Why Do People Use Research Methodologies

An assessment of various research methodologies, assessing why a researcher might use these research methodologies and why a researcher might not use the research methodologies. Including whether research methodologies are influenced by ethical principles, validity and reliability are included.

There are two main types of sampling which a researcher could use for their research project: random sampling or snowball sampling. A random sample is where the research questionnaire, interview etc. is handed and completed by any individual. A researcher might use random sampling in order to collect data from all different groups, no matter what their identity (gender, age, sexuality, lifestyle etc.) meaning that they could gain a variety of data. A researcher might not use random sampling as the data collected might not be reliable or valid as one group’s opinion might be represented more than another 's. This could make the results of the research project unreliable and invalid as the outcome does not represent everybody’s opinion. A snowball sample is where the researcher asks participants to pass on a questionnaire, interview question etc. to individual’s …show more content…
A questionnaire/survey includes written questions which a participant can fill in by hand or electronically. A researcher might use questionnaires/surveys as a research method because they are often quick and easy to create and distribute. Also, questionnaires can be useful in exploring the real opinion from participants as questionnaires are often anonymous. Ethical principles in research ensure that all answers are kept anonymous, providing the researcher with richer and more reliable data. A researcher might not use questionnaires/surveys as a research method because participants might not return the questionnaire or forget that it needs to be filled in until after the deadline, effectively reducing the quality and quantity of data