UNIT 2 – RESEARCH METHODSUNIT 2 – RESEARCH METHODSKEY TERMS DEFINEDKEY TERMS DEFINED

TERM DEFINITION IN YOUR OWN WORDS

2 SOURCES2 SOURCES

(WEB LINKS, BOOKS)(WEB LINKS, BOOKS)Strengths of this MethodStrengths of this Method Weaknesses of the Weaknesses of the

MethodMethod

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

This is when research is on the subjects own opinions instead of information and facts about the research.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_research

Media communication and production

The strengths of qualitative research is that you can track down, defining patterns, within factors consisting of abstract interrelations acknowledged from investigations of surveys and data. The practical use of qualitative research is that the research data is normally collected in naturalistic settings. Also uses minimum amount of money and time even when using commercial agencies.

The weakness of this method is when using public samples as representatives of research, they Fail to generalise the whole of the population as a result of using small samples to accumulate research.

Another weakness of this method is that, Qualitative studies usually have fewer participants than quantitative studies because the depth of the data collection does not allow for large numbers of participants. Another weakness is the method takes longer to do as it is time consuming.

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Quantitative research includes surveys and customer questionnaires . This research helps to improve customer satisfaction for each product and enables large distributors to improve products by making informed decisions.

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/quantitative-research.html

Media communication and production

Quantitative research suggests that the bigger the research the bigger the number of participants which that more focus is used, the better the research. This is because they focus on a number of quantities. Although it is also proven that the smaller the size of participants the more focused and accurate the results are.

The weakness of quantitative research is that, Quantitative researchers collect data on more participants, so it is not possible to have the depth and breadth of knowledge about each unlike qualitative.

Another weakness is that as quantitative researchers gather facts and statistics on more participants is a difficult as they would not have enough information about each one.

UNIT 2 – RESEARCH METHODSUNIT 2 – RESEARCH METHODSKEY TERMS DEFINEDKEY TERMS DEFINED

TERMTERMDEFINITION DEFINITION

IN YOUR OWN IN YOUR OWN WORDSWORDS

2 SOURCES2 SOURCES

(WEB LINKS, BOOKS)(WEB LINKS, BOOKS)Strengths of this MethodStrengths of this Method Weaknesses of the MethodWeaknesses of the Method

PRIMARY RESEARCH

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_research

The strengths for primary research is that the method is easy as it is set out to gather information. An example for this is a survey to find out the needs for organizations. This method also has control on how the information should be carried out. Also information which has been collected can be hidden from competitors.

The weaknesses for this method is that it is time consuming . The process takes longer to do and can also be expensive as it costs more to carry out research.

Another weakness is that some projects can be too big to be carried out by companies.

SECONDARYRESEARCH

http://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/term/82616.html

The strengths for secondary research is that the method is easy and quick. This is because it saves time to go and ask for personal opinions. This method it can save time and does also cost cheaper to do by using printed indices. It also avoids difficulties which may occur for data collection, but instead give a basis for comparison.

The weaknesses for secondary research is that you may be using the in correct information given. It is normally laid out in a way, which meets what the marketers wants. Such as a marketers want to find out what kind of products people are interested in.

Primary research is experiment which is being carried out to find out information.

Secondary research is research and information which is on the internet for people to use.

UNIT 2 – RESEARCH METHODSKEY TERMS DEFINED

INTERVIEWS

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/interview.html

They provide relatively high responses from individuals making data more accurate and valid. They give information in detail and depth.

However interviews can also be done through e- mail and Tele phone , this method is quick and easy and quick to do.

The disadvantages for in- person interviews are that they can be long and normally cost more. Interviewees may miss out the important and main information which is an disadvantage as they can have poor self awareness. However another weakness is that interviews answers can lack and not be in the best standards.

QUESTIONNAIRES

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=questionnaire

The strengths for questionnaires is that the method is easy and quick to do in a way to collect information. The advantages is that open and close questions can help provide information from correspondents in their own words and opinions. This however helps people in different groups as probability samples making it’s out comes of results high in reliability and validity.

The weaknesses are that questionnaires are that people may rush questionnaires by not answering them properly. This is an disadvantage as people can miss out important information which needs to be collected.

They also have to be kept short as people would not be willing to fill in long questionnaires.

TERMTERM DEFINITION DEFINITION

IN YOUR OWN WORDSIN YOUR OWN WORDS

2 SOURCES2 SOURCES

(WEB LINKS, (WEB LINKS, BOOKS)BOOKS)

Strengths of this Method Weaknesses of the MethodWeaknesses of the Method

James Watson and Anne Hill

An interview is an discussion between two people.

Questionnaires have questions which needs to be filled in order to collect information, facts and statistics.

UNIT 2 – RESEARCH METHODSUNIT 2 – RESEARCH METHODSKEY TERMS DEFINEDKEY TERMS DEFINED

TERM DEFINITION IN YOUR OWN

WORDS

2 SOURCES2 SOURCES

(WEB LINKS, BOOKS)(WEB LINKS, BOOKS)Strengths of this MethodStrengths of this Method Weaknesses of the MethodWeaknesses of the Method

FOCUS GROUPShttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/focus-group.html

The strengths for focus groups are that the method is beneficial for exploring concepts as well as ideas. It also allows you to find out the opinions from participants and has quick turn around.

Were as the weaknesses for this method is it is expensive as it can cost more at times. It can also include a lot of data which is not needed for the method. However another disadvantage is that participants may feel as they are being observed and would not work in the best of their standards.

Focus groups are when opinions are needed from a sample of people in a way to collect data.