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Education & Integrative Studies

Step 1: Research Process

Step 2:Literature Review

Image from Stellenbosch University Library

Step 3: Research Design & Methods

What is Research Design? How is it different from Research Method?

Research design is how you will answer your question. It's a plan to answer your research question.  A research method is your strategy used to implement that plan. These ideas are closely related but research design ensures you will answer your research question more effectively.

Which research method should I choose?

It depends on your research and the data you are trying to collect. Common research methods used are:

  1. Observation / Participant Observation
  2. Surveys
  3. Interviews
  4. Focus Groups
  5. Experiments
  6. Secondary Data Analysis / Archival Study
  7. Mixed Methods (combination of some of the above)