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Contrast between qualitative and quantitative research
Research design general structure
Contrast between qualitative and quantitative research
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Introduction
The qualitative and quantitative research methods are typically applied in the field of social research. There has been a lot of debate on the relative advantages between the two designs among researchers almost more than on any other issue of methodology. The quantitative research design encompasses methods which focus on numbers, that is, quantities. The data collected in this design is usually in numbers which are then analyzed using statistical and mechanical methods. This design is highly associated with the field of science such as in practical done in a laboratory (Gall et al 2003). On the other hand, qualitative design normally uses words to explain wider concepts that cannot be captured mathematically such as beliefs, feelings and intentions. The data collected in this design may be in form of words, field notes and transcripts. The data in this design cannot be understood mathematically (Timmons 2005). This article is an attempt to pinpoint what may be regarded as stark differences and importance of each method.
Quantitative Method
This research involves use of questions whose options of response have been predetermined (Bogdan & Biklen 1992). This design of research employs the use of a large number of respondents. The measurement in this design must theoretically be objective, in numbers and statistically valid. Due to the large number of respondents, the sampling method used is random. Before carrying out the research, the researcher applies a statistical method using formulas to determine the size of the sample which when studied would give findings within acceptable limits. Researchers using this method generally agree that the sample sought should yield findings with 95% confidence interval or there...
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According to Smith (1983) quantitative research is to explain, predict and develop laws that can be universally applied and Qualitative research is the interpretation and understanding of what people give to their situation. The researchers clearly stated the purpose of their studies, aim, objectiv...
After reevaluating my proposed problem and research questions, I was able to focus on what type of research design and strategy would be best for my Capstone Project Proposal. For review, my proposed problem is on sleep disturbances associated with cardiac surgery patients. My proposed strategy is that by increasing nursing education on sleep there will be a reduction in sleep disturbances for cardiac surgery patients. Keele (2011) describes and differentiates quantitative and qualitative research. After reading over the material for both quantitative and qualitative research designs several times, I have decided on what research method is more appropriate for my Capstone Project Proposal.
The father of quantitative analysis, Rene Descartes, thought that in order to know and understand something, you have to measure it (Kover, 2008). Quantitative research has two main types of sampling used, probabilistic and purposive. Probabilistic sampling is when there is equal chance of anyone within the studied population to be included. Purposive sampling is used when some benchmarks are used to replace the discrepancy among errors. The primary collection of data is from tests or standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and closed-ended observational protocols. The secondary means for data collection includes official documents. In this study, the data is analyzed to test one or more expressed hypotheses. Descriptive and inferential analyses are the two types of data analysis used and advance from descriptive to inferential. The next step in the process is data interpretation, and the goal is to give meaning to the results in regards to the hypothesis the theory was derived from. Data interpretation techniques used are generalization, theory-driven, and interpretation of theory (Gelo, Braakmann, Benetka, 2008). The discussion should bring together findings and put them into context of the framework, guiding the study (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). The discussion should include an interpretation of the results; descriptions of themes, trends, and relationships; meanings of the results, and the limitations of the study. In the conclusion, one wants to end the study by providing a synopsis and final comments. It should include a summary of findings, recommendations, and future research (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). Deductive reasoning is used in studies...
Qualitative research is an approach that attempts to situate an activity that locates the observer in the world by providing the study to occur in their natural setting and by attempting to make sense of, or interpret information (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005). A characteristic of qualitative research is to use a variety of empirical materials such as personal experience, interviews, and questionnaires. It is imperative to understand the task at hand and how to fully carry out the study when using a qualitative research approach in order to find out the information needed. One view of qualitative research is it involves examining individual’s experiences and documenting those experiences in detail (Jones, 2011). By documenting these observations the researcher is ensuring validity in his or her data and giving the correct creditability to those who participated in the study.
Some researchers exclusively use quantitative (one) or qualitative (the other) research approaches citing that there are differences in the two styles. Professing quantitatively an objective truth and a single reality or promoting qualitatively a subjective truth and multiple realities (Castellan, 2010). It is also possible, and maybe even desirable to use both qualitative and quantitative methods combined, but if doing so, the researcher needs to be warned that it is very difficult to maintain the integrity of each approach when completing a comprehensive qualitative study while conducting a sophisticated quantitative study (Castellan, 2010). In comparing two assigned research studies, we
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Now within the rest of this paper you will be finding a few different things getting discussed. Staring it off we will be discussing the articles that we have found to make our arguments and hypotheses. After wrapping up the literature reviews we will be discussing the hypotheses thus continuing onto our variables and indicators. Once we discuss our hypotheses we will be moving onto the research design. The research design will have our general issues, sampling, and methods.
Research can be divided into two approaches which are qualitative and quantitative research. Aliaga and Gunderson (2000) define quantitative research as “Explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analysed using mathematically based methods.” This is usually done using statistics. Quantitative metho...
Liamputtong, P. & Ezzy, D., 2005, Qualitative research methods, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Victoria, pp. 12-31.
Qualitative and quantitative research methods take different approaches to gathering and analysing information. Whether it is a qualitative or quantitative study, the research study begins with a question or series of questions. Both use rigorously designed studies to get the most accurate, detailed and complete results. Qualitative studies common methods are interviews, surveys and observation. A qualitative study aims to provide a detailed description of the study results, often using pictures and written descriptions to describe what the research revealed. A qualitative study looks at the big picture, helping researchers to narrow in on points of interest that then can be followed up on in a quantitative study. While a quantitative study has a narrower focus, it attempts to provide a detailed explanation of the study focus, along with this using numbers and statistics. And the results from a quantitative study can reveal bigger questions that call for qualitative study. Or vice versa a qualitative study may reveal at analysis that a more focus and direct approach may be needed. With both methods analysis is a key part of any study whether qualitative or quantitative.
Survey research was used to gather information about people’s beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and demographic composition. Survey data was collected by asking participants from a population a set of questions, which could be administered in a questionnaire that was mailed, emailed, or in an interview over the phone or in person (Leedy & Ormrod, 2013). In a sample survey researcher attempted to infer information about a population based on a representative sample drawn from that population. To generalize the findings from a sample to a population, the sample should accurately represent the population (Salkind, 2012). Robson (2011) stated that the details of the design should be fully pre-specified before the beginning of data collection. Gay et al. (2011) informed that correlational research involved data collection to determine relationship existence between two or more quantifiable
Traditional research may use quantitative or qualitative research method. According to Hendricks (2009), quantitative research is a general conclusion based on hard data. Hen-dricks describe quantitativ...
Another option available to a researcher is mixed methods which focuses on collecting, analyzing, and mixing both qualitative and quantitative data in a single study; also, it is based on the premise that the use of quantitative and qualitative combination provides a better understanding of the research problem than either approach alo...
The word qualitative assumes an emphasis on the qualities of object and on processes and meanings that are not experimentally examined or measured from the point of quantity, amount, depth, or periodicity. Qualitative researchers accent the socially constructed nature of actuality, the close relationship between the researcher and what is studied, and the situational imperatives that shape demands. Researchers look for answers to questions that accent how social experience is created and given meaning. In contrast, quantitative studies stress the dimension and analysis of causal relationships between variables, not processes. Qualitative forms of demand are thought-out by many social and behavioral scientists to be as much a perspective on how to approach investigating a research problem as it is a method. Denzin, Norman. K. and Yvonna S. Lincoln. Handbook of Qualitative Research. 2nd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.