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Three Types of Communication Research Methods: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Participatory

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Handbook of Communication for Development and Social Change

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Abstract

This chapter presents a brief overview of the three types of communication research methods being applied in development communication settings: quantitative, qualitative, and participatory. This chapter attempts to outline the relative characteristics and merits of these approaches to research and to emphasize some of the philosophical issues which underpin them. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each and highlights the benefits of a more normative approach focused on the “poor” in society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Jan Servaes

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  1. Jan Servaes
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Correspondence to Jan Servaes .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Former UNESCO Chair in Communication for Sustainable Social Change, University of Leuven, Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Jan Servaes

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Servaes, J. (2020). Three Types of Communication Research Methods: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Participatory. In: Servaes, J. (eds) Handbook of Communication for Development and Social Change. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7035-8_112-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7035-8_112-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7035-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7035-8

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