, evaluating resources, and organizing the findings. By conducting this research, I can stay abreast of emerging ideas and adapt to the ever-evolving demands of technology. Going forward I will strive to utilize qualitative and quantitative research to discover new insights and expand upon existing knowledge in the information field.
Introduction
There are two types of research, basic and applied. Basic research refers to purely theoretical and scientific research and is used to create new, generalizable knowledge (Powell, 2018). This approach involves using a research development statement, forming a hypothesis, implementing a methodological design, and collecting and analyzing data. Applied research on the other hand is more concerned with the solving of specific problems in real situations (Powell, 2018). It is utilized through practical application and examining the findings of the research. One aspect of applied research is evaluation research, which can be used to charge the outcome or effects of a library program or service such as service quality (Powell, 2018). It can also include a process evaluation, for example, assessing how books are acquired and maintained, and how often they are circulated or checked out.
Research is vital for expanding and improving the information profession. It is also thought of as a process that leads to a dependable resolution of problems or information we are curious about (Powell, 2018). The research process is not complete without sharing or publishing it, whether that be on a website, in a research paper, or a presentation. Seeing my research published in a professional journal would be an incredible accomplishment and it’s something I will strive for.
Planning a Research Project
Current research in the library and information science field tends to be more rigorous methodologically and as a whole employs a variety of research methods including several methods borrowed from other fields (Powell, 2018). Research topics are usually personal and can come from an experience, a curiosity, a modern-day event, or even a question that arises when you’re looking at a document or artifact (Presnell, 2019). For example, historical research requires formulating a unique research question and ultimately developing an argument by building on other’s research in addition to primary sources. After a research question has been refined, preliminary research should be conducted before exploring the topic in more depth. The literature study and review should include previous research on the chosen topic since it will aid in developing a hypothesis. Conducting a literature review can help identify patterns and themes within a particular field. The steps of a literature review start with a structured search, then deconstruction and evaluation of the information, and finally the synthesis and reconstruction (Smallbone & Quinton, 2011).
Once a hypothesis has been formulated, a method of research (quantitative, qualitative, or both) must be chosen which can include but is not limited to surveys, experiments, case studies, focus groups, or content analysis. This information can be used as a source for data analysis. Depending on the data collected, it may be necessary to create spreadsheets and generate graphs or other visual representations of the data. Qualitative researchers can analyze their data using techniques such as content analysis and the constant comparative method (Powell, 2018). A researcher will need to organize this information and resources into a research report or paper which should follow a standard format and bibliographic style. The researcher should also strive to have that research published in a professional journal which will ideally stimulate further research in the field (Powell, 2018).
Evaluating Sources
Some basic evaluation criteria include authority, audience and purpose, accuracy and completeness, and citations and documentation (Presnell, 2019). Authority refers to who the author is, their affiliation, and their background. A researcher can also determine an author’s credibility by examining their professional or personal biography. When determining the intended audience, it’s important to consider whether the author is writing for professionals or a general audience. Paying attention to whether the author covers all the necessary topics, even if disagreeing with other scholars, is also crucial (Presnell, 2019). To ensure accuracy and completeness, it is helpful to examine footnotes, endnotes, citations, and documentation.
According to Powell (2018), one study found that almost 90% of information professionals in the United States and Canada regularly read at least one research Journal while nearly 62% regularly read research-based articles. All information professionals should read and evaluate the results of research studies even if they have no intention of conducting their own research. This practice not only encourages personal growth but can potentially improve library services for patrons.
Quantitative & Qualitative Research Methods
Quantitative research involves gathering numerical data and utilizing mathematical analyses to observe trends, conduct experiments, make predictions, and test hypotheses (Chris, 2021). Examples of this type of research include case studies, experiments, controlled studies, or clinical trials. This method is used primarily in science and medical-based fields. It can also be utilized to keep track of changes over time, for example, how many patrons visit the special collections within a certain amount of time.
Qualitative research involves gathering non-numerical data and identifying patterns in language, theme, and structure to gain an understanding of human experiences (Chris, 2021). Some examples of qualitative research include questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Qualitative methods are descriptive and the most common research approach in the library and information field, due to a majority of the research centering on social science topics. Sometimes a blend of both quantitative & qualitative methods is used to achieve balance in the information gathered.
References
Chris, M.J. (2021). Methodology Section for Research Papers. San José State University Writing Center. https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Methodology.pdf
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). NIMH Guidance on Risk-Based Monitoring. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/clinical-research/nimh-guidance-on-risk-based-monitoring
Powell, R.R. (2018). Research. In K. Haycock & M.J. Romaniuk (Eds.), The portable MLIS: Insights from the experts. Libraries Unlimited.
Presnell, J.L. (2019). The Information-Literate Historian: A Guide to Research for History Students (3rd, ed.). Oxford University Press.
Smallbone, T. & Quinton, S. (2011). A three-stage framework for teaching literature reviews: A new approach. International Journal of Management Education, 9(4). doi:10.3794/ijme.94.337