Question

In Chapter 2 we discussed several types of research methods. Please provide an definition and an example of the following methods: Observational Research, Archival Research, Experimental Research and Ethnographic Research

Answer 1

Research is a systematic investigation into and study in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions

Observational research in which the researchers observe the subject and study behavior by just observing the change in behavior that occurs naturally. It involves observing a shoppers behavior while shopping or window shopping it is done in such a pattern that the subject does not come to know that the behavior is being observed. Observational research can be done by another method like making the subject aware that they are being observed, the reaction will not be natural because the subject is aware that he or she is being observed by someone. Thus disguised observation is less reactive as the subject is unaware that he or she is being watched and the reactions are natural.

The example is grocery shopping where the observer can observe his subject's reaction and record it without the knowledge of the subject, it will be a natural behavior.

If a person is made aware that his behavior is being watched, his behavior will be different, but over time the subject becomes used to it and the behavior becomes natural.

It gives an overall picture of the behavior of the people under different circumstances whether it is social, religious, The researcher focuses on every reaction of the subject, There are any number of environment where an observer can observe, like walking on the road, in a classroom atmosphere, during discussions, arguments, happiness or under sad situations.

Archival Research is one where the data is collected prior to starting a research by collecting the information that can be linked to an individual or to an institution it is important because they provide evidence of activities about the subject one is researching. There are many types of archives that contain information and can be accessed by people. Like corporate archives, Government archives, Historical archives, religious and special collection institution. These archives collect valuable information like letters, materials, books, and paper holding historical significant, or materials on various faith that can be accessed by people. Records of patients and their history

The good example is a psychologist looking for the records of patients in the mental hospital prior to 1900 for his research on various mental illness and the remedies used at that time.  

Experimental research: It is conducted with a scientific approach where the scientist actively influences something to observe the consequences. The research is done with the intention to improve the lives in general; it requires planning and norms to be followed. It depends on a range of factors like feasibility, time, cost, ethics, and the complications and difficulties that would be associated with the experiment. To get the result the participants are divided into various groups like control groups for measurement effects, The experiment is carried out by manipulating a variable it is called the independent variables and its effects on the experimental group.

The best example is the blood test in the pathological laboratory.

Ethnographic research: It is a qualitative research method of collecting analyzing, and interpreting from the information collected by observation, the questions that cannot be answered through quantitative measures, they are answered through qualitative methods that are called ethnography., it covers many aspects of our social life like, marriages, bullying, or how a lady should act in all man-dominated society. It is designed to study culture and its effect it includes routines and practice and discussion of their environment, It is a long time study where the researcher has to study the community and its reaction to the new ideology and their response.

The best example is the marriage factor that why in certain communities the girls are married before the age of 15.