What are the specific methods appropriate to the project or thesis?

Specific methods appropriate to the project or thesis include:

Quantitative Methods

Experimental Designs: 

In this method, the researcher can control the independent variable and can randomly assign subjects to groups. The focus is on identifying cause and effect. For additional information, the classic text by Campbell & Stanley,(1%3) is cited. Causal-Comparative Research: This type of research uses two or more groups of subjects that differ on a categorical variable as sex, ethnicity, or classroom assignment. The focus is on identifying potential causes of the differences or the consequences of the differences. This type of research provides much weaker evidence for causation than does experimental research. Because the differences in the groups occurred prior to the research, it is often referred to as ex-post facto (after the fact) type research.

Surveys: 

This research method aims to assess the characteristics of whole populations of people. The focus is on gathering a small amount of information from a large number of people. The information is gathered by a structured interview or close-ended questionnaire and the information collected is typically transformed into a quantitative format.

Questionnaires: 

This method asks subjects questions in written form. Questions are typically close-ended. When open-ended questions are used, qualitative information is transformed into quantitative data by coding answers into categories which are numbered.

Qualitative Methods Field Observation: 

This method gathers information through direct observation of a situation. It has the advantage of being able to collect information that is so commonplace as to be overlooked or so sensitive that subjects would be willing to discuss it.

Ethnographic: 

This research, typically using field observation.

interviews: 

This method utilizes face-to-face open-ended questioning of subjects by the researcher to gain information that cannot be obtained by observation such as thoughts, feelings, intentions, meanings, behavior in private situations, etc. Interviews can be unstructured or semi-structured.

Theoretical Research: 

This type of research identifies some aspect of a theory that no longer satisfactorily explains a phenomenon and proposes a modification to an existing theory or proposes a new theory that explains

a diverse range of phenomenon.

Historical Research:

The study of an event or events in the distant past by analysis of written documents from that time period. The purpose is to present an objective reconstruction of what occurred in relationship to a theory. A new theory may be proposed.

Project Methods

Specific methods appropriate to the master’s or bachelor’s project include: all methods acceptable for the masters are also acceptable for the bachelor’s when applied to a topic. In addition, methods that develop or demonstrate practitioner skills include:

Transformative Study: 

This is a demonstration of the practitioner skill of designing and implementing a prototype program for dealing with a particular problem.

Participatory Action Research: In this form of research, the researcher involves the people in a program or organization in studying and solving their own problems. Program Evaluation: This method involves the analysis of an existing program in order to obtain information useful for decision-making.

The analysis focuses on the program’s efficiency and effectiveness in meeting a particular objective.

Case Study: 

This form of research involves intensive study of a person, an event, a program, an organization, a time period, a critical incident, or a community. This method is appropriate when one can identify cases rich in information and a great deal can be learned from a few exemplars of the phenomenon in

question. This type of study is becoming very common and is adopted by many colleges and universities today.