Question

a) List the advantages and the disadvantages of each of the following research techniques

i. Quantitative research

ii. Experiment

b) Differentiate between the following;

i. Basic research and applied research

ii. Research method and Research methodology

c) Briefly describe the research process

d) Often Information Technologists and other Engineers focus on the best technology but forget about the social aspect.
Why are the issues of Privacy, Discoverability, Openness, and Publicity issues relevant to Information Technologist?

Answer 1

a)

i)

Quantitative research is research that is based on objective facts, statistics and numerical data. For example, if you wanted to determine the amount of fertilizer that best helps a petunia grow, you would measure the amounts of fertilizer and calculate the amount of plant growth over time for each amount of fertilizer. This type of research is based firmly in numbers and clear, concrete, measurable facts.

Quantitative data has several advantages. One major one is that the outcome of quantitative research is easy to measure and the results can be clearly shown through objective data. It is harder to argue with the results of quantitative research than qualitative research, which is based more on observation and less on numerical data. It can also be easier to make predictions based on quantitative data because of its numerical basis. The ability to expand quantitative data into predictions is a major advantage.

One disadvantage of quantitative data is that it cannot be used to explain social phenomena, which makes it less useful in fields like sociology. Quantitative data can tell you what is happening, but it cannot give any insight into why. For this kind of insight, you need the observation-based qualitative research. Quantitative research cannot account for non-numerical information, such as human emotions, beliefs or imaginations.

ii)

Benefits and Advantages:

• Experimental research is the most appropriate way for drawing causal conclusions, regarding interventions or treatments and establishing whether or not one or more factors causes a change in an outcome. This is largely due to the emphasis in controlling extraneous variables. If other variables are controlled, the researcher can say with confidence that manipulation independent variable caused a changed in the dependent variable.
• It is a basic, straightforward, efficient type of research that can be applied across a variety of disciplines.
• Experimental research designs are repeatable and therefore, results can be checked and verified.
• Due to the controlled environment of experimental research, better results are often achieved.
• In the case of laboratory research, conditions not found in a natural setting can be created in an experimental setting that allows for greater control of extraneous variables. Conditions that may take longer to occur in a natural environment may occur more quickly in an experimental setting.
• There are many variations of experimental research and the researcher can tailor the experiment while still maintaining the validity of the design.

Limitations and Disadvantages:

• Experimental research can create artificial situations that do not always represent real-life situations. This is largely due to fact that all other variables are tightly controlled which may not create a fully realistic situation.
• Because the situations are very controlled and do not often represent real life, the reactions of the test subjects may not be true indicators of their behaviors in a non-experimental environment.
• Human error also plays a key role in the validity of the project as discussed in previous modules.
• It may not be really possible to control all extraneous variables. The health, mood, and life experiences of the test subjects may influence their reactions and those variables may not even be known to the researcher.
• The research must adhere to ethical standards in order to be valid. These will be discussed in the next module of this series.
• Experimental research designs help to ensure internal validity but sometimes at the expense of external validity. When this happens, the results may not be generalizable to the larger population.
• If an experimental study is conducted in its natural environment, such as a hospital or community, it may not be possible to control the extraneous variables.
• Experimental research is a powerful tool for determining or verifying causation, but it typically cannot specify “why” the outcome occurred.

b)

i)

The points given below explain the differences between basic and applied research:

1. Basic Research can be explained as research that tries to expand the already existing scientific knowledge base. On the contrary, applied research is used to mean the scientific study that is helpful in solving real-life problems.
2. While basic research is purely theoretical, applied research has a practical approach.
3. The applicability of basic research is greater than the applied research, in the sense that the former is universally applicable whereas the latter can be applied only to the specific problem, for which it was carried out.
4. The primary concern of the basic research is to develop scientific knowledge and predictions. On the other hand, applied research stresses on the development of technology and technique with the help of basic science.
5. The fundamental goal of the basic research is to add some knowledge to the already existing one. Conversely, applied research is directed towards finding a solution to the problem under consideration.

ii)

The differences between research method and research methodology can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:

1. The research method is defined as the procedure or technique applied by the researcher to undertake research. On the other hand, research methodology is a system of methods, used scientifically for solving the research problem.
2. The research method is nothing but the behaviour or tool, employed in selecting and building research technique. Conversely, research methodology implies the science of analysing, the manner in which research is conducted appropriately.
3. The research method is concerned with carrying out experiment, test, surveys, interviews, etc. As against this, research methodology is concerned with learning various techniques which can be employed in the performance of experiment, test or survey.
4. Research method covers various investigation techniques. Unlike, research methodology, which consists of complete approach aligned towards the attainment of purpose.
5. Research method intends to discover the solution to the problem at hand. In contrast, research methodology aspires to apply appropriate procedures, with a view to ascertaining solutions.

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