Critical Analysis of Information Sources and Quantitative Techniques

This report critically reviews different types of information sources, including primary, secondary, and tertiary, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these sources for conducting effective research, and it also analyzes the use of quantitative analysis techniques in research. The report provides a detailed analysis of the characteristics and applications of descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs. The report uses examples of research papers and articles to illustrate the application of different information sources and research methods. Finally, the report emphasizes the significance of choosing appropriate research methods and data analysis techniques based on the research objectives.

1.) Critically review the types of sources of information
According to the Kalra, Phadnis and Joshi, (2017), there are three different types of
information that are primary, secondary and tertiary. Tertiary information is used to organise
and locate secondary and primary sources. Basically, this information is not considered as
acceptable material in which academic research is done. Different tertiary sources are
dictionaries, encyclopaedias, abstract etc. While carrying out an investigation, it is essential to
understand these types and to know which one is better for the research. Primary information is
that which is written at the time of conducting a research. It provides first-hand information,
which is closed to the objective of the study. To gather primary information, a scholar can use
different methods such as interview, survey, observation etc. On the other side, secondary
sources are those, which provide non-original or second-hand data or information. In this, a
research summary different textbook, magazine, articles etc. This type of information and data is
basically written with reference to primary methods and attempt to provide information. At last
in tertiary documents, it basically acts as an indicator of primary as well as secondary research.
In the article, “Mountain bike tourism in Austria and the Alpine region – towards a sustainable
model for multi-stakeholder product development” an investigator has conducted primary
research in respect to analyse and discuss mountain bike tourism development options. In a
primary method, a depth telephone interview was carried out with 12 sample size. Similar to the
“ Pröbstl-Haider, Lund-Durlacher and Hödl, (2017) ‘ author has used primary method for
carrying out the research. This study was conducted in two stages in first semi-structured was
conducted and secondly, depth interview with 20 Thai key information and second was with
Thai and foreign tourist. On the other side, in the article of (Destination competitiveness: A
phenomenographic study) researcher has focused on secondary method instead of using primary
research. It has collected information from different sources that are books, articles, and Internet.
In the present research, the researcher has focused on using both primary and secondary sources.
Therefore, primary research method, semi-structured interview was conducted, in which
questions were asked from 50 local people and second set of samples was 30 managers of a tour
operator.
Landau, Mitnik and Lev-Ari, (2016) has stated that primary source of information is
effective enough for directly addressing the selected topic and mostly it provides more
information, which is unavailable elsewhere. Along with this, it may be considered as a
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trustworthy, in this way it has a greater validity as compared to secondary data. However, if this
information is collected objectively, with proper planning it helps in gathering specific
information related to the aim of the study. In contrary side, Hwang, and et.al (2016) state that in
primary research, a scholar needs to start from the starting of a study which leads to making
research more expensive. Along with this, there is a limitation on the number of participants,
time etc. whereas secondary information can be gathered from various sources in order to gain a
wide range of detail. The Mammen, et.al (2016) suggested that sometimes primary is easier to
understand and carry out while sometimes secondary sources are effective to reach the valid
outcome. But for a good understanding, a scholar should use both primary and secondary
sources. It is because primary sources provide original facts and secondary helps in shaping these
into the easy and consumable format (Peter, et.al., 2017).
Furthermore, author of the secondary source has effective summarisation skills and because of
this reason they can view the field more objectively and easily and can also compare the selected
topic. In the primary research, it is easy for an investigator to collect some new information,
which cannot be gathered from the previous author book and journals. On the other side, in
secondary information is the view of different authors can be summarised and further it can be
related to the primary research (Médici and Allen, 2016.). However, in secondary resources,
different types of journals, books and articles are considered. Most of the books are secondary
resources in which author reference their primary source materials and in that it adds its own
analysis. Books can function as the primary source and effective enough in order to gather
specific information. It is critically analysed that primary sources of information provide specific
and new information or issues for the selected topic that can help in drawing a valid conclusion.
Further on the basis of result recommendation can be provided for the improvements. On the
other side, the secondary is also effective enough with respect to collect the information which is
provided by different authors in their books and articles. This information helpful in identifying
the consistency between primary and secondary research which assist in proving the research is
highly valid and reliable (Peter, et.al, 2017).
Hence, it is critically reviewing that both primary and secondary methods have some
advantage and disadvantage. Advantage of primary information is that it when a population is
large then a sample survey can have big resources advantage over a census. Along with this
designed sample can provide very exact estimated of population parameter.
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While cons of primary method is that respondents may do not give response on time or they may
provide less information. On the other side benefits of secondary information is that it saves time
while its limitation is that data collected from third party may not be reliable and accurate.
For the present research, open-ended questions are provided which is based on the qualitative
aspect of a local people, and a manager of Pokhara Tourism Board is considered for primary
research. Hence, primary research is based an essential in respect to gathering primary
information.
2.) Critical analysis of at least one piece of material, which you have sourced.
In the paper Innovation Management in Cultural Heritage Tourism the authors provide a
combined primary/secondary approach to data. This paper includes a wide range of information,
which is collected from secondary and primary sources. Innovation research is known as the
young phenomenon, which is largely dominated by conceptual paper. From this paper, the
researcher has got an alternative outlook for the present research which is “ Innovation
Management in Cultural Heritage Tourism: Experience from the Amphawa Waterfront”
Community, Thailand” (Sakdiyakorn and Sivarak, 2016)
“. It is critically analyzed that in the research, the scholar has used case study research design
because of its ability to answer why and the way innovation take place. Further, in the study, a
conceptual framework was adopted from different authors constitute a comprehensive model in
order to test the views directly in relation to the phenomenon which is unfolding in the practices.
However, for making sure the validity and reliability of the study, there are different types of
research design was taken into consideration. In the paper of Sakdiyakorn and Sivarak, (2016)
study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, a semi-structured interview was conducted.
Secondly, a short interview was conducted in which question were asked from 10 Thai tourists
and 10 foreign tourists randomly. In this paper firstly, the researcher has provided detailed
information related to the innovation management in cultural heritage tourism. It sheds lights on
innovation in tourism management and its impact on the tour company. It is critically analyses
that scholar has focused on collecting information from primary sources in order to gain new and
specific information related to the selected topic. Information is collected from two group of
people firstly Thai Key informants who can provide a specific information related to their culture
and lifestyles (Cooper, et.al, 2016). This information will help in identifying what makes a
community based cultural heritage tourist destination at the time of comparing with the other
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destination. On the other side, Thai tourist and foreign tourist conduct the second survey. A
semi-structured interview is conducted with them in order to gain information related to the
changes, which they need in the tourism products and services. From the tourist, questions were
asked related to the reason behind choosing Amphawa destinations. At last findings are provided
on the basis of primary research.
3.) The appropriateness of quantitative analysis techniques
Quantitative analysis deals with numbers, logic and objective stance. Further it emphasise on the
measurement and the statistical, mathematical and numerical analysis of all the information
collected through survey.
The use of the quantitative method is done for investigating the link between variables with the
primary goal is analysed. This type of research approach is basically used at the time when the
scientific research problem is taken into consideration (Toye, et.al,, 2016.). Along with this, it
used to quantify the problem through the way of generating results from the large sample of the
population. The quantitative research method is well structured as compared to the qualitative
method. Along with this, it looks toward the general case than move toward the specific one.
There are different statistical tools and techniques applied in the research for gathering and
evaluating the data. It shows the causes and effects relationship. At the time when a strong
relationship exists among two variables then it is stated as highly probable (Tight, 2016).
It is critically analysed that quantitative research technique helps in measuring and analysing the
data. With the use of this research design, it is easy for the investigator to identify the
relationship between the dependent and independent variable that is covered in the study. It is
advantageous because the investigator is more objective related to the findings of the research
(Edson, et.al,, 2016). On the other side, there are also some limitations of the quantitative
technique such as experiment with this type of study is ignored. Along with this it does not see
the things in a natural setting so that real life situation cannot be represented successfully.
Before considering a quantitative research design it is important for the investigator to decide
that research is descriptive or experimental. It is so because it will reflect the way of gathering,
analysing and evaluating the results (Creswell and Poth, 2017) comparative, correlational,
experimental and quasi-experimental research.
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Descriptive research design: In descriptive research design it pursues to shows the current status
of the variables, which are found out. In research, they are used to render systematic information
related to a phenomenon. Further, in this investigator do not start with a hypothesis but they
developed it when all the information is collected (Winit‐Watjana, 2016). When the analysis is
done of the data and information that it provides a test of the hypothesis. It is critically analysed
that for a systematic collection of the information, it is essential for the investigator to carefully
measure each variable. There is some limitation of descriptive research design such as it cannot
test the research problem statistically and there is a certain level of bias. It is critically analysed
that it can be used at the time of describing the population, which is covered in the study.
Correlational study: Correlational study is a quantitative method, which is used to determine the
extent of a relationship between two or more variable with the use of statistical tools. It is
critically analysed that in this design researcher used to identify the relationship between a
numbers of facts and interpreted. It assists in recognizing trends and pattern in data, but it does
not conduct depth analysis for in order to prove the causes for these observed patterns (Mebius,
et.al, 2016). Furthermore, all the values are not manipulating but they are determining and
studied as they occur in a natural setting. It is critically analysed, sometimes-correlational study
is also considered as a descriptive research design. It is not an individual type of research due to
this reason its values are not manipulated.
Experimental research design: In this type of design method it is usually used to establish the
causes and effect relationship in between a group of variables which make up the study.
Sometimes it is called a true experimentation. It is critically analysed that the true experiment is
any study in which effort is made to find out impose control over all other variables except one.
Further, in this independent variable is manipulated for determining the effects on the
independent variable. There are some benefits of experimental research design (Bailly and
Comino, 2017). This design is repeated which help checking and verifying that result is
appropriate or not. In order to draw a causal conclusion, it is considered as one of the appropriate
research design. It is basic and straightforward due to which this research design can be applied a
variety of disciplines. It is critically analysed that, there is some limitation of this design such as
it can create an artificial situation, which sometimes does not represent the real-life situation. It
enables to specify why the outcome occurs.
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Casual- comparative/quasi-experimental research: This method is used in order to establish
causes and effects relationship between two variables. This design is similar to the true
experiments but they have some key difference. It is so because in this independent variable are
find out but they are not manipulated by a researcher (Wright, et.al, 2016). A scholar does not
randomly assign groups and used ones when they are formed naturally. However, at the time of
analysis, it is important for the investigator to be careful while determining the causes because
another variable both known and unknown can affect the outcome.
Through considering all the quantitative techniques it is analysed that all of them are effective
enough and some of the lack of proving the outcome, which is occurred with the use of tools and
techniques. For further, Ph.D. study the researcher can consider descriptive research design,
gathers data that defines events and organizes. In short, it deals with everything that can be
countable and studied. The reason behind considering this research design is that it has some
benefits and proven to be effective for the selected research (Kerr, et.al, 2016). Further subject
and respondents are observed in a natural and unchanged environment. In this data collection
allow conducting depth analysis, which helps in providing an appropriate outcome. It results in
rich data, which is collected from a large number of respondents. There are some essential
characteristics of descriptive research that is it can employ a large number of variables and there
is only one variable needed for validating research design.
4.) The appropriateness of qualitative research techniques
According to the Muriana and Vizzini, (2017) qualitative analysis technique is known as
empirical research, which does not include any numbers or numerical data. However, it mostly
includes words or language, pictures, and photographs. It is multiple method that focuses on the
explanatory, realistic approach to its subject matter. Hence, it can be stated that qualitative
researcher studies the things in their ordinary setting and understands the phenomena in terms of
the meaning, which is suggested by people. As per the view of the Raynor, et.al, (2017),
qualitative research is considered to be effective in order to gain depth understanding of
underlying reason and motivations. It leads to provide insights into the setting of a problem.
Along with this, it also provides ideas and hypothesis for further quantitative research.
Furthermore, qualitative methods are flexible and they allow greater spontaneity and adaption of
the interaction between the investigator and study participants. There are some key elements of
the qualitative research study and it can be applied in the investigation of the research problem.
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Qualitative data collection method has two techniques that are semi-structured or unstructured
techniques (Kalra, et.al,, 2017). In this, some common methods are included such as individual
interview, observation, group discussion and content analysis. Indirect observation, a scholar
studies a people when they go about their daily lives and they are observed without any
interference and participation. In this technique, people are unknown who are considered in the
study. It is critically analysed that, it is conducted in the public setting and there are no issues
faced by investigator related to the personal information of respondents. For instance, a scholar
used to observe a number of people who are interested in listening music in the mall. Secondly,
in focus group, an investigator is engaged in a conversation with a small group of participants. In
a group, questions were asked related to the research questions (Landau, et.al, 2016). However, a
focus group can contain at any place in between 5 to 15 respondents. It is critically analysed that,
in open-ended survey, questions are designed which allow for the generation and analysis of
qualitative data. For instance, a survey conducts with the reason of to get information which
political candidates chose and why they select them. Another type of qualitative research is in-
depth interviews in which a scholar directly speaks with each participant. Under this, a list of
topics are prepared by the investigator and it is asked from each respondent in one to one setting.
At last content analysis is one of the effective technique that is commonly used by a sociologist
in order to analyse social life (Hwang, et.al,, 2016). In this investigator interpret the world, image
and media. Under this researcher look at the words and images, which are similar to the selected
topic.
There are some types of the method with their advantage and disadvantages.
Structured interview: It is critically analysed that in structured interview one to one interview is
conduct with the use of a pre-determined questionnaire. Further one of its advantages is that it is
quick as compared to other research. However, one of its negative aspects is that it does not
allow to gather depth information.
Unstructured interview: It is critically analysed that in the unstructured interview, there are no
fixed standard questions and it is mostly used for exploring ideas (Mammen, et.al,, 2016). This
type if effective enough in order to gather information from depth analysis and more open
responses. However, in contrast to this, it is more time consuming and less consistent in
gathering data.
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Focus group: It is one of the more time effective and large number of information can be
gathered from multiple people if engaged in a group conversation. On the other side group, the
dynamic can be sometimes inhibited with an accuracy of the data.
Direct observation: It is critically analysed that direct observation is one of the best methods of
collecting the information and effective with respect to study the behavior of human. In this
information and data is collected is very accurate and reliable. Along with this observation
reduce the chances of bias and less demanding in nature (Muriana and Vizzini, 2017). On the
other side, there are some cons associated with the direct observation that are problems of the
past become difficult to study with the observation. Along with this attitude of people can be
observed and lots of time needed for observation or to wait for an event for research.
Through considering all the qualitative techniques it is critically analysed that most of them are
effective enough and some of the lack of collecting valid and appropriate information. For
further, Ph.D. study the researcher can consider open-ended questionnaire. In the open-ended
questionnaire, the researcher does not provide any option to the investigator. Therefore,
respondent has freedom to answer and provide their own views and opinion regarding a
particular topic. Hence it helps in gathering the depth information related to the topic. Apart from
this, the wording type and format of questions are essential at the time of formulating a schedule
of interview (Raynor, Ayubcha and Alavi, 2017). However, at the time of deciding the open-
ended questions in an interview researcher to ensure that the statistical ad procedures which are
used for analysing the data. It is critically analysed that there is some advantage of open-ended
questions such as it provides detail responses from the selected people. Apart from this, it
reduces the chances of bias and respondents provide their own views and opinions. On the other
side, one of its disadvantages is that a knowledge and skill is needed to for analysing the answer.
For few respondents, it is difficult to answer the questions due to lack of knowledge regarding
selected topic. However, it is effective enough in order to gather information that is useful for
getting valid outcomes. On the basis of text, it is suggested that while conducting a research a
scholar should use structured interview method which help in gathering specific information and
it is quick as compared to other. Hence qualitative investigation is effective enough as it helps in
conducting a depth understanding related to the attitudes, behaviours, interaction, events and
social process. Along with this its scope is fair limited due to which findings are not always as
generalizable. On the other side it is critically analysed that quantitative investigation includes
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the fast speed that data can be gathered. Along with this all the data and information can be
analysed fairly and quickly. However, it consists limited ability to review answers. After
analysing both qualitative and quantitative investigation the researcher will undertake qualitative
approach for completing the research. This research approach is less expensive than quantitative
research and render to investigate topic more depth and detailed.
5.) How the outcome of the project can be critically reviewed
A critical review is much more than a simple summary which is analysis and evaluated of
different books and journals or another medium. The aim of a critical review is to demonstrate
that the investigator has extensively researched the literature (Cutolo, et.al,, 2018). It goes
beyond the simple description of identified articles and covers degree of analysis and conceptual
innovation. A critical review can be effective if covers analysis and synthesizes material from
different sources.
There are different types of critical reviews such as literature review, systematic review, scoping
review etc., which can be done in a research paper in order to get a valid outcome.
Literature review: It is critically analysed that there a literature review is described as an
available material which offers an investigation of the recent or current literature review. There
is wide range of subjects which are covered in the research. Some of the common characteristics
of the literature review are that it included some of the material that has some degree of
durability and it becomes subject to a peer review process (Benz and Tanner, 2017). Apart from
this, it involves some general process in respect to identifying material for possible presence.
Some strength of literature review method is that it pursues to find out what has been achieved
previously, to avoid duplication or finding out the omission gaps. . It is critically analysed that
there, there is some limitation of the literature review is that it lacks to clear determined by the
enhanced scope or analysing the gathered data. Therefore, if any conclusion is made then it may
be biased (Gough, et.al, 2017). Along with this, a scholar may only select literature which can
care the world view and advance, undue credibility to the favoured theory. Furthermore, a
literature review is summary and explanation of the complete and current state of knowledge on
a limited topic.
Systematic review: Systematic review is also similar to the literature review which used to
collect and critically analyse different sets of research studies or papers. Along with this, a
systematic review summarises the results which are available and carefully designs for the health
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care studies. It` is basically used for the healthcare studies because it provides a high level of
evidence on the effectiveness of the healthcare intervention (quilani, et.al, 2017). However, these
types of review are complicated and depend on the clinical trials that are available. It is critically
analysed that there, in this, scholar reviews the numerical data related to the effects of the
treatment with the use meta-analysis process. The researcher also measures the evidence related
to the harm and benefit. Therefore, it can be stated that systematic review can summarise the
existing clinical research on a topic. There are some benefits of systemic review such as it
provides an overview of all the available evidence related to particular medical research
questions. Further, it can indicate the way findings can be applied to regular practices and find
out knowledge gaps. Under this conclusion are more reliable as compare to individual studies. It
can also reduce the bias at the time when scientist reaches conclusion.
Meta-analysis: It is a technique that statistically syndicates the consequences of quantitative
studies in order to deliver a more exact effect of the results. However, there are many systematic
reviews which presents the exact result without the use of any statistical tool. It is critically
analysed that there for making meta-analysis valid it is important that include different studies
materials. It leads to includes some characteristics such as population being studied (Knights and
Clarke, 2017). There is some strength of meta-analysis such it provides exact result and effective
enough in respect to gathering information from different sources. For example, in meta-analysis
research different statistical tools are used and it is considered as an evidence-based resource. To
select an appropriate study is one of the essential step in a meta-analysis. However, there is no
exact process of selecting the paper, but papers which are duplicate and written in such language
that cannot be understand and they can be eliminated.
It is decided that for the present research researcher can use literature review for critical analysis
as because it helps in providing depth information related to the selected topic. Along with this, it
also includes current knowledge with including substantive findings. To produce a literature
review is a part of graduate and post graduate which includes in the preparation of dissertation
and thesis. The present study is based on this topic which is a part of the thesis. Therefore, the
literature review will be considered as an effective method in respect to conduct depth analysis.
In this different author, information will be critically reviewed. Opinion and ideas of different
authors will be provided that can help in drawing a valid outcome. It provides easier to the
investigator to research on the particular topic and use of high-quality articles that are relevant
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for the present study. Apart from this, with the use of literature review an investigator can easily
determine gaps, inconsistencies and contradiction in the literature.
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