This week proved to be rather interesting. For starters, I did learn that a diary can be used to collect data for research purposes. I haven't had any experience with research before [as I have with this course], but I would say it was good to learn this new method. Something that I would have very much liked to see in my paper, was a sample of the structure of the diary that they used to carry out their study.
After the seminar and some reading, I developed somewhat of an interest in Semiotics. Semiotics is the study of signs, images, gestures, physical objects, acts, sounds.
Overall, I learnt that it is possible for a researcher to carry out a purely qualitative research using the various methods such as diaries [as mentioned in my previous post], interviews, observation, content analysis. However, I believe that these methods have to supplement each other therefore giving a bigger picture and a better understanding of the study.
Hello Bridget! One of your claims posted here is that research methods should be mixed in order to give a better understanding of the study. In my view this shouldn't be considered as a rule, as some studies might not require the employment of both research methods (that is, qualitative and quantitative) at all.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that it's up to the researcher to ask himself/herself what research method could make the study more reliable and objective. Forcing oneself to employ both research methods at any cost, just because it becomes popular and valuable, could also lower the quality of a given study. Do you agree with this statement?
Hello Bart. I do agree that the research methods to be employed in a study are totally dependent on the researcher...and I believe, the type of study that is being conducted. Perhaps, I wasn't clear about it, but I'm not insisting that researcher use mixed methods every time they intend to carry out a study. My only claim was that using mixed methods in research gives the study better grounding: a better understanding and broader perspective of the study.
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