Compare and Contrast Research Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Compare and Contrast Research Methods - Essay Example circuit card survey is referred to as a longitudinal study because downstairs this study data is not collected over a single point in time but over a stretched period (Marsden & Wright, 2010). Panel survey is unique fashion model of study considering the fact that it utilizes the same seek population over a period. This means that time is an important factor when analyzing empanel survey because it is the major distinctive factor from other forms of research methods and approaches. Nichols (2009) elucidates the sample population, which the respondent visit regularly for the purpose collecting data is usually referred to as Panel. It is not worth that unlike other form of surveys panel survey often involves a small sample to lessen the burden of follow-ups. The focus of panel survey is usually people with unifying attribute in a bad-tempered period (Amico, 2009). This may include people living condition, students of a particu lar class or individuals born in the same era. Panel survey has been associated with a wide run of advantages beginning with the fact that it involves regularly repeated interviews thusly providing accurately fresh data over time. Another major advantage is the fact that Panel survey does not only focus on the unproblematic association between variables but also offers a deep insight to causality. Panel survey is certainly one of the few research methods that can be used to track process and events (Lynn, 2009). For instance, panel survey can be used to track poverty dynamics of particular households over time. The same face can apply to tracking exposures to unemployment over time in the society. Panel surveys are broad and detailed taking into consideration that they engage regular follow-ups, which gives the investigator a perfect opportunity for concourse detailed information about the subjects, compared to cross sectional research methods. Despite the widely traded advant ages of panel survey, it is noteworthy that this form of research method also comes with a wide range of short backs. The fact that this form of research method involves follows makes it one of the most expensive methods of gathering data inform of time consumption and cost (Yang, Zhao, & Dhar, 2010). Follow up rate is also another major challenge that researcher have to live during panel surveys considering that they are difficult to sustain owe to the duration of time involved. There is less representation in panel survey compared to traditional sample survey techniques. Because of the cost involved, most researchers are often influenced into using a small sample size when carrying out Panel survey. This is quite disadvantageous owing to the fact that the surveyor may not get the exact representation of the population. Attrition of panel members is another challenge that pane survey tend to face (Lee, 2007). It is coarse knowledge that panel survey normally involves gathering da ta from same participants over a period and such conduct may be grind to the participants and as such drop out of the study. Finally, panel survey can be difficult to conduct considering the complexes of making follow-ups over time. tenseness group Focus group just like other significant research methods such as Questionnaire-Based surveys, Case Studies, Experimental Methods, Textual analysis has a wide range of similarities as well as dissimilarities associated