Research methods are the systematic approaches, tools, and techniques researchers use to collect, analyze, and interpret information. They shape how a study is conducted and help ensure findings are credible and meaningful. This section includes key resources to help you get started, understand and apply different research methods in your own work.
Information about research methods and design; includes Sage Datasets and Sage Cases, and the qualitative and quantitative methods series, "Little Green Books" and “Little Blue Books.”
Teaching cases in which a variety of research methods are used in a number of social sciences subject areas. Cases are incorporated into Sage Research Methods Online.
Designs for Research, Teaching and Learning
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Quantitative Research:
Focuses on numbers and measurable data.
Uses structured tools like surveys with closed-ended questions, experiments, or statistical analyses.
Answers questions like how many, how much, how often, to what extent.
Results are usually presented in charts, tables, and statistics.
Qualitative Research:
Focuses on understanding meaning, experiences, or perspectives.
Uses open-ended methods like interviews, focus groups, observations, and content analysis.
Answers questions like why, how, in what ways.
Results are typically presented as themes, narratives, or quotes.
Example: Interviewing students to understand why they attend (or don’t attend) library workshops.
In short:
Quantitative = numbers, measurement, breadth
Qualitative = words, meaning, depth
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|
Quantitative Research |
Qualitative Research |
|
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Numerical data, measurement | Meanings, experiences, perspectives |
| Purpose | To quantify variables and identify patterns | To explore depth, context, and understanding |
| Research Questions | “How many?” “How much?” “How often?” “To what extent?” | “Why?” “How?” “In what ways?” |
| Data Collection Methods | Surveys with closed-ended questions, experiments, structured observations | Interviews, focus groups, open-ended surveys, observations, document analysis |
| Type of Data | Numbers and statistics | Words, narratives, themes |
| Analysis | Statistical analysis, graphs, correlations, averages | Thematic analysis, coding, narrative interpretation |
| Sample Size | Larger samples to generalize findings | Smaller samples for depth and detail |
| Outcomes | Generalizable results, measurable trends | Rich descriptions, deeper insights |
| Example | Surveying 200 students to measure attendance rates at workshops | Interviewing 10 students to understand why they attend workshops |