Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods - Essay Example

?Quantitative and Qualitative research methods Research in general is a process of instigating a critically and studying it from different dimensions with focus on all probable outcomes and possibilities. The scope of research is very broad and applies to every discipline of life. Research in a particular discipline helps us in number of ways. It gives a picture of the actual facts and the circumstances that can affect the subject and study. Research is a separate discipline in itself and needs proper formulation for conducting it. Broadly, research methods are divided into two categories namely quantitative research method and qualitative research method. Both are different in nature and have different applicability. Both the methods find their applications in different disciplines and have strengths and shortcomings in various domains. There are certain pre requisites that apply to each of them and each of them underlines a specific method of implementation. Qualitative research method: This method of research is subjective in nature which mostly contains case studies, interviews, unlike quantitative methods the outcomes are in textual form and not in digits and statistical values. Questions like why, where when who are touched upon by this type of research method. Qualitative approach is scientific in nature and may not have a fixed deterministic solution by end of research conducted. Such research can be helpful in studying the behaviors, approach, their fears and concerns including natural response, dealing with opinions and possibly culture oriented issues. While quantitative research provides fixed results, their counterpart lay foundation for the study and research beyond the point where the scope of quantitative research ends. Such research approaches are inductive in nature and the mode of language used is informal .Furthermore, qualitative research is most suited to the initial stages (Merriam, 2009). The tools and techniques that might be used during qualitative approach can possibly include memos, interviews, artifacts, picture or any piece of video (Pitney & Parker,pg53, 2009) . Stressing on the importance of qualitative approach Donald Campbell stated that “All research ultimately has a qualitative grounding” (Farrell, pg8, 2011). Characteristic feature of such an approach is its ability to address the intangible aspects of society and human nature. Lincoln defines qualitative research as interpretive and naturalistic in nature (Flick,pg2, 2007). Three broad types of qualitative research encompass Case studies: while adopting case studies for purpose of research, focus is concentrated on an individual phenomena and concept that are constrained by duration and activities. Various data collection procedures are adopted during the case study approach. Phenomenological studies: In such approach attempt is being made to get the response of people based on their personal experience about a particular instance and event, intensive research is being carried out number of times through the aide of detailed elaborations Ethnographic studies: As the name implies, the focus of research in this category is a particular group of individuals that are involved in a similar kind of task. This kind of research is conducted over period of time with focus on one type of cultural group that have something in common between them. The commonality could be the interest, an experience, cultural trend or any other event undergone by the people being examined (Marie, pg 172, 2008). Role Play Simulation: In such kind of research role assignment might be done or the individuals conducting research might be required to observe a particular role to deduce any conclusion from it Comprehensive Interviews: The aim behind such type of research is to get into the details of the matter and probe all possible options .The method of interrogation and opinion determination is slightly different from quantitative research. Other forms of qualitative research include grounded theory. Quantitative research In contrast to qualitative variables quantitative research method focuses on the numerable quantity in form of statistical analysis. It yields a fixed deterministic result. Creswell defines quantitative research as “the kind of research where mathematical models and numerical assistance is taken to comprehend and analyze a particular phenomenon” (Salas, pg57, 2009) Quantitative model can be further drawn into various shapes, namely survey based, correlation determination, causal comparison research, and experimental research (Sana,pg362 , 2010). Survey based research focuses on questionnaire and sampling to determine opinion about a particular case, the sample size is taken as a general perception of the entire population, however this at times is termed as the limitation of survey based research since the opinion and judgment is concluded on limited number of people consulted and asked for opinion. The sample sizes are of importance in this regard and they are taken for representation of the opinion of entire domain. A proper sampling plan needs to be devised for this purpose which can help ensure that all segments of society and stakeholders are included in the survey. Survey findings set the platform for further study, research and recommendations’; therefore planning a correct survey is of immense value because it can have negative repercussions on the entire research if conducted inappropriately (Sukamolson, 2005). Different kinds of surveys exist namely telephone based survey, which involves knowing the desired questions through telephone, omnibus survey, internet based survey and various others. Quantitative research is used in cases where a fixed quantifiable value is desired in terms of a constant digit. It enables the strict separation of various blocks that can either be in form of affirmative approach, negating approach or neutral opinion. They are mostly based on the cause and affect analogy. Conducting quantitative research is most beneficial during the later stages of the entire research process. Fred Kerlinger explaining the importance of quantitative research stated that “There is nothing as qualitative data, rather 1 or 0” (Esteves, pg240, 2010). Quantitative research can further be segmented into either inferential approach or descriptive approach (Grinnell,pg44, 2010). Inferential approach usually pertains to testing and validation check of hypothesis while descriptive approach enables strict quantification. Units and variables constitute components of quantitative research, the people questioned or the responses collected make up for the units while the data generated is the variable part of the research. There has been a debate over the effectiveness and superiority of the two methods over each other; however both have their own strong points and find equal applications in their respective domain. Bibliography: 1-Esteves, J., 2010. “Proceedings of the 9th European Conference on Research Methods in Business and Management”. s.l., Academic Conferences Limited. 2-Farrell, P., 2011. “Writing a Built Environment Dissertation”: Practical Guidance and Examples. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. 3-Flick, U., 2007. “Designing Qualitative Research”. London: SAGE. 4-Grinnell, J. R. M., 2010. “Social Work Research and Evaluation”: Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice. New York: Oxford University Press. 5-Marie, N. R., 2008. Foundations of Nursing Research. s.l.:Pearson Education. 6-Merriam, S. B., 2009. Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons. 7-Pitney, W. A. & Parker, J., 2009. Qualitative Research in Physical Activity and the Health Professions. s.l.:Human Kinetics. 8-Salas, C., 2009. “The Influence of Organizational Structure on Customer Issue Resolution”: A Phenomenological Study. s.l.:ProQuest. 9-Sana, E. A., 2010.” Teaching and Learning in the Health Sciences”. Diliman: UP Press. 10-Sukamolson, S., 2005.” F u n d ame n t a l s o f q u a n t i t a t i v e r e s e a r c h”. s.l., Chulalongkorn University. Read More