The research methods used for the communication PhD dissertation are similar to those used for other research. These methods are qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. However, data collection methods may change according to the research objectives and target audience.
In this article, we will explore different research methods you can use for data collection and analysis for your PhD dissertation in communication. If you have difficulty understanding the research methods and deciding which one to opt for your research, this guide is for you.
After reading this guide, you should be able to choose the suitable research method for your dissertation. If the issue still exists, you should not waste more time and acquire assistance from PhD Dissertation writing firms in the UK to do this heavy lifting for you.
What Are the Different Research Methods for Communication PhD Dissertation?
Multiple research approaches can be adopted to collect data and draw conclusions. Those research methods may vary in topic, objective, data type required, audience demographics, and variables. However, we have explained some research methods for your PhD dissertation on Mass Communications and cases where you can use those methodologies.
So, without further ado, let’s dig deeper into qualitative and quantitative research methods for your PhD dissertation in communication.
1. Qualitative Research Methods
Qualitative research methods are used when information about concepts, behaviours, thoughts, experiences, and perceptions of the participants need to be collected. The researcher asks broad and open-ended questions of the participants and tends to collect subjective data or personal views of the target audience.
These methods tend to find answers to why and how questions, which often require detailed and exploratory explanations of the ideas and concepts. Some methods that can be utilised in qualitative research are discussed in detail below.
a. In-Depth Interviews
In this research method for your communication PhD dissertation, the researcher conducts in-person interviews with the respondents and records their responses. This is different from survey interviews, which are more closed-ended and structured. On the other hand, in-depth interviews of respondents in qualitative research are unstructured and contain open-ended questions.
Unstructured interviews are more flexible and can pull out more information, insights, and detailed views of the interviewee. In communication research, you can utilise these in-depth interviews to gain participants’ insights about their lifestyle, behaviours, culture and personal preferences about a certain idea.
To carry out these sorts of interviews, you can choose a group of people as your target audience that has your required characteristics and observe their behaviours at different public points such as malls or markets. You can ask undetermined questions and modify your next question based on their response to the first one.
b. Focus Groups
The method of conducting research through focus group formation is pretty similar to that of in-depth interviews, but audience dynamics change. Where in-depth interviews were focussing on the people who are out shopping in malls and markets. Focus group method includes a small group of people with 6 to 12 individuals with common interests and similar characteristics.
In focus groups, instead of asking completely unstructured and unexpected questions, just like in public interviews, the researcher decides what topics will be discussed. The researcher also provides a suitable environment for the respondents to encourage them to share their perceptions and points of view.
The focus group interviews can reveal the actual status and perception of your target audience. To get the best out of these interviews, you need to plan your data analysis strategies beforehand.
c. Case Study Research
This research method for your communication PhD dissertation provides more in-depth information about a group of people, organisation, incidence, or social group. It is a kind of qualitative analysis of different scenarios that provide specific information and cannot be generalised. It’s like studying a particular event or incident, the factors that lead to that situation, and its impacts on a particular group of people, community, or focus group.
In case studies research, information is collected from multiple sources, such as an investigation, which may include general interviews and meetings with people closely related to the event, person, or organisation. This research method covers each and every aspect of the event leading to the current situation.
Case studies may contain some statistical data as well, along with the subjective information gathered for analysis. This is usually considered an expensive and time-consuming research method but provides the best possible results in the form of subjective information.
d. Ethnographic Research
This study involves observing the native cultures of your target audience by learning their language and living a similar life to them. It’s like you are observing their culture, situations, and habits. In this method, the researcher lives with their audience’s community and interacts with them through in-depth discussions of local issues, ideologies, and cultural impacts.
This is the best data collection method for observing and living the lives of people you are curious about. If you collect the insights through this method, you will be more certain of the originality and accuracy of the research.
How Do People Collect Data?
People interact more closely with their local community, with someone who lives the same life or experiences the same problems. This is also the same as case studies, a time-consuming and expensive research method that gathers more authentic and credible information.
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2. Quantitative Research Methods
Quantitative research methods are used where statistical data and empirical conclusions are needed. This method is all about numbers, theories, and relationships between multiple variables. It commonly includes experimental research, but non-experimental research is a major component of quantitative research methods.
All of the research types utilised in this method are discussed in detail below.
a. Survey Research
The survey research method is the most common and widely used method in quantitative communication research. Researchers use it to gather empirical data and perform descriptive analyses of phenomena. Surveys are considered a source of information from a large number of individuals, like the entire population of a country or a province.
This method can also be used to study small groups of people, such as office employees or supporters of a certain political movement. In this method, researchers collect data directly from their audience and analyse it to drive conclusions. Surveys can be conducted in different ways, such as telephonic interviews, digital surveys, or structured questionnaires.
b. Content Analysis
Content analysis is another research method for a communication PhD dissertation that involves analysing content published on multiple media platforms. This method’s audience includes both the content’s publisher and the person who consumed it.
This method does not include surveys or any sort of experimental data; instead, researchers analyse already published material. The researcher needs to find the right platform where their desired information is published or consumed.
For example, if you want to analyse the behaviours of people posting and watching memes, you would prefer such platforms where memes are mostly posted. If your target audience is politicians or information published on political issues and movements, your ideal platform can be X (Twitter).
c. Experimental Design
Two primary types of experimental research methods exist: true experimental research and quasi-experimental research. This type of research tends to gather and analyse statistical data to approve or disapprove a hypothesis. These methods are also expensive and need more time to complete. These are usually controlled experiments which involve media and measure the effects of certain experiences.
One example of these methods is analysing the effects of superheroes or violence-based cartoons on the minds of children. You can choose children of the same age group or academic level and show them a certain episode of cartoons, then ask questions about their experience.
d. Correlational Research
Correlational research is the study of relations between different variables that occur naturally. This method seeks information about whether two or more variables are related to each other and, if yes, in what order. For example, in Mass Communications, we will observe individuals’ purchasing habits in relation to the time they spend watching advertisements on TV.
However, this research remains non-experimental, and the researcher does not control or manipulate any of the variables. Simply put, correlational research investigates the relationship between multiple variables. For example, the relationship between unemployment and street crimes,
Conclusion
Reading the insights, we have provided above, we can sum up the discussion by saying that there are only two primary research methods for communication PhD dissertation. Qualitative and quantitative research methods have further branches of subject-specific methods, such as content analysis.
However, if you are still confused about what research method you should use for writing your thesis, then you can hire UK-based PhD Dissertation writers for their expert assistance. They will not only help you in your research but also help you write a well-researched paper per your academic needs.
In this article, we have provided information regarding all the research methods and situations in which you can use them. We hope you will find this guide helpful in your future pursuits.