Give three examples of applied research methods and outline how they are applied during research.

Applied research methods are used to address practical issues and answer specific questions based on real-world problems. Here are three examples of applied research methods and an outline of how they are applied during research: ### 1. Surveys and Questionnaires **Application in Research:** - **Objective Setting**: Researchers define specific questions they want to answer related to the population being studied, such as customer satisfaction, employee engagement, or public opinion on a policy. - **Designing the Instrument**: Researchers design a survey or questionnaire that includes a mix of closed-ended (multiple-choice, Likert scale) and open-ended questions to collect quantitative and qualitative data. - **Sampling**: A representative sample of the target population is selected to ensure the findings are generalizable. This may involve random sampling, stratified sampling, or convenience sampling, depending on the research objectives. - **Data Collection**: Surveys are administered either online, through phone interviews, or in-person, depending on the accessibility of the target audience. Researchers may use platforms like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms for online distribution. - **Data Analysis**: The collected data is analyzed using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) to identify trends, correlations, and insights that directly inform the research questions. ### 2. Case Studies **Application in Research:** - **Defining the Case**: Researchers identify a specific case or multiple cases that exemplify a phenomenon, issue, or practice relevant to the research question. This could be an organization, community, or event. - **Data Collection**: Various sources of data are gathered, including interviews with key stakeholders, observations, documents, and existing records. This triangulation enhances the reliability and depth of the findings. - **Analysis**: Researchers conduct a thorough analysis to identify themes, patterns, and insights that emerge from the data. This could involve coding qualitative data or using narrative analysis to construct a comprehensive story around the case. - **Reporting**: Findings are compiled into a detailed report that discusses the implications of the case study, providing practical insights that can guide policy, practice, or further research. ### 3. Experimental Research **Application in Research:** - **Hypothesis Formulation**: Researchers begin by formulating a clear, testable hypothesis based on existing theories or prior data related to the topic. - **Study Design**: A controlled experimental design is established, which may include a treatment group (exposed to an intervention) and a control group (not exposed). Random assignment helps mitigate bias. - **Intervention Administration**: The researchers implement the intervention or treatment in one group while ensuring that all other conditions (e.g., environment, measurement timing) are kept constant for both groups. - **Data Collection**: Researchers collect data on relevant outcomes, using methods such as direct measurements, surveys, or behavioral observations at multiple time points. - **Statistical Analysis**: The outcomes from the treatment and control groups are compared using statistical analysis to determine the impact of the intervention, using techniques like t-tests or ANOVA for hypothesis testing. - **Conclusion and Recommendations**: Based on the findings, researchers draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the intervention and provide recommendations for practice or policy. These applied research methods allow researchers to address specific, practical problems and contribute valuable insights that can inform decision-making and action.