Qualitative and Quantitative Research - Essay Example

Introduction Qualitative and quantitative are the two most used method of carrying out research. Quantitative research method deals with the count of the different variables being measured. In qualitative research, the main concern is on the behavior or character traits of the sample being measured (Harrison 2001). Qualitative research mainly aims at giving the explanation of the happening other than just measure and record a phenomenon. The choice of whether to use either of these methods of research is dependent on two factors. That is: the nature of the discipline of the research and the type of data needed in the research. This implies that the two methods are dependent on the data needed by a research and the subject of the research itself. In some cases, both of these methods can be used together. Pluralistic research is the term used to refer to a situation in which both the qualitative and quantitative approaches are mixed in one research project. The mixture of both of these research methods could result in a number of benefits and also come with costs or disadvantages to the researcher. This paper gives a review of the points of divergence between the two methods of research. Advantages and disadvantages of combining the two methods of research in one project are also given. Differences of the methods From the definition of the two research method, significant differences are. This difference comes from the use of the method. While qualitative methods mainly try to give a justification of a phenomenon, the quantitative method aims at giving the amount of data to support or disapprove a hypothesis. This means that the data that will be obtained in a qualitative research is also of substantively different to the type obtained in quantitative research (Pierce 2008). In ordered to explain a fact or a phenomenon, reasoning is the only possible way to achieve this. The data that will be available, in this case, are descriptions of different processes or occurrence within a phenomenon. In quantitative method, the data usually obtained gives a numeric value of the aspect being measured. This value can be the frequency of an occurrence or the magnitude of a phenomenon. As such these methods vary in terms of the data collected and the purpose of research. While the purpose of the quantitative method id to measure the numeric value of a phenomenon, the qualitative method aims ad delivering the meaning or the reason behind the occurrence (Bryman, 1988). From this preceding analysis, it is easy to note that the method used in obtaining the data in these research methods are also significantly different. To obtain numerical values, a researcher has to measure the given variable that he or she intends to work with. In measurement, the use of instruments that give the values measured is imperative. In fact in order for the research to be valid, measuring instruments used in the research must be of the appropriate standards. In qualitative methodologies, reasoning is not measured. As such there is no use of any gadget or requirement to measure anything. The explanation of phenomena is derived or implied from observable aspects of the occurrence. Due to this reason, the method of obtaining data in a qualitative study is through communication and observation of the occurrence. Since the data collected in a quantitative research is always numerical in nature, the use of statistical tools is imperative in their analysis. To derive any meaning of the data, computer-based statistical tools like SPSS software and Spreadsheets can be used to present the data in a format that makes more meaning. The basic element of analysis of data from a qualitative research is the main source of difference between the two types of research method. In qualitative research, the use of words as a basic element of analysis implies that the researcher has to use personal deductions on the data to come up with a meaning. It is virtually impossible to run words in a computerized system and come up with a meaning of a phenomenon. point of divergence between these research methods comes from the way each handles a theory. In the quantitative methodology, the aim of the researcher is to test a theory within the study conducted. Testing a theory implies that the researcher develops a hypothesis and then tests it by measuring different attributes of the hypothesis. This can be done experimentally or through a survey. In the end, the researcher determines whether the hypothesis is true or false based on the results of the tests. Qualitative research, does not aim at testing a theory. Here, the main aim of a researcher is to come up with a theory. The result is an explanation that is grounded on facts about a phenomenon. It does not seek any disapproval of a position. The explanation provided by the research about a subject becomes a theory because it is based on observable facts and is deduced from rational thinking about facts (Seale, 1999). Advantages of pluralistic research Pluralistic research method implies a combination of the two types of research methods on a single project. One should note that the aim of any researcher is to produce high-quality research with limited or no chance of pitfalls. This requirement of high-quality research is what informs and backs the advantages of a pluralistic approach. First, in order to deliver high-quality research, the pluralistic approach will ensure that the research a holistic presentation. A holistic presentation implies that the numeric aspect is complemented by the explanatory aspect of the study to give a more meaningful outcome of the research. One method can be used to build on the position that is already established by the other, and this gives a more detailed look in to a research problem (Brannen 1992). The complementary aspect of the pluralistic approach also ensures that no perspective of the research is left untouched. Secondly, pluralistic approach offers high quality of research by improving on the validity of a study. In this case, conducting a research project using the two methods is like performing a repeat of the same research projects. Data obtained from the second method can act as proof or supports of the data that was received in the initial research. As such the correspondence of these data from different research, method proves beyond doubt that the result of a research project is valid (Brannen 1992). Finally, the use of a pluralistic method of research creates new dimensions of thinking about a research problem. In most cases, research problems occur in domains that suited for either a qualitative modeling or a quantitative approach. A different perspective of modeling like in a pluralistic approach brings in new insights. These new insights to a problem are either fresh perspectives or contradictions about the research problem (Reed and Marsh 2002). Disadvantages of the pluralistic approach The disadvantages of the pluralistic approach to research are related to the ability of the two methods to be integrated together. In integrating these two methods together, the possible challenges that are going to arise in the research are philosophical differences, costs, and technical knowledge. Philosophical differences are based on the fact that the two research methods are more suitable for application in different domains. For instance, the qualitative methodology is most suited for conducting research in sociology (Bryman 2004). The reason for this suitability is that it is the method that can explain human behavior and provide the researcher with an understanding of the reason behind human behavior. It is also difficult to quantify human behavior. As such, the pluralistic method of research becomes inapplicable in some aspects of this domain of research (Henn, Weinstein and Foard 2009). The Cost of the pluralistic approach is rather a direct subject that creates a disadvantage of the method. As indicated earlier, pluralistic approach is more or less similar to duplicating a research in a different method. This duplication of a research project could be avoided altogether and the cost of conducting the duplicate work saved. Apart from the financial cost, the pluralistic approach is also time-consuming. The amount of time spent doing the research in two ways could be saved greatly by reducing the work to a single method. Technical knowledge required to implement a pluralistic research is also quite high. This is because a research will have to be proficient in both data collection and analysis techniques in both qualitative and quantitative methods. Training research assistants to help in conducting a pluralistic study is also difficult. In conclusion, pluralistic method of research includes both qualitative and quantitative methodologies of conducting research. In some cases or research project pluralistic approach is possible. When this integration is done, there are a number of benefits that are realized in a research project. However, in some cases where philosophical differences emerge, it would be suitable to apply either a qualitative or a quantitative study (Stoker and Marsh 2002). Researchers should, therefore, consider the methods that best models their research problem before making a decision on selecting a research method. Bibliography BRANNEN, J. (1992) Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches: An Overview. In J. Brannen (Ed.), Mixing Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Research (pp. 3-37). Brookfield, VT: Ashgate. BRANNEN, J.(ed) (1992) Mixing Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Research. Aldershot, Brookfield, USA: Avebury. BRYMAN, A. (1988). Quantity and Quality in Social Research. London: Unwin Hyman. BRYMAN, A. (2004), Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Harrison, L. (2001). Political Research: An Introduction. London and New York: Routledge. HARRISON, L. (2001) Political Research: An Introduction. London and New York: Routledge. HENN, M., WEINSTEIN M. AND FOARD, N (2009) A Critical Introduction to Social Research (2nd edition), London: Sage PIERCE, R (2008), Research Methods in Politics: A Practical Guide, London: Sage REED, M. AND MARSH, D. (2002) Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Method, in Marsh, David and Gary Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science. 2nd Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. SEALE, C. (1999). The Quality of Qualitative Research. London: SAGE. STOKER, G. AND MARSH, D. (2002) Theory and Methods in Political Science. New York and Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Read More