Online interview and email interview are frequently used research techniques today.
Research techniques are the procedures and tools used to obtain information . These are resources that are available to those who carry out research work to produce knowledge.
There are multiple research techniques: the choice of one or the other will depend on the particularities of the investigative process to be developed. Each instrument has greater usefulness or relevance in a specific area.
Characteristics of research techniques
Research techniques are means that allow access to data . They must be framed within a certain investigative method and respect the protocols established by the methodology in question.
It is important to mention that the method indicates which phases must be carried out when carrying out an investigation, which also indicates the appropriate time for the application of the techniques. In other words, the techniques are used according to the guide proposed by the method.
It should be noted that there are research techniques that are used in numerous sciences and disciplines. However, there are others that are specific to an exclusive field.
Among the most popular research techniques in various sciences is systematic observation.
Its usefulness
The use of research techniques is key in each stage of the task. Appropriate techniques are needed to collect data, analyze it, measure it and finally interpret it.
In any case, a technique does not ensure that the conclusions reached are correct . The researcher must be responsible for framing them in a scientific method and respecting its precepts.
In all cases, research techniques are tools or instruments that make the work progress possible. Without them, the researcher cannot obtain the data necessary for a hypothesis test or to propose a theory .
The literature review is part of a documentary research technique.
Types of research techniques
The types of research techniques can be classified according to different criteria. If the origin of the data is considered, a distinction is made between experimental techniques , field techniques and documentary techniques .
Experimental techniques consist of observing the phenomenon directly. Observation is usually carried out in a laboratory under conditions that are controlled by the researcher himself. Field techniques , meanwhile, involve direct observation that is carried out at the site where the phenomenon occurs or the object of study is located. Documentary techniques , on the other hand, lead to turning to documents, newspapers, magazines and books.
A distinction is also usually made between qualitative techniques and quantitative techniques . A qualitative technique offers information associated with people's behaviors and opinions, while a quantitative technique serves to collect data that can be expressed with figures.
Its application in the corporate sphere
The application of research techniques in the corporate sphere is frequent since many times we want to know how a market works. With the appropriate information, those responsible for a company can move forward with decision-making within the framework of a strategy.
When you want to develop qualitative market research , you can use the in-depth interview technique . In this case, whether with a structured interview or an unstructured interview , an extensive dialogue is sought that provides quality information.
The group interview is another valuable technique. It can be used within the framework of what is known as a focus group to promote a debate about a service or product.
Quantitative market research, on the other hand, can use a focused interview or a survey . In these situations, questionnaires with closed answers are used so that the generation of statistics is possible. For example, if interviewees are asked if they know a certain product, the possible answers are "Yes" and "No" . Thus, it can then be expressed that 78% of those surveyed did not know the product, to mention one possibility.
Market data can also come from social network analysis . Nowadays, it is very common for consumers to make their opinions public on platforms such as Facebook , Instagram or Twitter , providing useful information for companies.
Ethnographic research techniques
Ethnographic research techniques help obtain data about cultural phenomena. This type of research aims to analyze the daily experiences of a group to understand their social practices.
Participant observation is a popular technique in this context. It consists of the researcher getting involved in the daily life of the group to try to understand the members' points of view.
The interview is also used in ethnographic research. Specifically, the semi-structured interview is usually privileged, where the questions are asked simultaneously with the observation .
Conducting a discourse analysis of members of the population and developing a field diary are other research techniques used in ethnography. The sample size with which you are working must be taken into account to determine which techniques have a viable application.