Definition and Comparison of the Qualitative and Quantitative Approach - Assignment Example

Question one Definition and comparison of the two Alternative Approaches Qualitative Vs Quantitative approach A. Quantitative research This is the methodical pragmatic examination of recognizable phenomenon via arithmetical, statistical, or numerical data or computational approach. The objective of the quantitative research is to create and appreciate a numerical model, hypothesis, and assumptions concerning a phenomenon (David Magnusson, 2006).The progression of assessing the core to quantitative research since it provide the basic association connecting the practical observation as well as a numerical expression of quantitative connection. The data that is numerical like the statistics and fraction, therefore implies that the quantitative research seek to get answer to specific question as well as gather a sample of arithmetical data from observable phenomena or from investigating participant to respond the query. B. Qualitative research This research seeks wide questions and gathers sound data from the phenomenon. The examiner looks for the topic and illustrates the information in topic and prototypes restricted to that set of participants. Qualitative research techniques are suitable for specific kind of study; the research can provide a fortune and concentration of comprehensive in a manner that it cannot. Quantitative research approach permits a comprehensive scrutiny of matters, answering the query of meaning who is affected and why, what factors are relevant as well as whether people responds in a different way to each other (Lynn 2010). Qualitative research such as semi-structured interrogation, case studies, and storyline can in due course disclose more concerning the efficiency of a form of a project (Harry T. Reis, 2000). The research seeks to comprehend a specific study problem from the point of view of the local population it comprise of Qualitative research is specifically efficient in attaining culturally unique information concerning the values, opinion, attributes as well as social context of specific population. Example of each of the Alternative 1. Quantitative method A. Questionnaire In contrast to interview, where an enumerator poses the question directly, questionnaire refers to forms filled in by the respondent alone. Questionnaires can be handled out and later collected by stamped addressed envelope. Questionnaire approach can be adopted for the entire population. The method may be employed to collect data regular routine data for specialized research, a questionnaire commands the responded to fill out the form personally and so commands a high level of literacy, where there are numerous languages, a questionnaire should be prepared to cater for the diverse languages of the target group. To obtain entire information from the respondent, the questionnaire should be clear simply and with target questions. Questionnaire must be brief and where the questionnaire is being given to a sample population, and then it may be preferable to prepare numerous smaller and targeted questions 2. Example of qualitative research methods A. interview Personal interview surveys are employed to probe the solution of the respondent and at the same time to observe the behavior of the respondent, either personally or as a group. The personal interview approach is favored by examiners for diverse advantages. However, prior to considering the approach as the ideal method of personal survey, a researcher can ascertain the advantage and disadvantage of a personal interview. In interviews, information is acquired by way of question and recorded by the enumerator (Newman, 1998). Prearranged interviews are executed by employing survey forms, while open interviews are noted afterward prearranged for more study. Even though prearranged interviews can be employed to get hold of almost any information as with questionnaires, information is based on individual judgment. Data on variables are subjected to error because of poor approximation or deliberate mistake of susceptible information. The data collection tool that was deem relevant for this research was the surveying and filling of questionnaires {Newman 1998). The tool was considered relevant since, it is less costly, saves time as well as it provides first hand information from the respondent that can be fully relied upon in conclusion on the project relevance. There are three key qualitative approach employed in research. They are Participant observation This method is relevant to collecting data on naturally occurring attributes in their normal context In-depth interviews The method is optimal for collecting data on individual’s past trend, perception, as well as experience specifically when the sensitive topic is being examined. Focus group This is an effective approach to extracting data on the cultural norms of a group as well as in generating a wide preview of issues of concern to the cultural groups or subgroup represented. Question two; Cross sectional versus longitudinal Approach Cross-sectional Analysis The research is also called observational study is planned to evaluate several population group at a single point in time rather than collecting past data on a single variable. A cross section is framed, permitting an examiner to depict the dissimilarity among population subset in numerous categories. The survey frequently provides data that disclose small change yearly. This is more specifically when we consider the data. Longitudinal survey further facilitates the researcher to distinguish as well as scrutinize changes and trends Example of cross-sectional Analysis Industrial comparison Cross sectional analysis entails the investor conducting the business performance in relation to industrial performance/ peers. The researcher makes a comparison with one business in relation\ to the industrial trend to unearth the utmost sort. In addition, coming up with a conclusive proof of the business situation as well as the step to undertake (Teti, 2008). Where a company executes an industrial comparison with its internal performance in order to ascertain the extent of business performance, the analysis will be deem as cross sectional. The analysis involves the appraisal of business performance in comparison with industrial performance. The analysis therefore gives a platform for an analyst to make a conclusive research based on finding from internal and external environment. When performing this type of an analysis, a researcher seeks to establish by employing the comparative metrics, the valuation, as well as the operational efficiency of the target company. This permits the analyst to appraise the target corporation effectively in these areas as well as to make the most venture solution among a group of competitors or the industry (William Lawrence Goodwin, 1996). A research must carefully consider the specific operating traits of a competitor in making a comparison as well as the extent it affects whichever proportional metrics employed. Longitudinal research Longitudinal research is observational implying that the there is no intrusion with the subject and or the respondent. The advantage of the research method is that instead of collecting data, the similar variable, similar subject are observed severally. The simplest sort of longitudinal study of survey data such as the trend analysis that study the entire change/Trend analysis has some relevance limitation while it can disclose changes (William Lawrence Goodwin, 1996). It provides small impeding as to the manner why the changes are seen. The key probability is that a person changes their traits as they more through the life cycle. An example of longitudinal research are as follows; the Panel, the cohort and the retrospective The panel method normally entails a random sample of subject while a chart research observes the subject in same grouped based on the age, sex or on common experience, retrospective research entails past data ,time in comparison to update data. Example of longitudinal Analysis The trend Analysis The trend analysis examines entire chance over a period, trend analysis has some considerable drawbacks while it can portray changes, it can give a small insight as to how the changes have occurred. The likelihood is that personal change their traits as they move through the life cycle. Trend analysis therefore considers historical performance as well as present trend and consequently the data provides the understanding of phenomena in a research and conclusion reached. Question 3 Analysis of the specific circumstance where each approach is relevant Cross sectional examination is executed at a point in time or over a short period, they are normally executed to approximate the occurrence of the outcome in a given population and data set under investigation. Cross sectional research provides a snapshot of the result as well as the traits connected with it at a specific point in time. Cross sectional research therefore is relevant when the objective of the study is descriptive, frequently by way of a survey. Normally there is no assumption but the objective is to explain a population or a subset of the population within regards to the result as well as a set of threat factors (Bajpai, 2008). The purpose of the study is to discover the occurrence of the result of interest for the population or subset wi9thin the population at a given point in time. Cross sectional research is at times executed to research connection been the risk factors and the result of interest. There are inadequate since it is executed at a point in time and provides no indication of the series of happening Longitudinal approach This research is a correlation study that entails the study of a similar item over long period unlike the cross sectional research that study phenomena for a short period. The approach is frequently employed to research development tendency for a long period of the life span. Longitudinal research trail is the same individual as well as the dissimilarity across a generation. The likelihood of creating a research using the longitudinal approach is built on a mix of qualitative and quantitative research. Longitudinal research normally combines both the widespread and demanding approaches. Analysis of the specific circumstance in quantitative and qualitative method Testing the hypothesis is an activity that commands the use of quantitative research method. A hypothesis is a cautious justification that account for a set of reality and might be tested by examination. Quantitative examiners design research that permits us to test this hypothesis by collecting the data and employing the statistical approach to arriving at whether or not to reject or accept the null hypothesis. Some of the research question requiring the use of the quantitative method is the numerical answers such as “how manner patient choose the medical studies (Newman, 1998).This type of question cannot be answered by the set of Qualitative, non-numerical approach since; numerical change can similarly precisely be examined just by appreciating the quantitative approach. Another way to use quantitative research method is when trying to find out the concurring the situation of something, we frequently need to give details of the phenomena. The researcher scrutinizes the data collected with the aid of statistics with the hope that the statistics will generate a non-discriminatory result that can be widespread to some better inhabitants. Research projects employing the qualitative measures have smaller sample sizes than quantities studies. This in itself leads to a different approach when it comes to making use of the data collected; the central part of the qualitative analysis is interpretation. The larger sampling available to quantities research methods enables the result to be comprehensive from the research model to the inhabitants at large. In qualitative research, such generalizing ability is not a relevant criterion. Qualitative research seeks to deal with human understanding and as such is further related to transferability as a way of authenticating findings and therefore, Research adhere to this decisive factor of transferability when the findings fit into circumstance outside the research circumstances that are resolute by the resemblance or decency of fit involving the two circumstances. Quantitative research is about gathering data to expound a specific phenomenon specific question appearing instantaneous suited to being answered employing quantitative approach. In summary, the dissimilarity between quantitative and qualitative research method is their flexibility. The quantitative research method is inflexible with a quantitative approach to survey n conclusion, the advantages of qualitative research methods are that they permit the human in the progression liberty to be seen, and heard. They are suitable for responsive matters that might necessitate inquisitive for more information as well as ultimate for generating a hypothesis that might then be tested using quantitative approach (Teti, 2008). They can be appreciated to pre-test a number of materials to find out what objective viewers imagine it. This in turn assist inform conclusion making. In this regard, qualitative and quantitative method should be used in the data collection investigation and analysis since, the method provides reliable information with low sampling errors, and thus it saves time and cost to the researcher. References Amora, M., 2010. Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research-when to use. Surveygizmo. Bajpai, N.2008. Business Research Methods. India: Pearson Education India. David Magnusson, P.C.2006. Longitudinal Research on Individual Development: Present Status and Future Perspective. London: Cambridge University Press. Harry T. Reis, C.M.J.2000. Handbook of Research Methods in Social and Personality Psychology. London: Cambridge University Press. Moorman, R.&.C., 2008. Cross sectional versus longitudinal survey research. Market research, XLV. Neil, J. 2007. QUalitative Versus quantitative. Research Method Newman, I.1998. Qualitative-quantitative Research Methodology: Exploring the Interactive Continuum. New York: SIU Press. OldpuebloAcademy, 2014. QUalitative versus quantitative research method. How to write a comparison research paper. payne, G., 2004. Longitudinal and cross sectional studies. SAGE research method.Teti, D.M.2008. Handbook of Research Methods in Developmental Science. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Thomas, R.M.2003. Blending Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Theses and Dissertations. New York: Corwin Press. William Lawrence Goodwin,G.1996. Understanding Quantitative and Qualitative Research in Early Childhood Education. Teachers College Press: London. Yilmaz, K., 2014. comparison of qualitative and quantitative research. Wiley Online LIbrary, 2. Read More