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Strengths and weaknesses of qualitative methods
Qualitative theory
Compare and contrast the data collection techniques of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
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In order to provide the Australia Park Victoria with the appropriate data to solve its current crisis, the most appropriate method of data collection for this research is the qualitative method. According to Gay and Airasian (p 627) qualitative method is the collection of extensive data on various variables over a long time in a natural setting with an aim of acquiring insights not possible using other methods. It involves three different kinds of information collection: direct observation, in depth and open-ended interviews and written documents. Qualitative method involves use of random sampling and structured data collection instruments that fit different experiences. The method also enables the researcher to study the specific area of research into details thus making him or her to come up with results that are easy to summarize, make comparisons and even generalize. Qualitative data collection methods are the best when evaluating the impact of an issue since it provides information that is important to comprehend the processes that have led to the observed results and tests the changes in people’s perception of their well-being. In addition, qualitative methods may be implemented to improve the quality of survey-based quantitative evaluations through generation of evaluation hypothesis which empowers the design of survey questionnaires and also clarifying quantitative evaluation results (Hentschel, 1999).
The reason this method is the most appropriate is because firstly, this method is open-ended and has less structured protocols, thus a researcher may have the freedom to change the information collection strategy by addition or dropping some participants. Secondly, the researcher relies on different data collection methods...
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The first method I will look at is the rt method which is built upon collected data from surveys etc. Its main plus points being that it uses a much larger sample than the other methods because it takes less time to collate the results. It is also useful because it allows for further research to be added - it can be updated. There are a number of problems with this. The subjects may not feel comfortable and could answer just to please the experimenter. A big problem with the method is that it does not give enough range for the subject. They are restricted within the boundaries of the tick boxes. The researcher can only learn so much.
Qualitative and quantitative methods allow researchers to investigate, explore and inquire the nature of the phenomenon being studied. It is important that the researcher develops a clear understanding of the problem and design a plan to investigate it (Cresswell, 1998, para. 1). There are a variety of research methods; nevertheless, it is important to consider which research method is appropriate for the study. Qualitative research focuses on human experiences while quantitative research relies on numbers, measurements, and testing. Nevertheless, qualitative and quantitative methods use similar approaches to conduct research and collect data. For example, observations and interviews are approaches used in both research designs; however, the approaches are used and viewed otherwise. This will be discussed later in the paper.
In the previous chapters I discussed the problem of the lack of healthy eating promotion programs in schools are leaving parents and students uneducated about how to purchase healthy items which is leading to childhood obesity. I also discussed how the problem is being addressed, as well as the theory of social constructionism. In this chapter, I will discuss the specific methodology I plan to use and the three different types of data collection I plan to employ to carry out my study. This study will use a qualitative approach to study and address the issue of the lack of healthy eating promotion in schools. The three types of data collection I plan to use are: direct observation, focus groups and a questionnaire. These methods will be clarified later in this chapter.
Research methods are therefore used to collect and analyse information. Psychologists have used these 5 research methods for collecting and analysing data at the BLOA.
Almost every year a hurricane blast through Florida and takes its toll on the business, industry and affects the lives and dollars of the company and its workers. One can ask themselves, "How do we prevent this from happening again?" This is usually what businesses and persons affected by a hurricane ask each other. What about a hospital? How would a hospital prepare for a hurricane? To complicate things more, how would a hospital prepare for a hurricane if the hospital is to operate 24 hours a day? This is the question that Pierre, Keith, Carol, Getta and James have proposed.
There has been a debate over which tradition of methodology, qualitative or quantitative, can provide a better explanation while conducting social science research. Qualitative research provides in-depth case-by-case studies while quantitative, generates broader arguments accommodating a large number of cases. Many social scientists may be naturally qualitative analysts and their expertise could lie predominantly in such field (Mahoney and Goertz, 2006). Quantitative analysis, on the other hand, is preferred when the researchers want to observe common patterns among several different cases. However, both quantitative and qualitative analyses ask questions differently which may lead to different explanations, although they may be examining
For everything that occurs, there will somehow be something that caused the action to happen. It is more of a cause and effect ideal or simple a reaction to an action. In terms of research academics, independent and dependent variables are concepts or attributes to certain things that occur such as drug use, crime, or domestic abuse. For example, stress or other personal problems may lead to someone to use drugs. Also, poverty may lead someone to commit crime. In addition, a power controlled individual may cause a partnership to suffer physical or verbal abuse.
In the first week I have learned about various health and safety issues of the community and its impact on the community. I also learned about participant observation, which is an important method of data collection in qualitative research, as well as various data collection methods of qualitative and quantitative studies. While exploring qualitative and quantitative studies, I have learned how to identify quantitative and qualitative studies. I also learned about how to make a quantitative and qualitative research question using the PICOT format as well as studied various research designs and randomized controlled studies. While studying about theory and variables, I learned about independent and dependent variables, qualitative and quantitative studies and its importance in research, trust worthiness, reliability and validity of research studies.
Focusing on surveys and questionnaires, and quantitative research methods, it varies on the person getting questioned as to which method they prefer. Some individuals may prefer to fill in a questionnaire, as it is quick and simple for them, whereas someone else would rather have a face-to-face interview because they may find questionnaires to complicated. Giving people the choice gives the more chance of getting a response overall. It is important that the researchers are aware of the advantages and disadvantages because they will then be aware of what method to use, and will know what method is best to use. It is also an advantage to work with experienced researchers in order to find out the best results.
Data Collection and Analysis Questionnaire The research was carried out on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. It began with a quantitative approach—questionnaire. Bryman and Bell (2003) asserted that mail or postal questionnaires are the most popular forms of questionnaires. Another form—self-completion questionnaire—was also common because of the overlap with postal questionnaire to some extent.
In this paper, I will define quantitative and qualitative research methods and provide examples in the context of social issues which will hopefully provide insight into how this methods are properly applied.
To begin with, the methodological framework utilized by the author is in the form of a questionnaire. A questionnaire is basically a test to see how one thinks of himself or herself and is not necessarily accurate. For example, an individual may think he or she is apprehensive to communication, but when actually confronted with the situation may perform rather well and without any fear or anxiety. Perhaps a better methodological approach in gathering data is to setup an actual communication setting and have the participants perform the communication task. The data should be based on the performance as well as feedback from the participant to see if the communication was accurate.
Data collection is a process by which you receive useful information. It is an important aspect of any type of research, as inaccurate data can alter the results of a study and lead to false hypothesis and interpretations. The approach the researcher utilizes to collect data depends on the nature of the study, the study design, and the availability of time, money and personnel. In addition, it is important for the researcher to determine whether the study is intended to produce qualitative or quantitative information.
The Importance and Appropriateness of Utilizing Different Methodologies for Research. Introduction The process of research entails the logical as well as systematic search for useful data and information with regard to a specific topic (Jha, 2008). It is also comprised of the investigation of the best, most cost effective and appropriate solutions to both social and scientific issues, following an objective and logical analysis. Jha, (2008) defines research as the search for knowledge and the discovery of the truth. During this process, the data can be gathered from a wide pool of sources among them interviews, books, nature among others.The data can then be analyzed with the appropriate data analysis tools, so as to report the findings
a. Sampling Design: which deals with the method of selecting items to be observed for researcher`s study.