Research Methodology and Gender

Research methods are tools psychologists use to investigate a domain of interest (e.g., gender roles). They allow researchers to describe phenomena, measure specific constructs (often called variables), or test hypotheses. Different methods have strengths [Page 1423]and weaknesses, depending on the researcher’s goal. Methods can be divided into two categories: quantitative and qualitative. Some researchers use one type of method exclusively, whereas others use one or the other, depending on the research question; still others combine both types within the same project. This entry provides an overview of commonly used quantitative and qualitative methods, the assumptions behind each type, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.