Research Methods Publication Research and Surveys

Question: Discuss about the Research Methodsfor Publication Research and Surveys. Answer: Introduction When conducting research, it is important for the researcher to identify a research method that will enable him/her to collect adequate and relevant information and data relating to the study. Research methodology, therefore, is the procedure used by researchers to gather information for the purpose of making conclusions and examining a hypothesis. Different research methods are used including, interviews, publication research, surveys, and other research techniques. Information collect may be passed or present and quantitative or qualitative. This paper explores the research methodologies exploited by Brescoll and LaFrance, as well as by Cullen and Pretes while they conducted their research. It also explains the reason for their choices and the type of data collected. Brescoll and LaFrance used two different research methods, publications, and interviews. They conducted three studies as they sought to how biological factor explained sex variations. In their first study, they collected articles on the topic. In this study, they used publication research to identify a pattern as well as what people believe explains sex differences (Kothari, 2004, p. 4). According to the researchers Brescoll and LaFrance, they used publication research to collect information on the various explanations given over the years (Brescoll, LaFrance, 2004, p. 511). It helped them create a hypothesis and a pattern of human understanding based on the articles written over time. Secondly, in the consecutive studies, the researchers collected data using interviews (Kothari, 2004, p. 9). They gave participants fictional articles to read and conducted interviews to determine how the articles affected their stereotypes. On the other hand, Cullen and Pretes used surveys in conducting their research on the meaning of marginality. They used this methodology to identify the different perceptions on the word marginality as they sought to give a definite meaning. One of the primary reasons for using this technique is to eliminate bias (Cullen, Pretes, 2000, p. 215). They conducted research in the USA and Canada to get the different perspectives used by social scientists. They also wanted to evoke a discussion that allowed them to compare the definitions given. It enabled them to identify the characteristics of marginality and marginal regions. Besides, surveys provide qualitative data (Neuman, 2002, p. 67). Following the studies conducted by the researchers identified, three research methods, publication research, interviews, and surveys were identified. A newspaper research entails collecting information from previously published documents. Gathering information from articles is paper research. It allows the researcher to collect past information and draw conclusions on how facts change over time (Kothari, 2004, p. 7). Interviews are conversations where questions are asked and participants give answers from their perspective. Interviews collect qualitative information (Neuman, 2002, p. 74). A survey is a research design where a sample unit is identified from a population to provide different perspectives on how to answer a research question. According to the article by Brescoll and LaFrance their research process sought to study the theoretical perspective on factors that impact on sex differences. Allowing people to read fictional articles showed that stereotypes were influenced by political ideologies rather than factual information. The rationale supporting the choice of the research methodology was to identify the outweigh research philosophy. Secondly, the method used was crucial in fulfilling the research purpose. The hypothesis stated that biological factors explain sex differences. This hypothesis was concluded to be false as political ideologies impact on the beliefs of people more. Thirdly, rationale liking the methodology and research process is the ability to acquire relevant information on the topic. Interviews and publication research gave the research accurate and pertinent information on the research question. Lastly, the research required qualitative data and the methods used were adequately availed the information (Neuman, 2002, p. 72). List of References Brescoll, V LaFrance, 2004, The correlates and consequences of newspaper reports of research on sex differences,' Psychological Science, vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 515-20. Cullen, B T Press, 2000, The meaning of marginality: interpretations and perceptions in social science,' Social Science Journal, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 215-29. Kothari, C.R., 2004. Research Methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International. Neuman, L.W., 2002. Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches.