Types of Research Methodology: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mix Method

There are three types of social research methodologies based on their designs: quantitative, qualitative
and combined. Each research design consists of several types. This post will discuss the types of research
designs derived from three types of research methodologies. The term design type is often interpreted
as a type of research. Therefore, the types and types here will not be distinguished. The main source of
this paper is a book by John W. Creswell entitled "Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mix
Method".

Before continuing, I also need to summarize the understanding of the methodology in this paper so that
the explanation conveyed is not ambiguous or vague. The methodology here can be understood in three
interrelated dimensions, namely (1) the research approach adopted as a research design, (2) the
approach used to collect data or data analysis techniques, (3) the process of data analysis.

Using a definition that includes these three dimensions, the methodology here is broader in scope than
the method. Once again, the type of research methodology is understood in the three dimensional
framework above. Explanation of each type of methodology in this post will go directly to the types. If
the reader wants to explore what quantitative, qualitative and combined research can be, visit this link
because we directly discuss the type of research methodology.

Quantitative Method
Quantitative research is a research method that emphasizes the aspect of measuring objectively the
social phenomena. To measure, each social phenomenon is described in terms of several problem
components, variables and indicators. The purpose of quantitative research is to develop and use
mathematical models, theories or hypotheses relating to natural phenomena. The measurement
process is the central part of quantitative research, because it provides a fundamental relationship
between empirical observations and mathematical expressions of quantitative relations.

Quantitative research is widely used both in the natural sciences, and social sciences, such as in physics
and biology to sociology and journalism.

1. Experimental Method

This type of method is used when researchers want to know the results of a particular treatment or
treatment of a community group to make a recommendation or evaluation of a policy. Experimental
research uses one group that will receive treatment, and one or more other groups that do not receive
treatment. The results of the study are the results of a comparison between two or several groups. If the
results between the groups that received treatment and those who did not receive treatment were
relatively the same, then the treatment or policy or treatment applied could be said to be ineffective.
However, if the results are significantly different, it means that the treatment is effective.
2. Survey Method

The survey method is also called the non-experimental quantitative research method. This type of
research is used when researchers want to know the results of analysis of trends, behavior or opinions
of the population by conducting a study of a sample of that population. Survey methods include cross-
sectional and longitudinal studies in which data collection uses questionnaires or structured interviews.
Data collected is processed where the final conclusions are the result of generalization.

3. Descriptive Method

According to Whitne (1960), descriptive method is a fact finding using the correct interpretation. In this
study, learning about the problems that exist in society and also the procedures used in the community
and in certain situations.

Descriptive research is a type of method that describes an object and subject that are being studied
without engineering. Including regarding the relationship of activities, views, attitudes and processes
that influence in a phenomenon that occurs.

4. Comparative Method

The comparative method is often carried out on the type of research that leads to differences in the
variables in an aspect being studied. In this study, there was no manipulation of the researchers, until
the data was truly accurate.

This research was conducted as natural as possible by collecting data with an order. And the results can
be analyzed statistically to find a difference in the variable being studied.

5. Correlation Method

It is a method of research carried out with the aim of describing two or more facts and also the
properties of the object being studied.

This study was conducted to compare between similarities with differences or facts based on existing
frameworks so that the results can be clearly seen.

6. True Experiment Method

Secured as a True Experiment Method because we can control all external variables that exist, and can
affect the course of the experiment.

The main characteristic of the True Experiment Method is that the samples used to conduct experiments
can be drawn randomly from certain populations.

7. Quasi Experiment Method

The design and design in the Quasi Experiment Method has a control group that can help the research
process, but does not function fully because it controls external variables that still influence the conduct
of the experiment.

8. Single Subject Method

In the Single Subject Method often referred to as "single subject experimental" ie this experiment is
usually carried out on subjects with only a single number.

Qualitative Method
The main objective of qualitative research is to understand social phenomena or phenomena by
focusing more on a complete picture of the phenomenon being studied rather than detailing it into
interrelated variables. The hope is to obtain a deep understanding of the phenomena to further produce
a theory. Because the objectives are different from quantitative research, the procedures for data
acquisition and the types of qualitative research are also different.

There are at least 7 types of qualitative research, namely ethnography, case studies, document studies,
natural observations, phenomenology, grounded theory, historical research. The following is a brief
description of each type of research.

1. Ethnography

Ethnography is a very in-depth study of behavior that occurs naturally in a culture or a particular social
group to understand a particular culture from the perspective of the culprit. Experts call it field research,
because it is carried out in the field in a natural setting. Researchers observe the behavior of a person or
group as it is. Data obtained from observation is very deep so it requires a long time in the field, in-
depth interviews with members of cultural groups, studying documents or artifacts observant. Unlike
other types of qualitative research where data is usually analyzed after the completion of data collection
in the field, ethnographic research data is analyzed in the field according to the context or situation that
occurred at the time the data was collected. Ethnographic research is anthropological because of its
methodological roots of anthropology. Educational experts can use ethnography to research about
education in suburban schools or schools in the middle of the city.

2. Case Studies

Case studies are in-depth studies of individuals, one group, one organization, one program of activities,
and so on in a given time. The goal is to obtain a complete and deep description of an entity. Case
studies produce data for subsequent analysis to produce theory. As with qualitative research data
acquisition procedures, case study data were obtained from interviews, observations, and archives. Case
studies can be used to examine schools in the middle of a city where students achieve exceptional
academic achievement.

3. Document Studies
Study documents or texts are studies that focus on the analysis or interpretation of written material
based on the context. Materials can be published notes, text books, newspapers, magazines, letters,
films, diaries, manuscripts, articles, and the like. To gain high credibility, document researchers must be
sure that the texts are authentic. This type of research can also explore the thoughts of a person
contained in published books or texts. Educators use this research method to study the level of
readability of a text, or to determine the level of attainment of understanding of a particular topic of a
text.

4. Natural Observation

Natural observation is a type of qualitative research by conducting comprehensive observations on a

particular setting without the slightest change. The main goal is to observe and understand the behavior
of a person or group of people in certain situations. For example, how a person behaves when he is in a
discussion group whose members come from different social backgrounds. And, how is his behavior if he
is in a homogeneous group. Researchers use hidden cameras or other instruments that are completely
unknown to the observed person (subject). Researchers can observe a group of children when playing
with friends to understand their social interaction behavior.

5. Fenomenology

This type of research is used by researchers who want to investigate a phenomena from the perspective
of an individual or several individuals who experience it. The design of this research originated from the
study of philosophy and psychology, often also used in sociology studies. Descriptions of the
phenomena based on the experiences of several participants were collected and analyzed. Usually
phenmenological research data are obtained through a process of in-depth interviews.

6. Grounded Theory

This type of research is mostly done in sociology research. Grounded means the researcher makes a
description, theory about the process, action, or interaction that comes purely from the participant. The
perspective or theory in the researcher's head is released before going to the field. This research process
uses several stages of data collection and strategy in categorizing information or data obtained.

7. Historical Research

Namely research that has a focus of research in the form of events that have passed and carry out
reconstruction of the past with the source of data or historical witnesses that still exist today. The
source of the data can be obtained from various historical records, artifacts, verbal reports, and living
witnesses that can be accounted for the truth of the testimony. Because it examines events that have
passed, the hallmark of historical research is time; where the phenomenon is seen developments or
changes based on time shifts.

Another feature of the historical method is that research studies depend more on the observations of
other people who have already done research, not just the observational data of the researcher himself.
In addition, the source of the data used must be objective, systematic, accurate, and authentic that can
be accounted for truthfully and come from the right source. Because the historical method has a time-
based concept, it is necessary to pay close attention to the order of events and the times in detail and
clearly

Mix Method
Mixed methods are research approaches involving quantitative and qualitative data, combining two
forms of data, and the use of different designs, which can involve philosophical assumptions and
theoretical frameworks. The core assumption of this form of research is the combination of qualitative
and quantitative approaches that provide a more complete understanding than just one approach in the
formulation of research problems.

1. Parallel-convergent

A parallel-convergent combined method design is a research design that is used by converging

qualitative and quantitative data to produce a comprehensive analysis. With this research design,
researchers collect two types of data at relatively the same time, then integrate the two data. The
results of his research could be in the form of confirmation or contradiction between the two data
collected.

2. Explanation

Explanative mixed method design is quantitative data collected and analyzed first, then supplemented
with qualitative data. This type is called explanation because qualitative data provides a further
explanation of the quantitative data collected from the beginning. This type of study is quite popular
among quantitative method experts who treat qualitative data as a supplement.

3. Exploration

Contrary to the type of explanation, the type of explorative mixed method applies qualitative analysis
first, then complements the findings with quantitative analysis. The qualitative data collection phase is
usually used as an instrument to take a representative sample from the study conducted, or as an
instrument to develop specific and relevant variables.

4. Transformative

The transformative combined method design is used when researchers use a theoretical lens oriented to
the ideal concept of social justice and power in analyzing the qualitative and quantitative data collected.
This type is called transformative because it involves the researcher's mission to create the social
transformation of the people under study, namely the creation of social justice.