Dissertation Research Methods | Types & Examples

A Dissertation is an academic writing task provided by the University to the students in their final year of the degree. To complete the dissertation, students need to research to collect data for their project. For this, there are so many dissertation research methods​ like quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.

These methods provide a systematic procedure to conduct research and ensure the quality, and reliability of the the study. Sometimes students fail to do research for their dissertation therefore they need Dissertation Helper. 

These are all the types of research methodologies, that help you conduct the research in the direct direction. Choosing the best research methods for a dissertation is the main important task, therefore we provide all the information related to the research methods of a dissertation and how students choose the best research method for the dissertation.

What are the Research Methods For Dissertation?

Research methods for a dissertation are the techniques to gather data, analysis, and the systematic approach for their dissertation. All of the research methods are part of the research methodology and are used for conducting the research. 

To write a dissertation, sometimes it is very difficult, when you research the right path, it will become easier to write. As we know, a dissertation is the final step to completing a Ph.D program, and it all starts with the research process.

If you're choosing the best research method, so its helps to conduct research and also validates all of your research results. 

The Dissertation Title, Objective, questionnaire, and hypothesis determine the best research methods.

The primary focus of writing this article is to give you details about the types of research methods and how you should know which research methods are suitable for the dissertation that helps you to write a research design. 

Understand the process for finding the best research methods for your dissertation:

• First Understand the Difference Between Research Methods and Research Methodology

• Understand All The Various Types of Research Methods

• Think about your topic, question, and objective to choose the right research method.

Difference Between Research Methods and Research Methodology

A Research Methodology is the path to conduct the research in the right direction. It also makes sure your research gathers the right answers to your research questions. While doing any research, students face lots of problems this is why they use research paper writing services.

Types of Research Methods for Dissertation

Here are all the different types of research methods for dissertations that have been used to gather data.  You can do surveys, observations, case studies, focus groups, interviews, and write research questions for the dissertation.

1. Qualitative Research Method

Qualitative research methods for dissertations​ are used to collect data and analyze data from interviews, secondary research, case studies, surveys, and document analysis. The research involves collecting information from non-numerical data like videos, text, and audio. This type of research is commonly used for education, social science, history, health science, etc.

Students can read the Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Methods of Research for a better understanding and how qualitative research is different from quantitative research. 

Here are the following key points of qualitative research.

1. It usually focuses on groups, interviews, and previously published literature reviews.

2. In this method, the researcher provides the answer with the theoretical sample. 

3. The main perspective of the research is subjective.

4. The researcher collects only open-ended questions while collecting data.

5. The nature of the data is textual, visual narrative, and non-numerical.

Methods Used for Analyzing The Data

1. Statistical data analysis: This is the most common method used for analyzing the collected data in quantitative research methods. This can help both in analysis and in collection as well, and even in interrelating the data for discovering the hidden details and patterns.

2. Correlational analysis: Correlational analysis is used when there is a need to find the interrelationship among more than two aspects.

3. Distribution: This is used when there is a need to count the minimum and maximum numbers of the responses to any particular question.

4. Logistic regression: This is used when there is a need to explain the relationship between one dependent variable and another independent variable.

5. Dispersion: This is used when values are needed to be distributed, such as an average. 

2. Quantitative Research Method

Quantitative research is the opposite of Qualitative research, which focuses on collecting and analyzing the data through numerical data like tools, Gantt charts Templates, statistics, and any numerical data to test theories. The primary focus of the research is only on objectives and logic. 

The research involves numerical data through surveys, statistics, and questionnaires. For a better understanding of surveys, and questionnaires, you can find the best Statistics Assignment For Dissertation. 

Quantitative research methods the one that is related to numerical data or the data that is being measured. This research method is used when the researchers have to study a large population and need to find the perfect result. The information of this research is gathered by going through many statistical, computerization techniques or mathematical. 

This is mostly used when your dissertation is data-driven and needs to get the perfect result. Or in case you have a data-driven theory. This comes from primary research as you attain all the data using the primary resource, either by interviewing or through different data collection methods. After collecting this information calculations of these data are done to find an accurate answer. 

Here are some of the research features that are provided by the quantitative method for which this method is been getting selected by many researchers. 

• Quantitative research is used to find the results using small groups which can be trusted for large groups as well.

• Quantitative research is used to challenge or put counterarguments using accurate data and findings from their research and calculations.

• Quantitative research methods are considered as one of the most authentic and valid research methods as primary research is used in this. 

If the person who is doing research, is lack of experience they may fail the dissertation.  

Methods for Collecting Data

1. Close-ended questions 

2. Survey (Online)

3. Polls (Online and offline)

4. Surveys using mobile phones

5. Interviews over call 

6. Questionnaires

Methods Used for Analyzing The Data

1. Statistical data analysis: This is the most common method used for analyzing the collected data in quantitative research methods. This can help both in analysis and in collection as well, and even in interrelating the data for discovering the hidden details and patterns.

2. Correlational analysis: Correlational analysis is used when there is a need to find the interrelationship among more than two aspects.

3. Distribution: This is used when there is a need to count the minimum and maximum numbers of the responses to any particular question.

4. Logistic regression: This is used when there is a need to explain the relationship between one dependent variable and another independent variable.

5. Dispersion: This is used when values are needed to be distributed, such as an average.

Note: Let’s understand the advantages and disadvantages of secondary research, before choosing any research method for the dissertation.

 

 

 

 

 

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3. Mixed Research Method 

It can be understood by its name, it is a combination of qualitative methods and quantitative methods. After these two have been combined and the Mixed method has been introduced this has become one of the most used research methods. This provided benefits for both research methods. This has provided several reasons to researchers for using this method. This research method is useful in both conditions whether the data is numerical or non-numerical you can use that for both. In case your dissertation asks you to use secondary research and asks you to prepare a dissertation Gantt chart, then you must use Mixed method research methods. 

Key features for Mixed methods:

• Can use any technique depending on the data that needs to be analyzed.

• Best used in case there is a need for more than one research. If there is a need for both kinds of research you can use them.

• You can use the same data collection method, that is used for both qualitative and quantitative methods.

• Even analysis methods are the same as qualitative and quantitative. 

4. Experimental Research method

The experimental research method is the one that is done using the research in the laboratory and is completely observed under fully controlled conditions. In this researchers try to understand human behavior by making them go through various experiments. These experiments are varied from informal to personal comparisons. You must go through 10 important steps in the research process to look for an accurate research method. 

This has three types of variables:

1. Controlled variable

2. Independent variable 

3. Dependent variables

Here are some of the types of this method:

1. Field experiments: These experiments are the one that is conducted in an open field and in an open environment where participants are observed under few artificial changes. There is no control of the researchers on participants in this.

2. Natural experiment: This is conducted by the researcher in a completely open environment. In this, even participants are not informed about anything.

3. Quasi-experiments: This is the one that takes advantage of natural occurrences. In this researchers have no control over assigning any participants to any particular group. 

4. Laboratory experiment: Here researchers have complete control of all the variables that are used for experiments. 

You should select this research method for a subject like Data science when you go through the list of best data science dissertation topics, you will understand that this is the best for this course. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Data Collection Method

1. Surveys

2. Case study

3. Interviewers

4. Experiments 

5. Observation 

Methods of Analyzing The Data 

• Statistical analysis

5. Descriptive Research Method

This is the research that simply collects the data for answering any question that is related to current affairs. This method follows Ex Post Facto research, in this research, they just predict what could be the possible reasons for any situation that has already occurred in the past. This research is focused on answering questions like when, where, what, and how. 

In case you are selecting this research method, make sure that you know how to write research questions for the dissertation as it will be very much needed in this research method. 

Data Collection Methods 

• Case study

• Observations

• Surveys

Methods For Analyzing Data 

1. Cross tabulation: This includes the data in tables in subgroups and participant groups of any particular survey respondents.

2. Table of means: This goes through the data stored in tables and compares and finds the difference between the independent and categorized variables.

3. Audit studies: It is more famously known as paired testing, in this two people are provided with specific identities and then further study types of discrimination. 

6. Historical Research Method

Last comes the Historical research method, this research method is used when the researcher collects and analyses the data and information to understand any event that has occurred in the past. Researchers research these events or situations to find everything about them, they try to find out what happened at that exact moment, which made that event or situation so big. This research method does not involve any kind of variable control and manipulation. This is one unique research method so make sure if you get stuck somewhere you choose the top master dissertation help for your research. 

Data collection methods

There are two types of data collection in this: 

Primary sources: Primary sources include 

• Biographies

• Documents

• Oral statements 

• Artifacts

• Relics

• Literature review

• Numerical records 

Secondary sources: These sources include

• Newspapers

• Periodical 

• Textbooks

• Encyclopedia

Data analysing methods 

• Theoretical model: In this researchers use various multiple theories for explaining any particular situation or any particular type of behavior. 

• Coding system: Going through the textual data can be a long process. Coding is the one way in which tagging the data and organizing that into a sequence of numbers, symbols, and letters to highlight the points. 

• Quantitative data for validation: In this qualitative data is used for validating the interpretation of these historical incidents. 

 

 

 

 

 

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How To Choose the Correct Research Method for Your Dissertation 

There are a few things to make sure you focus on while selecting the research methods for your dissertation. Do not make the mistake of selecting the wrong research method for your dissertation. And before that make sure that you know how to write research design. 

• Make sure you know what you are trying to do with your dissertation whether you are measuring something, or testing a hypothesis in such cases use a quantitative method. 

• In case you are looking to explore more ideas, meanings, and thoughts you should select qualitative methods. 

• Understand whether you are looking to explore a large number of primary data or a large number of secondary data. 

• If you are looking towards establishing a relationship between any variables, you must select the experimental method in such cases. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Research methods very important role in deciding how your dissertation will do. Research methods can make your dissertation correct and simple for you. In case you fail to choose the wrong research method for your dissertation it can make the complete dissertation wrong which will eventually affect your grades.

Research methods define how your research is going to be conducted. Selecting the right research method depends on the topic that you have selected for your dissertation. This blog has discussed different types of research methods that can be used for various dissertations.

This blog has also helped candidates by providing complete information related to these research methods. Including what are the methods for collecting the data and analyzing the data for every research method. By going through all this blog you can even decide how to select the correct research methods for your dissertation.