Quantitative Research Tools - Assignment Example

Quantitative Research Tools Quantitative research contributes very important element in the case study solution. Since case studies do not hold any single answer, therefore, quantitative research tools provide evidence from within the case to support the concluded suggestion. Moreover, analyses based on data and information measured with numbers and assessed using defined statistical techniques are also less prone to discrepancies in arriving at final outcome (Baxter, and Jack, 2008).For instance, in making suggestion to the company for entering new market or bringing new product, one of the pivotal aspects that the final investment decision is made upon is quantitative analysis.

These quantitative analyses develop trends for future and guide strategy development and employment. The application of quantitative techniques in providing solutions to identified problems of a case study also validates the theory used to make any suggestion; unlike, qualitative research provides responses based on researcher’s biases (Dul, and Hak, 2008).Since techniques under discussion are objective in nature, application in case study provides results leaving no or least room for subjectivity as for the questions.

Hence, providing responses with defined scope of variables involved conclusions and recommendations. Quantitative research is based on the cause and effect relationship. Testing of propositions in the context of the case study is also developed with logic and theories in deductive form. Therefore, instances of the case study are the only factors to impose the effect on the results. This also separates a researcher from posing any influence on outcome, defining and explaining the variables of the case study under analysis that are usually prone to extensive deviation on being explored with theory only or even using the qualitative research techniques (Gerring, 2005).

The exploration of a case study using mentioned techniques also provides evidences of the level of impact of uncontrollable variables in definite terms. For instance, application of regression analysis to forecast the trend of sales in two branches of a company in distant areas but with almost identical operations and the most accounted variables would still not yield identical results. This difference in trend provides evidence related to the level of impact arising from differences in scenarios.

This measurable aspect with defined areas is of extensive support to businesses, providing them with the opportunity to further develop tools and strategies to gain control over the discrepant areas. Moreover, vertical and horizontal analysis, as well as within and across industrial analysis, can be compared on the same scale, though certain limitation applied; hence, providing some benchmark for further analysis and exploration. The application of quantitative techniques in case studies is one of the most widely used research techniques.

Along with the benefits it brings to the academic literature as well as practical field, it certainly has certain limitation (Kyburz-Graber, 2004). For instance, due to its being relatively easy to conduct, evaluate and interpret, researchers are more prone to use these techniques. However, quantification of all variables is not possible at all times and forceful attempt to develop such measures provides misleading results (Thomas, 2011). Nevertheless, the application of quantitative techniques in case studies is among the most used approaches based on the level of objectivity, clarity, easiness to comprehend and the least level of ambiguity it displays in its results.

References ListBaxter, P. & Jack, S. (2008). ‘Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers’. The Qualitative Report, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 544-559. Dul, J. & Hak, T. (2008). Case Study Methodology in Business Research. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Gerring, J. (2005). Case Study Research. New York: Cambridge University Press.Kyburz-Graber, R. (2004). ‘Does case-study methodology lack rigour? The need for quality criteria for sound case-study research, as illustrated by a recent case in secondary and higher education’, Environmental Education Research, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 53–65.Thomas, G. (2011). ‘A typology for the case study in social science following a review of definition, discourse and structure’.

Qualitative Inquiry, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 511-521.