AP Research

Advanced Placement Research developing research skills and academic inquiry.

Basic Concepts

Types of Research Methods

Exploring Different Ways to Research

There are many ways to approach a research question, and the method you choose depends on what you want to discover. Each method has its strengths and is suited to different kinds of questions.

Qualitative Methods

These methods focus on understanding meaning, experience, or concepts.

  • Interviews
  • Focus groups
  • Observations
  • Content analysis

Quantitative Methods

These methods use numbers and statistics to measure and analyze variables.

  • Surveys with closed-ended questions
  • Experiments
  • Statistical analysis

Mixed Methods

Sometimes, combining both approaches gives you a fuller picture!

Choosing the Right Method

  • Use qualitative methods for exploring "how" or "why" questions.
  • Use quantitative methods for measuring "how much," "how many," or "to what extent."

Try It Out

Next time you have a question, think: Would interviews or a survey get you better answers?

Examples

  • Conducting interviews with teachers to understand their experiences with remote learning (qualitative).

  • Using a survey to measure how many students prefer online classes to in-person classes (quantitative).

In a Nutshell

Different research methods help answer different types of questions.

Key Terms

Qualitative
Research that explores concepts, experiences, or meanings.
Quantitative
Research that focuses on measuring and analyzing numerical data.