How to conduct effective academic research: 9 key methods

Choose the research methodology best suited to your situation

What is a research methodology and why is it crucial?

Academic research is the process of collecting and analyzing scientific or social data in order to answer specific questions. Also known as basic research or scientific research, it helps researchers and academics producing reliable results and supports quality academic work.

While literature research is the most familiar to students, many other research study methods exist.
This article explores the different types of research methods and helps you choose the most effective one for your goals.

• Why is research methodology important in academic work?
• What are the various methods used in academic research?
  • Quantitative research
  • Qualitative research
  • Empirical research 
  • Historical research
  • Documentary research
  • Experimental research
  • Conceptual research 
  • Comparative research 
  • Analytical research 
• How to choose the right research method?
• What are the academic research tools?
• What are the steps of a good research methodology?

Quantitative research

Quantitative research or quantitative study is a research methodology that focuses on researching data and statistics to determine trends and relationships between variables. It relies on the use of tools such as statistical tests, surveys, structured questionnaires (open-ended and closed-ended), and mathematical models to analyse data on a sample of individuals.
It is ideal when the goal is to predict outcomes, compare results, or verify theories objectively.
For example, to evaluate e-commerce platforms like Spryker vs Shopify, researchers can use quantitative techniques to assess performance metrics and user preferences. This approach is a cornerstone of many academic disciplines and a key part of learning how to conduct research effectively.

Qualitative research

Qualitative research or qualitative study is a research methodology that focuses on understanding people's attitudes, opinions, and motivations. Unlike quantitative research, it emphasizes depth over numbers, making it ideal for exploring complex human behaviors and social phenomena.
This method is widely used in social sciences and humanities, and is key when learning how to research effectively using qualitative study methods. It can include the use of techniques such as interviews, focus groups, observations and document analysis.
The qualitative approach is generally used to understand human behaviour and develop deeper insights into a subject.

The main techniques of qualitative research are:

• Semi-structured interview: a qualitative data collection method that combines structure and flexibility, using a pre-established interview guide while allowing for open-ended questions and in-depth explorations of participants' responses.
• Directive interview: a qualitative data collection method based on a structured and predefined questionnaire, where the interviewer asks precise and targeted questions, thus limiting the freedom of answers and discussions to obtain specific information.
• Non-directive interview: a qualitative data collection method characterised by an open and flexible approach, where the interviewer encourages the participant to speak freely and spontaneously about their experiences, opinions and feelings, without asking specific questions or following a predefined interview guide.
• Observation: A qualitative research method that collects data by carefully and systematically examining behaviours, interactions and situations in their natural context, without direct intervention by the researcher.
• Focus group: a qualitative research method that involves a small group of participants brought together to discuss a specific topic, under the guidance of a moderator, in order to obtain a variety of opinions, perceptions and ideas on the topic being studied.

Desk research

Desk research is a method of investigation that involves gathering information from existing documents and sources such as books, academic articles, reports, databases, websites, databases, social media, and archives.
Desk research is an important step in understanding a topic and obtaining accurate and up-to-date information. It can be used to study a variety of subjects, such as history, politics, science, technology, sociology, economics, etc. Desk research is a valuable tool for researchers, journalists, students and professionals to write strong research papers and for understanding how to properly conduct academic research.

Experimental research 

Experimental research is used to determine cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating one or more variables in a controlled environment. It is used in scientific and psychological research to test hypotheses and to study the causes and effects of phenomena. For example, experimental research is useful for studying the effects of drugs, psychological treatments and educational interventions. It is also used to study the effects of environmental variables on human and animal behaviour.

Analytical research 

Analytical research is a research method that focuses on the analysis of data and information to understand and explain phenomena. It is often used to investigate complex issues and find solutions to problems. It can also be used to explore trends and patterns in data and information. Analytical research is an important method for understanding the world and making informed decisions. It’s one of the most valuable methods of the research process, especially when developing evidence-based arguments or theoretical models.

The table below summarizes the main research methods, their characteristics, and their areas of application to help you make the right methodological choice:

What are the academic research tools?

1. Search engines: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, etc.

2. Monitoring tools: Google Alerts, Talkwalker, Mention, etc.

3. Social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

4. Academic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Archimag, CAIRN, etc.

5. Online forums and communities: Reddit, Quora, Stack Overflow, etc.

In conclusion, academic research methodology is a complex and demanding process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. To ensure reliable and relevant results, it is essential to collect data using a variety of appropriate research methods, whether quantitative or qualitative. By following the key steps mentioned above, student researchers can produce high-quality research that will contribute to the advancement of knowledge and improve decision-making. A well-defined research methodology optimizes data analysis, improves decision-making, and strengthens the validity of conclusions.

Furthermore, the use of a plagiarism checker is an essential step in ensuring academic integrity and guaranteeing the originality of the work presented.

To go further:

• "Méthodologie de la recherche documentaire", Université Aix Marseille.
• "La recherche en sciences de l'éducation. État des lieux et points de vue", CAIRN.
• "Enseigner la méthodologie de la recherche en technologie éducative : des conceptions aux concepts seuils", Open Edition Journals.
• "28 meilleurs moteurs de recherche académiques pour la recherche en 2022", Testsiteforme, 14/09/2022, Gabriel Artega.
• "MÉTHODOLOGIE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE", Friedrich Ebert Siftung.

 

Information: This informative article does not require any personal reflection and was written with the help of ChatGPT. On the basis of an outline that we constructed beforehand, we questioned ChatGPT. Then, we reworked these automatically generated contents to delete repetitions, add details, check the veracity of the information... The assistance of an AI allowed us to save time in writing and to enrich our good practices in using such a tool.