Descriptive

Correlational Quantitative Experimental study

Causal comparative

Approaches of researches Narrative inquiry

Case study

Ethnography

Qualitative

Action research

Mix method

Phenomenology

Grounded theory

Quantitative approach: It is categorized with descriptive research, correlational research, causal-comparative research and experimental research; It collects numerical data in order to explain, predict and or control phenomena of interest; Data analysis is mainly statistical. Types of Quantitative Researches 1. Descriptive: Descriptive research involves collecting data in order to test hypotheses or answer questions concerning the current status of the subjects of the study. It determines and reports the way things are. 2. Correlational: Correlational research attempts to determine whether and to what degree a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable variables. However, it never establishes a cause-effect relationship. The relationship is expressed by correlation coefficient, which is a number between .00 and 1.00. 3. Experimental: Experimental research establishes the cause-effect relationship and does the comparison, but the cause is manipulated. The cause, independent variable makes the difference. The effect, dependent variable is dependent on the independent variable. 4. Cause-comparative: Causal-comparative research: establishes the cause-effect relationship, compares the relationship, but the cause is not manipulated, such as "gender." Before Conducting a Quantitative Research Research plan: Research plan must be completed before a study is begun. Why? The plan makes a research to think; A written plan facilitates evaluation of the proposed study; The plan provides a guide for conducting the study. Components of a Research Plan : Introduction: It includes a statement of the problem, a review of related literature, and a statement of the hypothesis. Method: This part includes subjects, instruments-- materials if appropriate, design procedure. Data analysis: A description of the statistical technique or techniques that will be sued to analyze study data. Time schedule: The time schedule is equally important for both beginning researchers working on the thesis or dissertation and for experienced researchers working under the deadlines of a research grant or contract. It basically includes a listing of major activities or phases of the proposed study and a corresponding expected completion time for each activity. Budget: It should list all tentative expenses specifically and submitted to funding agency. It includes such items as personnel, clerical assistance, travel and postage and other expenses, equipment, and fringe benefits etc. Ethical consideration:

THREE ethical considerations are: 1. The subjects should not be harmed in any way (physically or mentally) in the name of science. If an experiment involves any risk to subjects, they should be completely informed concerning the nature of the risk and the permission for participation in the experiment should be acquired in writing from the subjects themselves, or from persons legally responsible for the subjects if they are not of age. If school children are involved, it is a good idea to inform parents before the study is conducted if possible. 2. Subjects privacy should be strictly confidential. Individual scores should never be reported, or made public. 3. Ethical principle in the conduct of research with human participants is the most definitive source of ethical guidelines for researcher. It is prepared and published by the American Psychological Association (APA). .... with respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of the people who participate and with cognizance of federal and state regulations and professional standards governing the conduct of research with human participants. That is to respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of the people who participate. The definitions for qualitative research vary, but I see it as an approach to inquiry that begins with assumptions, an interpretive/theoretical lens, and the study of research problems exploring the meaning individuals. groups ascribe to a social or human problem. Researchers collect data in natural settings with a sensitivity to the people under study, and they analyze their data both inductively and deductively to establish patterns or themes. The final report provides for the voices of participants, a reflexivity of the researchers, a complex description and interpretation of the problem, and a study that adds to the literature or provides a call for action. Recent introductory textbooks underscore the characteristics embedded in this definition. Given this definition, a qualitative approach is appropriate to use to study a research problem when the problem needs to be explored; when a complex, detailed understanding is needed; when the researcher wants to write in a literary, flexible style; and when the researcher seeks to understand the context or settings of participants. Qualitative research does take time, involves ambitious data collection and analysis, results in lengthy reports, and does not have firm guidelines. The process of designing a qualitative study emerges during inquiry, but it generally follows the pattern of scientific research. It starts with broad assumptions central to qualitative inquiry, and an interpretive/theoretical lens and a topic of inquiry. After stating a research problem or issue about this topic, the inquirer asks several open-ended research questions, gathers multiple forms of data to answer these questions, and makes sense of the data by grouping information into codes, themes or categories, and larger dimensions. The final narrative the researcher composes will have diverse formatsfrom a scientific type of study to narrative stories. Several aspects will make the study a good qualitative project: rigorous data collection and analysis; the use of a qualitative approach (e.g., narrative, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study); a single focus; a persuasive account; a reflection on the researchers own history, culture, personal experiences, and politics; and ethical practices. Ethical issues need to be anticipated and planned for in designing a qualitative study. These issues arise in many phases of the research process. They develop prior to conducting the study when researchers seek approval for the inquiry. They arise at the beginning of the study when the researchers first contact the participants, gain consent to participate in the study, and acknowledge the customs, culture, and charters of the research site. The ethical issues especially arise during data collection with respect for the site and the participants, and gathering data in

ways that will not create power imbalances and use the participants. They also come during the data analysis phase when researchers do not side with participants, shape findings in a particular direction, and respect the privacy of individuals as their information is reported. In the reporting phase of research, inquirers need to be honest, not plagiarize the work of others; refrain from presenting information that potentially harms participants; and communicate in a useful, clear way to stakeholders. In publishing research studies, inquirers need to openly share data with others, avoid duplicating their studies, and comply with procedures asked by publishers. Finally, the structure of a plan or proposal for a qualitative study will vary. I include four models that differ in terms of their transformative and theoretical orientation, inclusion of personal and political considerations, and focus on the essential arguments that researchers need to address in proposals.