Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research - Essay Example

Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research Introduction While conducting a research one may opt to take the qualitative research strategy or the quantative research strategy. Decisions about which kind of research method to use may also be based on the researcher's own experience and preference, the population being researched, the proposed audience for findings, time, money and other resources available (Hathaway, 1995). On one hand, qualitative research strategy involves the collection of data and presenting it in form of words. In addition, qualitative research strategy is basically interested in the process of research because the plan and understanding a social or human problem from multiple perspectives. On the other hand, quantitative research is an inquiry into an identified problem, based on testing a theory, measured with numbers, and analyzed using statistical techniques (Hathaway, 1995). Although some research may incorporate both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, in their ‘pure’ form there are significant differences in the assumptions underlying these approaches, as well as in the data collection and analysis procedures used (Miles &Huberman, 1994) Various forums and discussions have erupted to suggest which research method is better that the other one but each has its own strengths and weaknesses (Lee, 1998). Due to such debates and discussions, qualitative research has been credited with the presentation of data in words while quantative research has been notably seen to steer itself towards the usage of numbers. The following paper describes and explains the assertion that qualitative research method is inclined to words while quantitative research method is biased to numbers and statistical procedures. Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research On one hand, qualitative research as described by Gall, Borg and Gall (2003), ‘is all about exploring issues, understanding phenomena, and answering questions’. In addition, Meyer (2003) describes it as ‘the method which investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where and when’. It was noted that qualitative research presents data in language form which is gathered from the study area. As described by Gotham (2001) ‘In qualitative research, it is thought that the researcher can learn the most by participating or being immersed in the research’. Moreover, Edward & Richard (1979) explain further that, ‘qualitative research emphasizes the importance of looking at variables in the natural setting in which they are found. Interaction between variables is important’. This explains that qualitative research is based on words representing the data collected. As Meyer (2003) describes it ‘realities exist in any given situation, that is, the researcher’s, those of the individuals being investigated, and the reader or audience interpreting the results; these multiple perspectives, or voices, of informants (i.e., subjects) are included in the study. The research puts in perspective these people who would greatly influence the kind of data to be collected and submitted (Monroe, 2004). In addition, reality is socially constructed with the data being gathered from a multitude of people, primacy of subject matter; the research is geared towards knowing what factors underlie in a certain context, variables are complex, interwoven, and difficult to measure (Given & Lisa, 2008). This brings in the presentation of data in words to explain the terms which cannot be exploited by statistical methods. Further, it has been noted that the researcher interacts with those he studies and actively works to minimize the distance between the researcher and those being researched (Miles & Huberman, 1994). As further stated by Lee (1998) ‘researchers typically become members of a culture, group, or setting, and adopt roles to conform to that setting. In doing so, the aim is for the researcher to gain a closer insight into the culture's practices, motivations and emotions’. This enables the researcher to get the first hand information and in order to enable the researcher to gain and present the actual non distorted information. This enhances the assertion that qualitative research is basically based on words and natural language. In addition Edward & Richard (1979) note that, ‘the researcher explicitly recognizes and acknowledges the value-laden nature of the research’. This helps in contextualization of the situation of the research, interpretation of the data collected and understanding actors' perspectives for a proper presentation of the data. As further explained by Gotham (2001), ‘Only time- and context-bound working hypotheses (idiographic statements) are possible’. The explanations and exhibition of data is in the form and situation that it was collected. The data collected is in the perception that the actor presents it (John, 2005). This further alludes to the assertion that qualitative research is biased to words. As explained by Monroe (2004), ‘the research is based on inductive forms of logic; categories of interest emerge from informants (subjects), rather than being identified a priori by the researcher’. The research as further noted by Gotham (2001), ‘involves fieldwork; the researcher physically goes to the people, setting, site, or institution to observe or record behavior in its natural setting’. This helps in one on one interaction with the subjects further emphasizing that qualitative research is based on words and natural language. In addition, qualitative research is descriptive in that the researcher is interested in process, meaning, and understanding gained through words or pictures (Myers, 2002). Qualitative research may involve many fields of study which mostly rely on the use of words to summarize the data collected. For example, Ethnographic Research is used for investigating cultures by collecting and describing data that is intended to help in the development of a theory (Gotham, 2001). It may also involve Critical Social Research, which used by a researcher to understand how people communicate and develop symbolic meanings (Gotham, 2001). In addition, it may also include ethical inquiry which is an intellectual analysis of ethical problems. Foundational research is also part of qualitative research which examines the foundations for a science, analyzes the beliefs, and develops ways to specify how a knowledge base should change in light of new information. Also as described by John (2005), ‘qualitative research includes historical Research which allows one to discuss past and present events in the context of the present condition an in turn helps us in answering questions such as: Where have we come from, where are we, who are we now and where are we going’. These kind of researches mainly rely on the conclusive data be written in words to present the real situation on the ground (Myers, 2002). This further explains the assertion that qualitative research is mainly based on words to describe the findings. On the other hand, as described by Gotham (2001) ‘quantitative research is an inquiry into an identified problem; based on testing a theory, measured with numbers, and analyzed using statistical techniques’. The idea of data and research being based on numbers is also emphasized by Monroe (2004) by saying ‘qualitative analysis is a systematic empirical investigation of social phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques’. In addition, the assumptions made in quantitative research basically revolve around the notion that social facts have the objectivity of reality (Given & Lisa, 2008). Therefore, Quantative research collects data in form of numbers with a larger inclination on testing whether the predictions made are true. As opposed to qualitative research, quantitative research is objective or existent regardless of the researcher of evidence in the case of study. In addition, the research is independent of variables like past outcomes, predictions or human feelings. As Miles & Huberman (1994) explain ‘In quantitative research, the researcher is ideally an objective observer who neither participates in nor influences what is being studied’. The researcher only collects the data (Given & Lisa, 2008). It is also evident that in quantitative research the data collected is more important than the people or study examples. This further explains that in quantitative research it is more inclined to numbers and figure collected. While conducting a quantitative research the main aim is the collection of statistical data. As explained by Miles & Huberman (1994), ‘The aim is to classify features, count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed’. Data collection is merely a survey scheme where only the required numbers or digits are recorded. Other important features of the survey or study maybe left out. In addition, qualitative research would not include the respondents or participant’s view or opinion. It is more inclined to generalization, prediction and casual explanations (Meyer, 2003). This would further make the data collected not completely conclusive on the issue that was being investigated. It further emphasizes the assertion that quantitative research is numbers oriented. In addition, quantative research involves the usage of formal methods of analysis or questioning. They may include questionnaires, specific questions and hypothetical questions or a fill in form. As described by John (2005), ‘Quantative methods produce information only on the particular cases studied and any more general conclusions are only hypotheses’. Quantitative research often “forces” responses or people into categories that might not “fit” in order to make meaning (Given & Lisa, 2008). This emphasizes the collection of statistical data rather than the collection of full case study results further explaining and supporting the assertion that quantitative data research is only concerned with the numbers collected in the study. In general quantitative research begins with hypotheses and theories which are to be investigated or studied, and then manipulation and control of the collected data follows to limit the number of unwanted or irrelevant data. During data collection, the use of formal instruments to collect the data is employed in order to get the specified data through experimentation and surveys (Lee, 1998). After the data is collected, deductive and component analysis follows in order to seek consensus and maintain the norm. The researcher then reduces the data to numerical indices and comprehensive results are recorded. Finally, an abstract language in write-up is made to conclusively summarize the information gathered (Miles &Huberman, 1994). This further explains that quantative research is only inclined to the numerical results. It has also been noted that the process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides the fundamental connection between empirical observation and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships. Calculations and deductions are made after the data has been collected. Any other emerging data would be put in the contextual hypothesis or be represented by the already compiled information. It has been reported that all the information gathered using quantitative research is doctored of made to fit to the information that was required. The results collected represent the general area of study further explaining the assertion that quantitative research is biased to numerical outcomes rather than natural outcomes. Conclusion Qualitative research has been highlighted as a research which is more inclined to the presentation of information collected in words. The researcher becomes one of the major tools of conducting the research because the outcomes are generally based on his or her view of the study. Throughout the discussion, it has been identified that qualitative research ends with hypotheses and grounded theory, portrays emergence of new and unattended issues in the hypothesis, the researcher as instrument of the research because he or she is the data collector, it deals with naturalistic situations and atmospheres. In addition it searches for patterns and seeks pluralism and eventually makes minor use of numerical indices Descriptive write-up. On the other hand, quantative data is more inclined to research and data presentation which is more inclined to numbers and statistical figures. Qualitative research has been noted to begin with hypotheses and theories, displays manipulation and control of the gathered information and uses formal instruments of data collection and experimentation. In addition, it involves deductive arguments, Component analysis, seeks consensus for data to fit in the norm, reduces data to numerical indices and finally abstract language is used in write-up of the conclusive summaries. References Edward G. Carmines (Author), Richard A. Z (1979) Reliability and Validity Assessment (Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences).Sage Publications Gall M. D., Borg W. R., Gall & J. P. (2003). Educational research: An introduction. (7th Edition). New York: Longman Given, Lisa M. (2008). The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. Los Angeles, Calif.: Sage Publications. Gotham D. N (2001) Research: An Intellectual Look In The Process And Data Collected. Routledge Hathaway F.K. (1995). The Methods and Strategies of Research. Good Books Publications John L.H (2005). Research and Data collection Methods. California: Sage Publications. Meyer J. S. (2003) Qualitative Vs Quantative methods of Research. New York: Longman Miles M.B, Huberman A.M (1994).Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook (2nd Edition) Texas: Green gates Publishers Monroe J. S. (2004). The Research Guide: Qualitative and Quantative Research Strategies. Routledge Myers J. L. & Well A. D. Research Design & Statistical Analysis (2002). Routledge Thomas W. Lee. (1998) Using Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research (Organizational Research Methods). Sage Publications. Read More