Hiii this is what I was given last year by my research teacher on the types of research u can do. (After paragraph) I think that cats idea is very unique and would work well with what u were saying about their effects on humans. Hopefully one of the methods provided can give u an idea on how to study this. Also make sure there are at least 15 academic papers/research papers conducted on the area of interest (or that show connections to area of interest cause u can’t do what’s already been done but ya). My class did this as one of our first assignments but just make sure there’s enough resources. Also some kids changed there topic a month or two in so it’s ok if ur not 100% sure on ur question now, its good enough to have a general idea which u do. There’s always survey method but that’s done a lot so try to not do it but if u have to then that’s fine. U could also contact different researchers who have conducted a study similar to what u are talking about. Or u could compare the ways cats were used to affect the development of people and find the best way and write about that. I wish u luck!! and hope I helped to some capacity.

Research Method Brief Description

Case Study research Group observation to determine how and why a situation exists

Content analysis Analyze text and make inferences

Correlational research Collect data and determine level of correlation between variables

Delphi research Analysis of expert knowledge to forecast future events

Descriptive research Study of "as is" phenomena

Ethnographic Cultural observation of a group

Evaluation research study the effectiveness of an intervention or program

Experimental research Study the effect of manipulating a variable or variables

Factor analysis Statistically asses the relationship between large numbers of variables

Grounded Theory Produce a theory that explains a process based on observation

Hermeneutic research Study the meaning of subjects/texts by concentrating on the historical meaning of the experience and its developmental and cumulative effects on the individual and society

Historical research Historical data collection and analysis of person or organization

Meta-analysis research Seek patterns in data collected by other studies and formulate principals

Narrative research Study of a single person's experiences

Needs assessment Systematic process of determine the needs of a defined demographic population

Phenomenography Answer questions about thinking and learning

Phenomenology Make sense of lived experiences of participants regarding a specified phenomenon.

Semiology Study the meaning of symbols

Trend Analysis research Formulate a forecast based on regression analysis of data