Research Methods

analyze and discuss the design strategies for each of the research methodologies. This discussion should include the elements of inquiry, research approaches, and the overall design of the research being conducted.

•Apply research concepts and principles by developing a research strategy and proposal for a project.

Research is an important exercise to support claims or evaluate phenomena. In order to createauthoritative and well-founded statements about a phenomenon, there needs be a data collection exercise and analysis of the datato arrive at an informed conclusion based on the obtained results. Theexercise of evaluating a phenomenon comprises the research, and the approaches are the research methods.

A study article by Jadranka Ivandi? and Vlado Juki?,titled“Familial risk factors favoring drug aIDiction onset”waspublished in the 2012 Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, vol. 44, issue no.2. The research was conducted in the year 2008 through 2009. The authors sought to answer several questions, among them, to ascertain whether the onset of drug aIDiction was in any way related to certain risk factors in families. They also pursued to answer at what stage were the familial risk factors more significant in influencing drug aIDiction among aIDicts.

There are two major research methods applicable to a research undertaking; that is, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Quantitative research is whereby the researcher(s) have specific objectives they seek to evaluate. This research method tries to explain a certain phenomenon by use of mathematical approaches. In quantitative research method, numerical data about the studied phenomenon is collected, analysed by the use of statistics principles and meaningful conclusions derived from the results obtained. Therefore, quantitative research is often employed where the research questions necessitate numerical data collection and answers. Conversely, qualitative research method entail observational study of human experiences and behaviours in relation to their environment. This research method involves no numerical data collection, and largely involve use of open-ended questionnaires among other techniques. The article “Familial risk factors favoring drug aIDiction onset”(Jadranka&Juki?, 2008) employs the use of qualitative research method.

Judging from the data collection methods and the nature of the collected data, qualitative research method was employed in this study. Other than the admission by the authors of “Familial risk factors favoring drug aIDiction onset”to employment of qualitative research method, it is further evidenced by their use of open-ended questionnaires for data collection.AIDitionally, the responses to the questionnaires were designated as either positive, neutral or negative, as opposed to using numerals (Jadranka &Juki?, 2008). Moreover, the responses to the questionnaires involved an account of the respondents’ early family life experiences(Jadranka &Juki?, 2008).

In developmental psychology, the human changes over the life span are studied. Thus, in the “Familial risk factors favoring drug aIDiction onset”(Jadranka &Juki?, 2008),they authors conducted a developmental psychology research. This because they sought to study the effects that different environments of upbringing have on drug abuse.

Ethical issues are prevalent with any research. It is the researchers’ obligation to ensure that their study methodologies ascribe to a high degree of ethical conduct. In the article “Familial risk factors favoring drug aIDiction onset” (Jadranka &Juki?, 2008), the researchers contend with several ethical issues. Firstly, the authors gained informed consent from the respondents of the study. They enlightened onthe objectivesof the study and the purposes to which the results would be put. Secondly, the authors observed the free consent of the respondents. The respondents who opted out of the study or disregarded exposing some personal information were not coerced(Jadranka &Juki?, 2008). Thirdly, the study safeguarded the respondents from harm. The aIDicts under acute therapy were exempted from the exercise(Jadranka &Juki?, 2008). Their inclusion would have a bearing on their emotions, would have probably hampered their treatment.

A research exercise is more than just answering some question. Critical thought on the research methodology is needed. The methodology should be convenient to meet the research exercise demands adequately. The researcher(s) should also put into consideration ethical issues involved with the research.

References

Ivandi? Zimi?, J., & Juki?, V. (2012). Familial risk factors favouring drug aIDiction onset.Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 44(2), 173-185.