Discuss these methods and give one example of how each would be used when conducting research using homeless individuals as subjects.

Quantitative research methods and qualitative research methods are two primary approaches to conducting research with homeless individuals as subjects. Quantitative research involves the collection of numerical data, often through surveys or experiments, which is then analyzed statistically. For example, one could survey a population of homeless individuals to better understand their individual characteristics such as age, gender, education level, employment status, etc. This type of study would provide critical insights into the population and help identify areas for further exploration.

Qualitative research takes an in-depth look at a particular phenomenon and seeks to uncover themes through interviews or participant observation. Qualitative techniques provide important insight into how people think about specific issues or experiences and allow researchers to see the issue from the perspective of those it affects most – in this case, homeless individuals. An example use might be conducting semi-structured interviews with recently homeless participants to explore their experience becoming homeless and their perceptions about potential solutions for getting off the streets permanently.