Sociology

The choice of a research method is highly a critical task and it revolves around a number of pertinent issues. However, there are so many factors which come into playing when choosing and designing your research strategy or method. First and foremost, the research question and its nature takes  a very fundamental position in defining the kind of research to be undertaken the strategies appropriate in defining and deciding on your research strategy (Richard, 2002, 144, p. 144)

Additionally, other very pertinent issues which are equally important emerge as key factors in the process of choosing and selecting a research method. Time available, the richness of the budget and consequently ethics are key and fundamental considerations in deciding on the nature of a research method to adopt.

A research method is therefore seen as the practical plan or scheme for evaluating and generating data especially when studying a specific research topic. It is however defined as that methodological principle or thinking behind any social inquiry. Therefore, the need to carefully make an earlier decision about your research is of great significance especially to the subject of investigation (Ringer, 2004, p. 36). This  earlier decision in turn prompts and leads researcher  towards finding out the requisite data required to accomplish hisher study, where and how to achieve the data.

It is highly important to establish the link between, type of data, method of data collection, and the method of data analysis. All these factors revolve around understanding the nature of your research method. Knowing and defining clearly your research method helps the researcher to even define his or her methods of data collection and the type of data required to answer a particular research topic of interest (Ringer, 2004, p. 39).

However, it is also good to realize that some methods work better on certain given areas than others.  For instance, some methods are said to be too applicable to quantitative research while others are said to equally suit qualitative research. For instance, questionnaires are said to be more quantitative while interviews on the other hand are perceived as qualitative. Under all circumstances a researcher should be able to understand and explain the reasons behind choosing a particular research method.

However, there is no right or a wrong method of carrying out an investigation. All methods are equally significant but for a particular research topic one method of carrying out an investigation is equally appropriate and more suitable than any other
(Elinor, 2000, p. 10). In addition, all   the stated facts on the factors which influence the choice of a research question and the nature of information to be gathered forms the most fundamental principle to be adopted in choosing and selecting an appropriate way of carrying out an investigation.

As a researcher it is very important to delve into literature in order to unravel the gaps which exist in literature as a major way of defining clearly the research topic and consequently the research method to be employed. The type of data a researcher aims at collecting is actually the most principle determinant of the research methods to be engaged (Elinor, 2000, p. 14).  The nature of the information to be collected again defines the nature of data analysis procedures to be applied simply because the two processes go hand in hand. For instance, in social sciences the nature of information to be gathered by far determines the nature of methods and strategies to be deployed.

Pertinent topics or research problems will seek to be addressed in different special ways. For instance, when carrying out an ethnographic study of a given culture, qualitative methods of research become the most applicable in carrying out such kind of an investigation (Ringer, 2004, p.42). The choice of this method is highly dependent on the nature of information to be gathered. For instance, a researcher carrying out an ethnographic study would wish to delve more into the history and origin of apeople in order to unravel great insights about their lifestyles. However, in order to draw  these basic facts about apeople the researcher needs to choose appropriate methods which would enhance exploration and interactions so that he she can adequately gather relevant and yet adequate data.

Therefore, in this due respect, the researcher will go for participatory research methods such as participant and non- participant observations in order to fully engage himherself and draw sufficiently enough data. Other relevant methods in this capacity would include methods such as structured and unstructured interviews which enhance thorough interrogation (Richard, 2002, 146). The choice of a research method in this capacity will also influence the method of data analysis. Following the kind of data collected researchers in ethnographic research will engage basic methods of data analysis such as narrative descriptions coupled with and interspersed with excerpts and quotes.

Additionally, the kind of data to be collected is highly important is defining and selecting the research methods to be employed. Highly sensitive and yet volatile data will call for more sensitive research methods in order to safeguard the welfare of the research participants (Ringer, 2004, p. 46). The data to be collected helps the researcher to highlight the most sensitive ethical considerations which should safeguard the welfare of the research assistants. However, the kind of data to be collected will also influence the research budget and the time to be consumed in carrying out the investigation. For instance, when carrying out an ethnographic study over a long period of time, the data collected will date back into history and this may require more time and resources in order to unravel the truths.

Consequently this will also influence the methods to be employed in gathering data. It has been argued out that different methods used in research are more appropriate and suitable to various types of research and they serve best in carrying out specific kinds of investigations. However, each method represents a different perspective of perceiving social reality (Elinor, 2000, p.12). Participant and non participant observations help us to view reality in a more different perspective as compared to in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and the like.

The choice of an appropriate research method to carry on your investigations is thus highly important in defining other more important aspects in carrying on the study. The nature of information to be gathered is equally important as a factor which highly influences the choice of a research method. Although there are other pertinent factors which come into play, social psychologist have always debated on this fact over and over years.