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Compare and Contrast the Purpose, Mechanics, Strengths, and Weaknesses of Field, Experimental, and Survey research

SOSC 366: Research Methods in the Social Sciences (Rev. C6)

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Introduction An analysis of the field, experimental and survey methods of research is very important for researchers, when they decide which method is the best to use for their study. This essay aims to explore and describe these three research methods. For each of them, I propose the main purpose of research, suggest the appropriate use of methods, introduce the mechanisms, involved in conducting a research, and explore the strength and weaknesses of each approach. In addition, I review some of the similarities and differences between the methods.

Main purposes of these three methods Main purpose of field research is to observe the researched subject, to collect data to analyze it, to explain people behavior, and to establish the cause-and-effect relation between two variables, the dependent variable and independent variable. To accomplish this goal, an experiment manipulates one variable while a second variable is measured and other variables are controlled (Babbie & Benaquisto, 2009).

Main purpose of experimental study is to examine cause-and-effect relationships between a well-defined set of independent variables, when one or more independent variables are manipulated by researchers, in laboratory or field settings (Bhattacharjee, 2012).

Historically, the primary purposes of survey research, according to Ponto (2015), was to obtain information describing characteristics of a large sample of individuals of interest relatively quickly (p.168). More recently, survey research has developed into a rigorous approach to research, with scientifically tested strategies detailing whom to include (representative sample), what and how to distribute (survey method), and when to initiate the survey and follow

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up with non-responders (reducing nonresponse error), in order to ensure a high-quality research process and outcome (Ponto, 2015).

Mechanics of the method’s brief description of sampling techniques, and the data collection process Field research characterized as a qualitive method of social research encompasses five data collection methods: Direct Observation, Participant Observation, Ethnography, Qualitative Interviews and Case Study research. In Direct Observation method, which is usually used in a natural public, not a private environment, the information is collected only through observation and not interfered by the researcher. Participant Observation method of field research commonly conducted in a natural environment too, but the observer gathers information as a participant, through open discussions and other interactions. For instance, the researcher may choose to spend some period among the participants, in comfortable settings and it encourages other participants to share deeper data. Ethnography is an expanded report on social life and the cultural values of an entire social setting, when the researcher would live in a studied community, to research the subject culture, everyday life and gather required data. In Qualitative Interviews researcher would collect the studied data using text analysis, or interviewing subjects personally or in panel groups. A Case Study research is a focused, detailed investigation of a single instance of some social phenomena like a town, an industry, a community, an organization, or a person (Babbie & Benaquisto, 2009).

Experimental research is a qualitative method of data collection in which subjects are divided into two or more groups with the same settings, and only one of the groups is exposed to the treatment., and then the results are measured and any difference in groups' reactions are compared. The group in which the treatment is present, called the experimental group. Groups

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without treatment called the control group. When the independent variable takes on many different values, more than one experimental group is used. By controlling the setting for both groups and giving only one group the treatment, the researcher can conclude that any differences in the reactions of the groups are due to the treatment alone (Neuman & Robson, 2015).

Experimental researchers often divide subjects into two or more groups for purposes of comparison. A simple experiment has two groups, only one of which receives the treatment. The experimental group is the one that receives the treatment or in which the treatment is present.

The group which has not been manipulated is called the control group. When the independent variable takes on many different values, more than one experimental group are involved. The researcher decides on the number of groups to use, how and when to create treatment conditions, the number of times to measure the dependent variable, and what the groups of subjects will experience from beginning to end. He or she also develops the measures of the dependent variable and pilot-tests the experiment (Neuman & Robson, 2015). Probability sampling, randomization, and matching are all sampling techniques to select, assign and match the experimental sample from the population in experimental and control groups in experimental research.

Survey Research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behavior, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research (Singleton & Straits, 2009 as cited in Ponto, 2015). Collecting data by interviewing may be completed as an In-Person or Telephone Interviews, wherein gaining information through self-administered questionnaires

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may be inquired by mail and on-line. Sample selection for survey research divides in two groups, such as probability-based samples and non-probability sampling methods.

Advantages and Disadvantages or Strengths and Weaknesses All research methods have their strengths and weaknesses. Field research, for example, is very productive for studying the social phenomenon and observing it over the time as completely as possible (Babbie & Benaquisto, 2009). Therefore, the key advantage of this method is that researchers can develop a deeper and fuller understanding into research subjects. To illustrate, Babbie and Benaquisto (2009), described in their study the analyse of field research of concerns, beliefs, and behaviours on health and illness of men from South Asia who immigrated to Canada.

This research had been conducted at the places of worship, at many of the men’s homes and at the temple, which had been provided a place to eat, socialize, and do com munity service. Their findings provided another example of the depth and vividness that field research allows, pointed to the superior validity of field research (p.335). Another strength of field research is the approach of collecting data in a real-world and natural environment where variables are not altered. Moreover, due to comfortable environment of field research, research can be conducted even about difficult topics.

However, as each from research methods, field research has its weaknesses as well. This method can be time consuming and requesting years to complete the studies. Other disadvantages of this method include the possibility of altering the nature of field research. It can be interfered by external variables, which researches are not able to control, or it can be altered in case if researcher gets emotionally involved and failed to distance themselves from biases in research study.

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Experimental research has some advantages over other methods too. Researcher can control over environment and variables. Experimental research can be replicated.

On the other hand, experiments have some disadvantages. The source of almost of all weakness is laying in an artificial situation, which is created by researcher. According to the Babbie and Benaquisto (2009), an Aboriginal Canadian history film might genuinely reduce prejudice among a group of experimental subjects. This would not necessarily mean, however, that the same film shown in neighbourhood movie theatres throughout the country would reduce prejudice among the public (p.243).

One of the main advantages of survey research is that this method is remarkably useful in collecting data from a large population. Survey participants’ quantities may count in thousands.

For instance, Canada's National Statistical Agency works with the whole country population to get their opinion on the researched topics.

This method of research, however, has their own pitfalls. First, cost can be a factor of limitations of a study, especially if the sample for personal interviews is spread across a wide geographic area, or, if postage involved in sending out mass-mail surveys. Telephone surveys can also quickly become cost prohibitive when factoring in the cost of training staff and payroll.

Second, response rates can be very low, especially for mail surveys. In addition, misleading or difficult to understand questions can taint results. Language barriers can also cause issues with responses (Brick, 2011).

Appropriate use of the methods All discussed methods are useful and have their best potential when appropriately selected to be applied to practice in each given environment, topic, and research purposes.

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In their study, Babbie and Benaquisto (2009) claimed that field research is particularly appropriate be used to collect quantitative data such as noting the number of interactions of various specified types in a field setting (p.336). Hence, this mode of observation is especially, though not exclusively, appropriate to research topics and social studies that seem to defy simple quantification. Field research is especially appropriate to the study of those attitudes and behaviours best understood within their natural setting, as opposed to the somewhat artificial settings of experiments and surveys. For example, field research provides a superior method for studying the dynamics of religious conversion at a revival meeting, just as a statistical analysis of membership rolls would be a better way of discovering whether men or women were more likely to convert. Finally, field research is well suited to the study of social processes over time (Babbie & Mouton, 2001).

Experimental research is an excellent mechanism for the controlled testing of causal processes. Babbie and Benaquisto (2009), indicated that experiments are especially well suited to research projects involving relatively limited and well-defined concepts task or the rewards for handling the task successfully. By observing differences in the way groups organize themselves and operate under these varying conditions, we can learn a great deal about the nature and propositions. In terms of the traditional image of science, discussed earlier in this book, the experimental model is especially appropriate for hypothesis testing. Experimentation has also been successful in the study of the small group interactions (p.224).

Survey research is the most appropriate method of collecting data in describing the characteristics of a large population. Survey research is especially appropriate for making descriptive studies of large populations; is probably the best method available to the social

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scientist interested in collecting original data for describing a population too large to observe directly (Babbie & Mouton, 2001).

Emphasis on similarities and differences between the methods All three methods are useful approaches to social research, all have their best potentials in helping to collect data and explore variables, however, potential for harm, the variety of sources of error in some research methods is higher than in others.

In comparing with surveys and experiments, Babbie and Benaquisto (2009) concluded that Field research measurements generally have more validity but less reliability. For example, has been conducting their research in the real world or a natural setting, field researchers may not deliver to their participants, that they are being studied. Also, typically for field research studies is that it is not only data collecting, but a theory generating activity as well. (p.338).

The main difference of experimental research from other research methods is lying in the artificial settings for this type of research, when the researcher can control and manipulate the environment of the research, one or more control variables in order to measure their defect on the dependent variables. Conversely, field and survey researches are not involved the manipulation of control variables.

In comparison with the field and experimental researchers, survey researchers test their hypothesis by gathering information through the use of interviews and questionnaires from the most wide spread sample, while field researchers studying smaller groups of people, how the process they study occurs, and experimental researches conducting their research by manipulating on the experimental group to measure its effect on a whole studied sample (Babbie & Benaquisto, 2009).

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Conclusion This paper explored different methods of social research and described the appropriate employment of each in different conditions. To highlight the mechanics of field, experimental and survey researches, I provided a brief description of sampling techniques and presented outline of data collection process. I reviewed the main advantages and disadvantages and provided examples. I looked more closely on the appropriate use of three methods, and similarities and differences between them. Research takers should be aware of all methods’ characteristics and should be professionally flexible in choosing their professional tools, especially when deciding what research method should be applied to their projects to meet their goals. Moreover, professional researchers should be able to use more than one method when working at a given research.

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References Babbie, E. R., & Benaquisto, L. (2009). Fundamentals of social research (2nd ed.). Toronto: Cengage Learning. https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780176725143/

Babbie, E. R., & Mouton, J. (2001). The practice of social research. Oxford University Press, USA.

Bhattacharjee, A. (2012). Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices. Textbooks Collection. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/oa_textbooks/3

Brick, J. M. (2011). The Future of Survey Sampling. Public Opinion Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfr045

Check, J., & Schutt, R. K. (2012). Research methods in education. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. pp. 159–185.

Neuman, W. L., & Robson, K. (2015). Basics of social research: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (3rd Canadian ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson. https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134644509/cfi/6/158!/4/2/2/2@0:0

Ponto J. (2015). Understanding and Evaluating Survey Research. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 6(2). pp. 168–171.

Singleton, R., & Straits, B. C. (2009). Approaches to social research. Oxford University Press, USA.

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Straits, B. C. (2005). Approaches to social research. Oxford University Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4601897/#A9