Research Methodologies

2807 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: An Eassy About Surveying

Introduction

The most probably used research method is a survey. The production of knowledge depends on the methodologies used for collecting, storing and analyzing dataset and one of these techniques is survey. A survey is an investigation of one or more characteristics of a population. Most often, surveys are carried out on people by asking them questions. The most common types of surveys are done by interview, mail, or telephone.

A survey is a means of gathering information about the characteristics, actions, or opinions of a large group of people, referred to as a population (Tanur, 1982). Most people are familiar with three uses of survey techniques: the measurement of public opinion for newspaper and magazine articles, the measurement of political perceptions and opinions to help political candidates in elections, and market research designed to understand consumer preferences and interests. Each of these well-developed programs of survey research is aimed primarily at tapping the subjective feelings of the public.

In survey research, the scope of study is defined by using independent and dependent variables, which the researcher cannot explicitly control, or change. Like all measures in all science, survey measurement is not error free. The procedures used to conduct a survey have a major effect on the likelihood that the resulting data will describe accurately what they are intended to describe. A sample survey brings together three different methodologies: sampling, designing questions, and data collection. Each of these activities has many applications outside of sample surveys, but their combination is essential to good survey design.

This paper examines the quality of survey research, the pros and ...

... middle of paper ...

...k: John Wiley and Sons.

Shaath, K. (2002). The present and future of policy-based storage management. SMS, 7(5), 55.

Simon, M. K., & Francis, J. B. (1998). The dissertation cookbook: A practical guide to start and complete your dissertation. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.

Stewart, T., & Kaufman, D. (1995). Getting Real About BrainPower. Retrieved April 26, 2010 from the World Wide Web: http://www.pathfinder.com/fortune/1997/970317/cap.html

Tanur, J.M. (1982). Behavioral and Social Science Research: A National Resource. Part II. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press.

Williams, R. (2004). Electronic record management survey: A call to action. Chicago: Cohasset, Inc.

Wong, K. Y. & Aspinwall, E. (2005). An empirical study of the important factors for knowledge-management adoption in the SME sector. Journal of Knowledge Management 9(3), 64-83.

Show More
Related

  • Georgina’s Struggle for Freedom in The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover

    4618 Words  | 10 Pages

    Schneider, David J. Social Psychology. University of Texas, San Antonio. Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1976.

    Read More

  • The Reliability of Eyewitness Testimony

    952 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...onson, E., Wilson, T.D., & Akert, R.M. (2013). Social Psychology (8th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.

    Read More

  • Statistical Methods: Analysis and Conclusions

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    This first question is the easy question and i made my mind on what methods i should pick. I pick a convenience methods even despite the flaws of creating a bias in result of an incompleted conclusion and this convenience methods also it may not represent the views of others student. But the methods itself is very lazy but the way to get people to do the survey by being up in their face and surveying two hunderd out of five thousand student that come to the liberty, really

    Read More

  • Essay On Athletic Coping Skills

    2157 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...d for consent to proceed with the study. The participants were given thorough instructions that at any during the survey you can withdrawal your participation in the research, and that this is to benefit research to society. Participation is this survey was voluntary was emphasized. Participants were told that the surveys should take no longer than fifteen minutes and the personal information will remain confidential their results may be shared, but for research purposes only. The questionnaire will have a demographic sheet and a 50 item questionnaire divided into two sections. One part has a four point Likert scale (0= Almost Never, 1=Sometimes, 2= Often, 3 =Almost Always) and the other part is a selection of A or B. It was also reiterated that the participants had the right to withdraw from the research study at any time; there will be no consequences or penalty.

    Read More

  • Prosocial Behavior

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2014). Social psychology (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

    Read More

  • Native Canadians

    1136 Words  | 3 Pages

    Piotrowski, Nancy A., and Tracy Georges. Magill's encyclopedia of social science: psychology Volume 3. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem Press, 2003. Print.

    Read More

  • Exploring Evidence Based Practice

    2861 Words  | 6 Pages

    Kelley, K et al. (2003). Good practice in the conduct and reporting of survey research. Oxford Journal. 15 (3): 261-266.

    Read More

  • Research Methods

    654 Words  | 2 Pages

    For everything that occurs, there will somehow be something that caused the action to happen. It is more of a cause and effect ideal or simple a reaction to an action. In terms of research academics, independent and dependent variables are concepts or attributes to certain things that occur such as drug use, crime, or domestic abuse. For example, stress or other personal problems may lead to someone to use drugs. Also, poverty may lead someone to commit crime. In addition, a power controlled individual may cause a partnership to suffer physical or verbal abuse.

    Read More

  • The Cognitive Revolution and Scientific Study of Psychology

    1735 Words  | 4 Pages

    Robins R.W, Gosling S.D & Craik R.H (1999) An Empirical Analysis of Trends in Psychology. American psychologists, 54,(2), 117-128

    Read More

  • Human Resource Development Essay

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    The right side of the survey is that it is cost effective as it does not have to spend lot of money in getting the survey done. Secondly is that is easy to administer and control. Thirdly is that surveys are very useful in describing the characteristic of a large population overall as there is no other research method that can have such a broad capacity provided. This would ensure that accurate sample is gather which is important for drawing the conclusion and make wise decision of what trainin...

    Read More

  • Voice in Democracy

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    As a basic definition, public opinion is the collection of beliefs and ideals of groups of people on certain issues which are relevant to the government. This concept is gauged through a series of traits measuring importance, susceptibility to change, intensity and direction. One of the most common ways to ascertain public opinion is to take a poll. A poll is when a small group of people, representative of a larger group are asked their opinion on an issue or event. Because the entire population is not being asked, however, the poll can be easily distorted. To counter this, political scientists often use a random sample, allowing each member of the population an equal chance of being chosen.

    Read More

  • Data Collection and Analysis: Questionnaire

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    Data Collection and Analysis Questionnaire The research was carried out on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. It began with a quantitative approach—questionnaire. Bryman and Bell (2003) asserted that mail or postal questionnaires are the most popular forms of questionnaires. Another form—self-completion questionnaire—was also common because of the overlap with postal questionnaire to some extent.

    Read More

  • Quantitative And Qualitative Research Strategies

    916 Words  | 2 Pages

    “[A] research method or research methods are needed to collect data” (Bryman, 2012, p. 46). Examples for research methods are content analysis, focus groups, structured interviews, self-completion

    Read More

  • Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

    1696 Words  | 4 Pages

    In this paper, I will define quantitative and qualitative research methods and provide examples in the context of social issues which will hopefully provide insight into how this methods are properly applied.

    Read More

  • The Pros and Cons of Social Surveys in Sociological Research

    931 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Advantages and Limitations of Social Surveys in Sociological Research To survey something, is to carry out a systematic overview so that a researcher can produce a comprehensive general report on it. Survey method is often used by positivist sociologists seeking to test their hypotheses, and to investigate causes and examine variables. As with every other sociological research, survey has its own advantages and limitations. Positivist research, which is in the scientific tradition, begins with a hypothesis that can be either confirmed or rejected according to the data collected. One of the significant advantages of survey method is that, it can be used to collect data that is a representative of a larger population.

    Read More

More about Research Methodologies

Open Document