A Comparative Unfolding of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

This report provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of qualitative and quantitative research methods. It begins with an abstract outlining the core concepts and objectives, followed by an introduction that defines scientific methodology and the two primary research approaches. The report delves into the specifics of qualitative research, including data collection methods like interviews and observations, and then contrasts it with quantitative research, discussing its focus on numerical data and statistical analysis. The report then classifies quantitative research into various types, such as causal-comparative, experimental, correlation, and survey research, highlighting their unique characteristics. It explores the selection of research methods, addressing the paradigm wars between qualitative and quantitative approaches and emphasizing the importance of considering both methods for a comprehensive understanding. The report examines the merits of both quantitative and qualitative methods, and then offers a conclusion summarizing the key findings and recommendations for future researchers.

RUNNING HEAD: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH – A COMPARATIVE UNFOLDING
Qualitative Research and Quantitative
Research – A Comparative Unfolding
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RUNNING HEAD: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH – A COMPARATIVE UNFOLDING
Abstract
Research in science can be defined as the combination of both experiences as well as
the reasoning for discovering the truth. The problem-solving skills are taught to students
with the help of various types of research approaches that are mainly based on data analysis
and data collection techniques. Although quantitative and qualitative researches are linked
with different outcomes however their objective is to identify problems pertaining to
education. This study is going to put emphasis on the use of both quantitative and
qualitative approaches to solving problems that are encountered in science. In order to show
the implications of qualitative and quantitative methods in research six articles have been
examined in this study. This study has tried to analyze the strengths, weakness,
disadvantages, and advantages of these two methods. There has been a discussion regarding
the ethical considerations and future researchers have been given a recommendation
regarding types, definition assumptions, and misconceptions regarding the research
techniques. In this study, a wide range of criteria has been provided for evaluating the
quantitative research method. In order to conduct an analysis of the varied phenomenon, it
is quite essential to take help of both quantitative and qualitative methods In order to
conduct an analysis of the varied phenomenon, it is quite essential to take help of both
quantitative and qualitative methods (Bryman, & Bell, 2015). Statistical analysis can only
be possible with the use of the quantitative method as it aims at obtaining accurate
measurements. In stark contrast to the quantitative method, qualitative methods strive to get
adequate knowledge regarding a complex problem and try to find the meaning of a
particular action in reference to a context. Both these research methods help in providing a
researcher with a set of approaches, limitations, and potentialities. A thorough analysis has
been conducted for understanding the merits and demerits of these two methodologies. This
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study presents an analysis of the two methods so as to help a researcher to know about the
appropriate method to adopt in a research study.
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Table of Contents
Abstract.......................................................................................................1
Introduction.................................................................................................5
Qualitative research....................................................................................6
Qualitative data...........................................................................................7
Quantitative Research.................................................................................7
Classifying Quantitative Research...............................................................8
Selection of research method......................................................................9
Paradigm wars.............................................................................................9
Merits of Quantitative research.................................................................10
Merits of using the Qualitative method.....................................................11
The decrease in the popularity of qualitative methods.............................12
Conclusion.................................................................................................13
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Introduction
Scientific methodology is usually adopted for understanding the methods that are
adapted to elaborate a scientific document like a dissertation or a manuscript. In order to
elaborate a scientific work, a thorough study of the methods should be given prime
importance (Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, 2009).
It has been found that scientific methods can be taken as a key to explorer truths about
the world or even for exploring theories and to perform, empirical validation (Easterbrook,
Singer, Storey, & Damian, 2008). So, it can be said that one of the main objectives of
scientific research is to find out facts that are somewhere penetrated deep inside the reality
through systematic approaches. Scientific research is basically conducted with the help of
two methods and it includes quantitative and qualitative.
It is to be noted that qualitative research is a concern only with the in-depth
understanding of a problem rather than with numerical. A researcher acts as object and
subject of his research work in case of the qualitative approach. Illustrative information can
be procured from the use of a qualitative approach as it deeply delves into a problem.
Realistic point of view guides the qualitative method. In fact, in the qualitative
method, an attempt is made to gain knowledge regarding the dynamic pertaining to social
relations. It has been discerned that the qualitative method is only preoccupied with values,
meanings, and aspirations and these ultimately corresponds with the phenomenon and
processes which can well be minimized to the operation of the variables (Henwood, 2008).
Unlike qualitative data, quantitative data can be represented in numerical terms. The
samples that are taken for quantitative research are generally large. The population is taken as
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a sample where a researcher gets an idea regarding the comprehensive view of the entire
population. It can be said that for analyzing data both mathematics as well as statistics
becomes an important arena. The prime focus of the quantitative method is objectivity and it
becomes applicable in places whereby interferences and variables are collected from a
population (Hoe, & Hoare, 2012). Data collection is conducted with the help of formal
instruments and structured processes. An objective, as well as systematic perspective, is to be
given importance for collecting data. Software like STATA or SPSS is used for analyzing the
collected data (Muenchen, 2014).
Qualitative research
For gaining a thorough understanding o the social circumstances, qualitative methods
like interviews or observation are adopted for qualitative methodology. There are shifts
encountered in Information technology and communication and this shift is towards
organizational issue from technological ones. This has resulted in the rampant use of the
qualitative approach (Denzin, & Giardina, 2018).
Nowadays, there has been increased in the use of qualitative methods in the different
field of research work. This method comprises documents, the perception of the researcher,
respondent observation and questionnaires. The qualitative method tries to analyze and
interpret various phenomenons in a given setting for assisting people to know their meanings.
It is a common belief among researcher of ICT that a large number of dimensions are
found in ICT (Somekh, 2008). The methodology is shaped by a number of factors like
knowledge body, scope, the topic of significance and validity instruments. As per researchers,
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new approaches can be linked to interpretations whereas observation is related to traditional
approaches.
Qualitative data
The information that a qualitative researcher gathers are mainly derived from
undertaking a direct communication with the participants and its aim is to gain insight into a
problem. The data collection method generally include speaking or writing, however, other
forms of communication an also be included like videotapes, diaries, artworks, literary works
or even systematic observation of the people (Suzuki, Ahluwalia, Arora, & Mattis, 2007).
Narratives try to inculcate interviews in the process of data collection. Nonetheless, it not
always the case become there are times when direct contact is not established for gathering
information.
Quantitative Research
One of the first approaches used by quantitative research is to differentiate people in
relation to standard variables as people possess a varied standard of the variables like
tolerance or intelligence. There is an analysis among the quantitative researchers regarding
the variable distribution. The researcher even aims at establishing a cause-and-effect
relationship between different variables. The difference among the classroom students can be
mentioned in the form of pre-defined outcomes like number usage skills, using mother tongue
and also understanding regarding historical concepts (Fischer et al., 2018).
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According to some researchers’ viewpoint, the quantitative researcher tries to utilize
empirical statement and methods (Gioia, Corley, & Hamilton, 2013). The empirical statement
can be defined as dealing with the problems in the present situation than that of the future. It
is generally represented in the form of numerals. Empirical evaluations are another important
aspect of the empirical study. In this type of evaluation, a researcher tries to find out whether
a particular policy has been able to empirical norms or not.
Empirical study always takes into consideration the mathematical tools for data
analysis. Mostly, people are of the opinion that quantitative research is only associated with
mathematics and statistical calculations, however, it is a wrong concept. One should
understand the implication of appropriate data analyzing method as well as correct research
design as well as the data collection method. To some people calculation or analyzing data
through statistical function often brings a lot of complexities (Hoaglin, 2003).
Classifying Quantitative Research
Quantitative research can be categorized into four different types and they are: 1)
casual-comparative research 2) experimental research 3) correlation research 4) survey
research. These different types of research have specific characteristics (Gelo, Braakmann, &
Benetka, 2008). This can be explained with the help of survey research example.
In order to find out the characteristics of a population, scientific sampling is put into
practice. Survey research is considered to be an effective tool for striking a comparison
among the groups. This type of research is known offer estimate that is usually taken as a
representative of the entire population (Seawright, & Gerring, 2008). One of the basic pre-
requisites of this type of sampling is that it adopts a random sampling method. It simply
means that each of the respondents will get the known probability for becoming a sample.
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It is always advisable to take help of experts as research instruments can create a
significant impact on the survey's quality. One can get a scope to study varied phenomenon
thereby attaching flexibility to quantitative research. Nonetheless, some limitations are
associated with quantitative methods too. This is because researchers often find that some
phenomenon can be better studied through qualitative research than quantitative.
Selection of research method
Most of the people get confused while making choice regarding research method. The
first guiding principle behind the choice of method is objectives. Some researchers put
emphasis on the fact that research on information technology is not only limited to the
studying behaviour instead it is concerned with a situation where interaction between
behaviour and technology occurs. It sounds almost similar to that of chemical reaction that
results in the formation of a component. Qualitative research is turning out to be a point of
interest among the ICT researchers. Different methods of qualitative research have been
studied in an annual international conference on ICT from the year 1991 (Shachaf, 2008).
These discussion panels have help in finding out the implications of using qualitative
methods in research works.
Paradigm wars
A lot of debate has been encountered in the arena of qualitative and quantitative
methods. Some are of the view that qualitative method can assist a researcher to reach
towards their research objectives. On the contrary, some other strongly opposes the use of the
qualitative method (Barnett-Page, & Thomas, 2009). These contrasting opinions have
compelled a researcher to name it as the paradigm war. It has been found that those who are
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involved in giving importance to qualitative approaches over quantitative are regarded as
paradigm warriors. Both qualitative, as well as quantitative methods seem to be irreconcilable
(Bryman, 2017). On the contrary, other researchers are of the opinion that quantitative
methods are quite inefficient in analyzing data and so this method is almost unacceptable in
today’s research scenario. Therefore, it can be said that qualitative research seems to be on
the advantageous side.
Although the method cannot be judged in such a manner one thing can be said that the
qualitative method are turning out to be more into use in the modern time than in past. One
should note that for undertaking a research work it is quite essential that the researcher makes
use of both quantitative as well as qualitative methods. Those research designs that consider
both quantitative as well as qualitative approach have found that grounded theory seems to be
readily applicable in either of the two methods (Polit, & Beck, 2010).
It can be discerned that both qualitative and quantitative methods are not rival rather
both these methods offer critical insights into a research work. Data collection methods
cannot be conducted without the use of these methods. Both of them are trying their best to
establish their significance in research work. One can call them supplementary or
complementary approach. Although each of these methods aims at providing a knowledge
depth to existing stud however they have both merits and demerits.
Merits of Quantitative research
The first and foremost advantage of using quantitative data analysis method is that it
makes use of statistical tools which help the researcher to save both time and resources
(Yilmaz, 2013). It is often said that the quantitative approach basically emphasizes on
numerical for collection and analysis of data. With the use of statistical tools for data
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representation, it becomes easier for the researcher to reduce their effort of giving an
explanation for the outcome of their research. Generalization is only possible in scientific
methods of data collection which is possible only with this approach. It is quite easier for a
researcher to generalize on the interaction that has undertaken with a group. Interpretation of
data does not seem like a coincidence. Samples or patterns cam will be used for reflecting
upon a particular problem. Researchers have to eliminate behavior of guessing because it is
required to base the analysis or outcome only on the basis of certain set frameworks. One can
easily get hold of the study and control groups. It has been found that most of the component
of quantitative research is used for agricultural researches whereas traditional way of
quantitative approach can well be applied to research based on insects or even with human
beings. A researcher has demonstrated the fact that quantitative data analysis method is
inefficient in determining a person's behaviour as human beings are self-determining.
However, the fact that quantitative research is unable to obtain the real essence of a
person is not baseless. The correlation matrix is often put into practice for using quantitative
methods. Mostly, students who conduct quantitative analysis face difficulties in
hypothesizing an outcome. This results in ineffectiveness in finding out a desired outcome
from the research work.
Merits of using the Qualitative method
The qualitative method can be defined as the concept, symbol or even description of a
particular component which is put under study. It clearly indicates the fact that qualitative
method generally comprises of important components that help in resolving the problem
(Durlak, & DuPre, 2008). The different forms of qualitative data collection include interview,
observation and open-ended questions. Methods which are used for collecting qualitative data
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give a complete description of participants. Focus group seems to help in understanding the
behaviour of the respondents in a more viable manner.
It has been found that the technique that helps in retrieving data for undertaking
qualitative research is considered to be unique. This method generally emphasizes collecting
data in a non-numerical way that include picture or words given by the researcher who was
involved in the study. It helps in inculcating factuality into the research work.
One of the main advantages of this approach is that here theory can be propounded
from the data (Qiu, Donaldson, & Luo, 2012). In order to reflect upon the originality of this
approach, researchers often denote words like ‘bottom-up, investigative' and many more. The
researcher gets the immense scope to construct theories based on the data that they have
collected. It obviously attaches a level of reliability to such data.
Social context forms the basis of analyzing the behaviour of the human beings in a
qualitative approach. It is known to take into consideration a large number of the
phenomenon for understanding the human behaviours. A study of human behaviour requires
in-depth study; so holistic approach is basically used for understanding the influence of
reasoning, norms, interaction and thought (Hargreaves, 2011).
The decrease in the popularity of qualitative methods
Some of the German researchers have aimed at exploring mathematical laws, the
objective in regards to human behaviour. Their approach had the capability to clear out
confusions regarding human behaviour. Mathematical laws seem to have set the guidelines
for interpreting human behaviours.
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