Research Methods

For a comprehensive overview of research methods see:
https://www.fctl.ucf.edu/ResearchAndScholarship/SoTL/creatingSoTLProjects/implementingmanaging/#qualitativequantitative

It is helpful to think of SoTL research methods of coming in three flavors:  qualitative, quantitative, and mixed.

Qualitative methods include interviews, observations, focus groups, and some surveys, especially ones with open ended questions. Typically the data from qualitative methods doesn’t lend itself to statistical analyses.

Quantitative methods involve methods which will lend themselves to statistical analysis such as tests and multiple choice or Likert scale surveys .

Mixed methods combine qualitative methods with quantitative methods. For example a survey asking open ended questions about students feelings about a course can also contain Likert scale questions on the same topic (which would then be statistically analyzed). Or, you might collect data via interviews, as well as surveys. Or, you could collect statistical data while doing an interview.

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