Defining Formal and Informal Research Methods

Formal research method occurs when individuals search through electronic databases and libraries. This can be done through analyzing primary sources. Such as: interviews, surveys and conducting experiments.  

An example of how formal research should not consist of forcing others to give you information to analyze.

An Example of Formal Research Methods

An Example of Formal Research Method

On the other hand, informal research method occurs when individuals are seeking information from files, such as Company files. Interviewing a targeted audience and conducting an informal survey are also when informal research method may occur.

An Example of Informal Research Method

An Example of Informal Research Method

An Example of Informal Research Method

Practical Examples  

A practical example for formal research method is when customers take a service survey for a company. Then a company analyzes those surveys in order to enhance or personalize their services based on their customers' feedback. These surveys usually consist of close-ended questions which result in brief responses.

Another practical example is analyzing information that is already conducted into a database source. For instance when I am working on a school assignment, it may consist of searching through a database to analyze a specific research topic. Databases are primary sources given that an individual has to search through the database and choose one or more sources to analyze in order to complete their research assignment.

A practical example for informal research methods is when an interviewer sits down and gathers information through asking questions and listening to feedback from an interviewee. I personally experience this by going to a job interview. The interviewer asked me questions regarding why I would like to work for his or her company. As well as, the interviewer asked me what do I look forward to gaining from working with their company. This allows the interviewer to gain information to analyze and then make a decision to hire or not to hire a candidate for a job position. Although, in research this information would be use to analyze several candidates' responses and feedback. Then the research could come to a conclusion and base their research findings on why candidates are looking for a job by analyzing factors such as if they want a job to gain experiences in their chosen career field. Furthermore, this type of research methods requires open-ended questions due to the fact that individuals can elaborate on their responses which allows the interviewer to have a better understanding of what information they have gathered from the interview.


Which research method do you use often? Which one would you prefer over the other and why?

I prefer to use informal research methods because it requires hands on information and you get an extensive view on the information you are seeking for.