Based on my topic of drug usage in the United States, I would use both qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect data. Qualitative research methods mainly involve using interviews, participant observation, as well as focus groups when conducting research. I would begin gathering the information I need through qualitative methods. I would use participant observation and interviews on the groups of people (mostly adolescents) that took part in the behavior that is of interest to me as a researcher: drug usage. I will start by exploring their justifications for using drugs. I will also conduct interviews with individuals who do not take drugs to find out their causes for not using drugs. Additionally, I would talk with people who are well-informed about the group that I am interested in to gain more insights on the group. By the end of this process, I should have a significant amount of narrative information that explained the significance of their behavior (drug use and non-use) to teenagers.
Utilizing the information gotten from the qualitative methods, I would then come up with instruments that would give me quantitative measures of particular constructs that affect the behavior of drug use and also analyze the relationship of drug use with other behaviors (Neuman, 2014). The survey instruments will enable me to examine my interests in more detail and with larger groups of individuals. I would use survey instruments to collect data on the things widely known to affect the behavior choices of a person especially when it comes to utilizing drugs.
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I would use a mixed method of research design since this technique can improve my comprehension of the research topic (drug use) by providing an absolute picture of drug usage in the U.S than either research method can (Wisdom, Cavaleri, Onwuegbuzie, & Green, 2012). A mixed method is also appropriate as it will provide me with additional explanations on the research results. It increases the profundity of understanding. The results from my quantitative research would illustrate, elaborate, improve, and clarify the results that I got from using qualitative research methods.
References
Neuman, L. (2014). Social research methods : qualitative and quantitative approaches. Harlow, Essex : Pearson.
Wisdom, J. P., Cavaleri, M. A., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Green, C. A. (2012). Methodological Reporting in Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Health Services Research Articles. Health Services Research , 721-745.
