How Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies May Be Used To Research Topics in Sport and Exercise - Coursework Example

Compare and Contrast How Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies May Be Used To Research Topics in Sport and Exercise Institution: Date: Compare and Contrast How Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies May Be Used To Research Topics in Sport and Exercise Introduction Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies are subdivisions of social research methods (Johnson & Christensen, 2000, 33). In this case, quantitative research method involves evaluation of things in terms of quantities; in fact, this evaluation is in numerical quantities (Johnson & Turner, 2003, 297). On the other hand, qualitative research method focuses on assessment of things based on their quality; in fact, this research method is applied by sociologist in the process of gathering data (Silverman, 2004, 2). Nevertheless, both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies have limitations and differences, though they have been developing for a long period in the field of natural science (Polgar & Thomas, 2000, 45). However, there have been numerous debates seeking to indentify the most appropriate research methodology to approach sport and exercise researches (Biddle, Markland, Gilbourne, Chatzisarantis & Sparkes, 2001, 777). This paper focuses on comparing and contrasting the way qualitative and quantitative research methodologies are applied in researching sport and exercise topics. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies have been applied in study of human beings by psychologists (Todd, Nerlich & McKeown, 2004, 16). Therefore, this has led to the need for reflecting distinction between these methodologies (Creswell, 2005, 5). In this case, these methodologies have clear differences in terms of aspects such as data analysis and collection. For instance, in quantitative research methodology, a phenomenon in sport and exercise research is reduced to numerical values in order to facilitate statistical analysis process (Maxwell & Loomis, 2003, 34). On the other hand, data collection in qualitative methodology involves non-numerical form i.e. photographs, video clips or texts. In addition, qualitative and quantitative approaches apply different objectives of scientific investigation, fundamental paradigms and meta-theoretical assumptions (Johnson & Turner, 2003, 297). Qualitative vs. Quantitative methodologies Based on quantitative methodology, psychological and social phenomena in sports and exercise research have real objectives. In fact, studies of correlation between these phenomena are generalized in order to facilitate predictability. On the other hand, social and psychological realities can also be developed through qualitative approaches. For instance, in qualitative, an objective in scientific study such as research topic in sport and exercise may be seeking understanding of behaviours of human beings. In this case, attempts using frames of references are made to comprehend small groups of participants; instead, of testing hypothesis on a large sample (Kemper, Stringfield & Teddlie, 2003, 273). However, quantitative methodology applies deductive hypothesis from the theory, which are tested through empirical or confirmatory study. Therefore, quantitative methodology develops hypothesis, which is an integral part of research process that is aimed at establishing ample theory based on observation made during the study. Application of quantitative methodology in sport and exercise focuses on embracing assumptions and methods of natural sciences in a broad perspective (Locke, 1989, 20). Moreover, variables involved in quantitative research are quantified and connection between them is assessed mathematically. In addition, a deductive approach is applied through quantitative methodology, whereby hypotheses are established based on the theory, data is collected in order to test hypotheses. In this case, quantitative methodology involves a shift from theory to data, thereby focusing on generalization and development of laws or statements. Therefore, data collected in sports and exercise research is aggregated across individuals or groups and means are compared in a quantitative research. On the other hand, there are no assumptions made in qualitative methodology; instead, methods of natural science are applied in qualitative researches (Polgar & Thomas, 2000, 38). Moreover, through qualitative methodology human beings are considered distinctive persons with intricacies of human social interactions that should not be reduced to mere numbers. Therefore, qualitative methodology focuses on uncovering and reporting quality of variables in sport and exercise research. Furthermore, an inductive approach is adopted in qualitative research methodology, whereby data is collected through observation and researchers are expected to work towards theoretical integration of that data (Creswell & Plano, 2007, 5). In this case, qualitative methodology involves a shift from data to theory, thereby rendering this approach to be idiographic due to a focus on individuality and distinctiveness. In sport and exercise field, quantitative approaches apply both experimental and non-experimental designs, while qualitative research approaches applies naturalistic design (Schutz, 1989, 31). Furthermore, qualitative methodologies focus on studying behaviours among participants in a sport and exercise research in natural settings. In this case, phenomena in the research are studied through their natural occurrence, thereby offering insignificantly controlled context of observation. Therefore, in qualitative research methodologies, designs are understood as they occur in natural circumstance in absence of external limits or control. Natural circumstance of observation in qualitative methodology is indispensable in understanding phenomena that is being investigated. In addition, there are notions claiming that more problems that are ethical are involved in application of qualitative methodology compared to quantitative methodology (Todd, Nerlich & McKeown, 2004, 40). Quantitative research methodology involves experimental designs that facilitate making inference concerning correlations between independent and dependent variables in a research. Therefore, this methodology involves direct manipulation of independent variables through accurate control of inappropriate variables (Onwuegbuzie & Teddlie, 2003, 315). However, there are situations where manipulation of independent variables is impossible, and this calls for implementation of non-experimental design. Nonetheless, research designs are significant because they offer guidance to researchers, while making decisions regarding research methods (Silverman, 2004, 45). Therefore, researchers are expected to choose a research design, through which they can set logic for interpreting findings from research at the end of research. Conclusion The paper has compared and contrasted both qualitative and quantitative methodologies applied in researching topics under sports and exercises. In fact, the paper has explored features attributed to qualitative and quantitative methodologies based on respective reference, methodological assumptions and research methods applied. Conventionally, quantitative methods were commonly applied in researching topics under sports science. However, there are changes, which have been experienced in methods applied in researching these topics. Therefore, this has led to the need for comparing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies in order to facilitate improvement of these researches. Therefore, the paper has explored the ways through which qualitative and quantitative methodologies can be applied differently in researching topics under sports and exercises. In fact, these details can contribute significantly to the process of deciding the most suitable methodology to be applied in conducting a given research under sports and exercises. References Biddle, S., Markland, D., Gilbourne, D., Chatzisarantis, N. & Sparkes, A. 2001, Research methods in Sport and Exercise science: Quantitative and Qualitative Issues. Journal of Sports Sciences, 19, 777-809. Creswell, J. W. 2005, Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research, 2nd edn, Upper Saddle River, Pearson Education. Creswell, J. & Plano L. 2007, Designing and conducting mixed methods research, Thousand Oaks, Sage Johnson, B. & Christensen, B. 2000, Educational research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches, Boston, Allyn and Bacon Johnson, B. & Turner, A. 2003, Data collection strategies in mixed methods research, In A. Tashakkori, & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook on mixed methods in the behavioural and social sciences, pp. 297–320, Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage. Maxwell, A. & Loomis, M. 2003, Mixed methods design: An alternative approach. In A. Tashakkori, & C. Teddlie (Eds), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioural research, Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage Kemper, E., Stringfield, S., & Teddlie, C. 2003, Mixed methods sampling strategies in social science research, In A. Tashakkori, & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioural research pp. 273–296, Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage. Locke, F. 1989, Qualitative research as a form of scientific enquiry in sport and physical education, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 60, p. 1-20 Schutz, R.W. 1989, Qualitative research: Comments and controversies, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 60, 30-35. Onwuegbuzie, J. & Teddlie, C. 2003, A framework for analyzing data in mixed methods research. In A. Tashakkori, & C. Teddlie, Eds, Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioural research, pp. 351–383, Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage. Polgar, S. & Thomas, S. 2000, Introduction to research in the health sciences, 4th edn, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh Silverman, D. 2004, Qualitative research: Theory, method and practice, 2nd edn, London, Sage. Todd, Z., Nerlich, B., & McKeown, S. 2004, Introduction, In Z. Todd, B. Nerlich, S. McKeown, & D. Clarke, Eds, Mixing methods in psychology: The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods in theory and practice, pp. 3–16, Hove & New York, Psychology Press. 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