Research Paper

The aims and objectives of a research assignment determine whether you engage in primary data collection or secondary data collection. In this article are methods you can use to collect primary data necessary to write an outstanding research paper.

Observation

The researcher studies the research subjects from their natural environment and natural setting. It is useful where the researcher wants to get information that cannot be obtained through interviews, especially where behavioral change is involved. It is also discouraged because it consumes time and is subject to the bias of the researcher.

Face-to-face interviews

It can be a structured or semi-structured setting where the researcher asks questions of interest to the research subject directly.  It is recommended where the researcher needs an in-depth answer to the research question, and needs to minimize chances of non-response. It is however costly and is prone to researcher bias, which can ruin the credibility of a research paper.

Telephone interviews

It can either be structured or semi-structured, where the researcher gets research answers to the research question from the respondent through a telephone call. It is convenient in that it reduces cost and the researcher can get answers suitable for a research paper even from respondents in remote areas. It can limit the depth of answers and responses given.

Self- administered questionnaires

These are structured interviews where the respondent has a copy of the question either in hardcopy, internet, or email and he/she gives answers with minimal or no intervention of the researcher. It is appropriate when you need responses that respondents may shy away from giving in an interview setting, it reduces bias from the researcher and promotes accurate answers. On the other hand, it can be a hindrance because of low response rates, which is detrimental to your research paper assignment.