What is research participants, types and sources of data
Research participants are individuals or groups of people who are involved in a research study. They can be surveyed, interviewed, observed, or otherwise interacted with in order to gather data for the study.
Types of research participants can vary depending on the nature of the research. They may include:
1. General population: A broad sample of individuals from the general population who represent a particular demographic or geographic area.
2. Specific population: Individuals who possess certain characteristics or traits that are of interest to the study. For example, individuals with a specific medical condition, students from a particular school, or employees from a specific company.
3. Key informants: Experts or individuals with in-depth knowledge about a specific topic or issue, often consulted to provide insights, opinions, or additional data.
4. Gatekeepers: Individuals who control access to a specific group or population, such as community leaders, organization heads, or teachers.
5. Vulnerable populations: Individuals who may be at risk or face unique challenges, such as children, elderly, minority groups, individuals with disabilities, or those living in poverty.
Sources of data in research can be categorized into two main types:
1. Primary data: This is the original data collected directly from the research participants for the specific research study. It is gathered through methods like surveys, interviews, experiments, observations, or focus groups.
2. Secondary data: These are data that already exist and have been collected by someone else for a different purpose. Secondary data can be obtained from sources such as government reports, academic journals, books, online databases, or previously conducted studies.