A focus group is a research method that brings together a small group of people to answer questions in a moderated setting. The group is chosen due to predefined demographic traits, and the questions are designed to shed light on a topic of interest.
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An unstructured interview is a data collection method that relies on asking participants questions to collect data on a topic. Also known as non-directive interviewing, unstructured interviews do not have a set pattern and questions are not arranged in advance.
In research, unstructured interviews are usually qualitative in nature, and they can be very helpful for social science or humanities research focusing on personal experiences.
An unstructured interview can be a particularly useful exploratory research tool. Known for being very informal and flexible, they can yield captivating responses from your participants.
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A semi-structured interview is a data collection method that relies on asking questions within a predetermined thematic framework. However, the questions are not set in order or in phrasing.
In research, semi-structured interviews are often qualitative in nature. They are generally used as an exploratory tool in marketing, social science, survey methodology, and other research fields.
They are also common in field research with many interviewers, giving everyone the same theoretical framework, but allowing them to investigate different facets of the research question.
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A structured interview is a data collection method that relies on asking questions in a set order to collect data on a topic. It is one of four types of interviews.
In research, structured interviews are often quantitative in nature. They can also be used in qualitative research if the questions are open-ended, but this is less common.
While structured interviews are often associated with job interviews, they are also common in marketing, social science, survey methodology, and other research fields.
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An interview is a qualitative research method that relies on asking questions in order to collect data. Interviews involve two or more people, one of whom is the interviewer asking the questions.
There are several types of interviews, often differentiated by their level of structure. Structured interviews have predetermined questions asked in a predetermined order. Unstructured interviews are more free-flowing, and semi-structured interviews fall in between.
Interviews are commonly used in market research, social science, and ethnographic research.
Continue reading: Types of Interviews in Research | Guide & Examples
The acknowledgements section is your opportunity to thank those who have helped and supported you personally and professionally during your thesis or dissertation process.
Thesis or dissertation acknowledgements appear between your title page and abstract and should be no longer than one page.
In your acknowledgements, it’s okay to use a more informal style than is usually permitted in academic writing, as well as first-person pronouns. Acknowledgements are not considered part of the academic work itself, but rather your chance to write something more personal.
To get started, download our step-by-step template in the format of your choice below. We’ve also included sample sentence starters to help you construct your acknowledgments section from scratch.
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An observational study is used to answer a research question based purely on what the researcher observes. There is no interference or manipulation of the research subjects, and no control and treatment groups.
These studies are often qualitative in nature and can be used for both exploratory and explanatory research purposes. While quantitative observational studies exist, they are less common.
Observational studies are generally used in hard science, medical, and social science fields. This is often due to ethical or practical concerns that prevent the researcher from conducting a traditional experiment. However, the lack of control and treatment groups means that forming inferences is difficult, and there is a risk of confounding variables impacting your analysis.
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Mixed methods research combines elements of quantitative research and qualitative research in order to answer your research question. Mixed methods can help you gain a more complete picture than a standalone quantitative or qualitative study, as it integrates benefits of both methods.
Mixed methods research is often used in the behavioral, health, and social sciences, especially in multidisciplinary settings and complex situational or societal research.
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If you use someone else’s words or ideas without properly crediting them, you could be committing plagiarism. The consequences of plagiarism vary based on the severity of the offence.
| Level of plagiarism | Examples | Likely consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Mild |
|
Grade penalty or automatic zero |
| Moderate |
|
Failing grade on course |
| Severe |
|
Academic probation or expulsion |
Plagiarism can also have serious consequences in secondary school. Some secondary schools use plagiarism checkers and treat plagiarism the same way universities do, and university admissions officers will typically disregard your application if they find you’ve plagiarised any part of it.
Continue reading: Consequences of Mild, Moderate & Severe Plagiarism
Plagiarism often involves using someone else’s words or ideas without proper citation, but you can also plagiarise yourself. Self-plagiarism means reusing work that you have already published or submitted for a class. It can involve:
Self-plagiarism misleads your readers by presenting previous work as completely new and original. If you want to include any text, ideas, or data that you already submitted in a previous assignment, be sure to inform your readers by citing yourself.
Continue reading: What Is Self-Plagiarism? | Definition & How to Avoid It