¿Qué son las TÉCNICAS DE INVESTIGACIÓN? Tipos, características y ejemplos

Main ideas and lessons

• Research techniques are “processes and instruments” used when starting a study of a phenomenon.
• Their purpose is to collect, examine, and present information so researchers can achieve the central goal of research: acquiring new knowledge.
• Selecting the appropriate technique is fundamental and depends on:
  • the problem to be solved
  • the objectives set for the study
• Different topics require different methods (e.g., studying a social group’s beliefs vs. evaluating a drug’s effectiveness and safety).

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Types of research techniques

1) Quantitative research

Core concept

• Based on objectivity and is empirical.
• Produces numerical data, enabling the establishment of causal relationships among characteristics of the phenomenon.
• Goal: numerically convey observations and reach specific, observable, general, and unrepeatable conclusions.

Main techniques (4)

• Surveys
• Correlational (relational) studies
• Causal-comparative studies
• Experimental studies

A) Surveys

• How data is obtained: through a questionnaire.
• Statistical-method workflow described:
  • Design the questionnaire according to the stated objectives
  • Determine how the questionnaire will be administered (how information will be collected)
  • Determine how data will be analyzed

B) Relational / correlational studies

• Purpose: determine the degree of relationship between two or more variables in a population.
• How the relationship is estimated: using statistical methods.

Relationship direction

• Positive relationship example:
  • Infection cases (variable 1) increase as malnutrition level (variable 2) increases
  • “Positive” because both rise
• Negative relationship example:
  • Child malnutrition decreases as the mother’s knowledge about breastfeeding importance increases
  • “Negative” because one rises while the other falls

C) Causal-comparative studies (cause-and-effect with timing)

• Purpose: discover a cause-and-effect relationship by establishing the time when cause and effect occur.

Classification (as described)

• Retrospective research
  • The researcher analyzes the problem after effects have already occurred
  • Example: a teacher evaluates how students responded to assigned math activities
• Prospective research
  • Begins before events occur
  • Starts with causes and attempts to evaluate effects
  • Example: a teacher implements a new reading strategy and evaluates student progress

D) Experimental studies

• Key feature: start by formulating a hypothesis (a claim meant to be proven or disproven).
• The researcher:
  • controls a specific variable
  • evaluates the effects of that control on the population/sample
• Outcome:
  • the hypothesis is proven or rejected
  • leads to a conclusion about the relationship between the two variables

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2) Qualitative research

Core concept

• Aims to understand and interpret social interactions.
• Produces descriptions of:
  • settings
  • people
  • communities
• Unlike quantitative methods, qualitative techniques focus more on the context and place the research in a naturalistic and human perspective.
• Especially useful when:
  • the topic is sensitive
  • or related to social problems
  • and researchers need to build trust with participants.

Techniques/methods listed

• Observation
• Bibliographic research
• Ethnographic studies
• Phenomenological studies (called “logical phenomena” in the subtitles)
• Grounded theory
• Narrative and visualization methods
• Case studies

A) Observation

• Definition: researcher goes to the phenomenon/situation/environment to obtain information.
• When used:
  • at the beginning of research
  • when there isn’t much information about the phenomenon
• Role throughout research: it remains fundamental because it provides much of the data.

Forms of observation

• Participant observation: researcher includes themselves in the group/event/phenomenon studied.
• Non-participant observation: researcher selects data from outside without intervening in the social group/object.
• Note from subtitles: most scientific observations are non-participant.

B) Bibliographic research

• Purpose: explores what has been written in the scientific community about a topic/problem.
• Functions listed:
  • support/substantiate the planned research
  • avoid duplicating research already done
  • learn from prior experiments to repeat steps if needed
  • continue previous research that was interrupted or not completed
  • gather relevant information and build the theoretical framework

C) Ethnographic studies

• Used to analyze the patterns of behavior, beliefs, habits, conditions, and ways of life of a human group.
• Can involve diverse groups (e.g., regional ethnicities, organized groups).
• Focuses on shared elements that form a cultural unit.

D) Phenomenological studies

• Based on analysis of everyday experiences of human beings.
• Goal: understand the meaning people give to their problems and difficulties.

E) Grounded theory

• Key principle: develops theory from data, not from starting theory.
• Used beyond social sciences, including:
  • health services research
  • nursing studies
  • education
• Example given: evaluating a patient’s symptoms and signs determines initial steps for disease control.

F) Narrative and visualization methods

• Narrative: focuses on how people tell their stories to reveal how they give meaning to events and situations.
• Visualization methods: ask participants to describe the problem using designs like:
  • maps
  • diagrams
  • other images
• Example given: participants draw a sketch of their community and indicate risk areas/zones for buildings or facilities.

Public health use case mentioned

• Community members describe how/where a skin infection affected them
• Helps the researcher understand the public concept of health
• Enables health professionals to apply intervention, treatment, and prevention measures

G) Case study

• In-depth examination of a single person or institution.
• Objective: provide the most accurate representation possible of the studied individual.
• Common in psychology when the case is complex and needs special attention.
• Includes:
  • in-depth interviews
  • a detailed review of the person’s entire history
• Emphasis: because it focuses on individuality, it enables deep understanding through intensive analysis of specific details.

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Speakers / sources featured

• No specific individual speakers or external sources are identified in the provided subtitles (only general references to “the researcher” and the described methods).