Introduction: 

A dissertation is one of the academic milestones, every student wants to achieve. This may be complex and time-consuming to conduct but it is worth it in the end. Research is the heart of the dissertation. Through this, data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Selecting the appropriate one sets the right tone for the remaining of the work. Every method has its own merits and drawbacks, but the most feasible aligns with the research aim.

Types Of Research Method:

Research methods can be divided into two main types qualitative and quantitative. Both of them are distinct and the choice of it depends on the research objectives.

Qualitative Research:

Through this type of research, you try to understand human behavior in a given situation. We learn more about how and why they interact in a specific manner, and what are their drives and motivations. The following are the common qualitative methods.

Interviews: 

By conducting interviews you gather in-depth information about the participant. You can also observe their behavior while responding to questions. Before conducting interviews, make sure to create a list of the questions you want to ask. As it is a time-consuming process and expensive, one must have a great skill set to conduct interviews.

Observation: 

Through this method, participants are observed in how they interact with others. It can be conducted in various settings such as controlled laboratory environments to real-life scenarios. Although this method might allow the researcher to gather rich and detailed data, findings may be subjected to their own biases

Focus Groups: 

It is like to interviews, but instead of one individual, a group of people (who may share similar characteristics to the topic) are asked questions at the same time. The discussion is open-ended, but there are some predetermined questions that need to be addressed. If this method is used, the data is collected quicker but the effectiveness of the focus group depends upon the expertise of the moderator.

Case Studies: 

This is the most time-consuming method, as you study one individual their unique perspective. This method might not be generalizable to the overall population.

Ethnographic Model: 

In this method, researchers try to study one culture and study how unique this culture is from others. In many cases, they take part in activities to understand the norms first hand.

Quantitative Research: 

With this method, the result is dependent on the collection and analysis of your research question on a numerical basis. It is often started with a specific hypothesis which is tested through statistical analysis. Below are a few types of quantitative research.

Surveys: 

In surveys, participants are asked to fill out a structured questionnaire. It is a widely used method when data is required from a large number of individuals. The survey forms should be easy to understand while avoiding any biases. Try to get help from PhD dissertation writing services to guide you on how to develop one.

Experiments: 

With experimental design, researchers test hypotheses in a controlled environment to study the cause-effect of the variables. Participants are selected randomly and divided into groups to compare the different treatments. For example; to study the effect of music on learning, one group would be asked to listen to music while studying and another to learn without music, and after the experiment, the results would be compared.

Quasi-Experimental Design: 

It is similar to experimental design, however, the main difference is the selection of participants. The participants are recruited based on some of the characteristics related to the topic making it less controlled. With the help of this method, researchers can conduct experiments in real-life situations.

Co-Relational Study: 

Through this method, the main focus is to study the relationship between two or more variables. There can be positive, negative, or even no correlation. While causation may suggest variables are related (association) it does not prove that a change in one may cause another variable to change. For example: the relation between smoking and lung cancer.

With the help of the methods, you might be able to select which is the best for your research.

Importance Of Research Methods In Dissertation:

Research methods play an important role in the dissertation, they are crucial for several reasons.

Validity: 

The validity of research methods extends to which the instrument is accurately measuring what it is supposed to measure. Ensuring validity is important, as it shows the true reflection of the topic being studied rather than any external biases.

Reliability: 

It talks about the consistency of the research tool. If that method is repeated, it should produce a similar result. It is crucial because it ensures that data is not subjected to random errors.

Research Objectives: 

To understand which type of method would suit your research, you should be well-versed with the hypothesis. Along with that research objectives should be specific, clear, and measurable.

Ethical Considerations: 

Whenever you are asking individuals to participate in the research, you must take steps to respect their privacy. Before starting the research, ask them to read and sign the informed consent. In this, you tell about the nature and procedure of the study. How their contribution can play an important part. When you collect their sensitive information, try to keep it safe.

Data Analysis: 

After conducting research, and data collection, analyzing it is the last step. You will extract meaningful insights from the result while using appropriate statistical tools.

Resource Constraints: 

It is important to acknowledge the challenges you faced that might have affected your research i.e. budget or time.

Conclusion: 

Research methods are at the core of this academic journey, guiding the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. It is needed to choose the most appropriate research methods to set the right tone for the research process. In the pursuit of a successful dissertation, the choice and execution of research methods play a pivotal role. They contribute to the quality and reliability of the research, allowing students and researchers to make meaningful contributions.