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Welcome to Research Methods
in Family Science
BACKGROUND:
Qualitative research contains descriptive data (the sensory - listening, observing, etc.) and focuses on interpretive discussion about meanings, themes or patterns.
Quantitative research contains variables and numerical values that measure something (concept, construct, etc.).
SEARCH HINT:
The words Qualitative and Quantitative used as keyword search terms will retrieve some articles, but this is not the best strategy.
These two terms delineate categories of research findings, but Google and Libraryland indexers don’t always make that kind of categorical distinction.
Try using search terms that target specific types of research methodology which produce either qualitative or quantitative results – RCTs, meta-analyses, co-relational studies, case studies, focus groups, phenomenology, etc.
Below are some terms to use when looking for articles that produce either qualitative or quantitative research results. This list is NOT comprehensive.
Suggested Search Terms:
Research Methodology Terms:
QUANTitative |
QUALitative |
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Systematic review |
Cohort Study |
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Meta-analysis |
Case Report, Case Study, Case |
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Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) |
Comparative Study |
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Controlled Trial |
Survey |
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Clinical Trial |
Questionnaire |
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Cohort Study |
Grounded Theory |
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Comparative Study |
Ethnographic Study |
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Longitudinal Study |
Phenomenological Study |
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Population Study |
Life Narrative (biography) |
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Retrospective Study |
Lived Experience |
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General Terms:
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Clinical |
perception |
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Statistics |
experimental |
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Data |
experiential |
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Numerical |
single-case |
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Validity |
exploration |
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reliability |
observation, observational |
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measurement |
participant observation |
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co-relational |
evaluation |
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focus group |
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interview |
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triangulation |
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trustworthiness |
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authenticity
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