After deciding on a research question, a researcher must map out how the research will be conducted by creating a research plan. When designing a research plan there are a number of variables to consider, including deciding which research method to use. According to Creswell (2013), a research method is a set of criteria for how data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. The author also explained that the chosen method is based upon the researcher’s philosophical assumptions and the research design (Creswell, 2013). Also to be considered is the problem being addressed through the study, the researcher’s personal experiences, and the study’s audience (Creswell, 2013). Research methods are chosen based upon whether the researcher is …show more content…
Additionally, research is conducted with samples of a population that are typically generalizable to the larger population from which the sample was drawn. Quantitative data is designed to define versus qualitative data, which is designed to describe phenomenon.
Qualitative Methods Qualitative designs originated “from anthropology, sociology, the humanities, and evaluation” (Creswell, 2013, p. 42). Conducting qualitative research allows a researcher to garner first-hand information about the lived experiences of particular populations (Creswell, 2013) and use that information to provide rich descriptions about a research problem. This research method allows for the discovery of information on abstract issues that are not immediately observable, such as emotions, gender roles, or social norms from the perspectives of multiple people (Trainor & Graue, 2014). Merriam and Tisdell (2016) listed six common research designs in qualitative research, including “basic qualitative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, narrative analysis, and qualitative case study” (p. 23). The authors stated that the basic qualitative research design encompasses the characteristics of all other qualitative research designs, and are common in the field of education and administration. Basic qualitative research as defined by Merriam and Tisdell (2016) is a method grounded in constructivism and seeks to understand how participants ascribe meanings to phenomenon. Additional
Within this assignment we are asked to identify if the research article that we choose for this unit is either a phenomenological approach or a generic qualitative approach was used, and then describe the physiognomies the evidence to support the identification. We then must explain and identify the main phenomenon that was under investigation in the research; describe the qualitative approach to analyzing the data in this study; describe what the data collection process as well as the role of the researcher; and evaluate the scientific merit of the selected approach. Next we will discuss how did the approach we used (either phenomenology or generic qualitative) help the researcher to answer the research question, and how differently might we have designed the research study differently?
The research design and methods of a study are constructed based on identifying the research problem, developing the theoretical framework, and reviewing the literature (Merriam, 2009). However, the heart of any research design, according to Maxwell (2013), is the research questions. The research questions help to focus the study and influence the choice of research design and methods for data collection. “More than any other aspect of your design, your research questions will have an influence on, and should be responsive to, every other part of your study” (Maxwell, 2013, p. 73).
Qualitative research reflects different ways that researcher’s collect data and explore all of the information through literature review. Participant’s that are reviewing is often observed for analysis while “the role of the researcher focuses as the primary data collection instrument necessitates the identification of personal values, assumptions and biases at the outset of the study; Qualitative researchers ask at least one central question” (Creswell, 2014, which can be explored in several contexts with further questions. According to the text Research Design (2014) “the researcher’s role is typically involved in a
Creswell, John.W (1998). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Traditions., Sage Publication, Oak, California
Therefore, a secondary qualitative design has been selected because it emphasises on the description and interpretation of the descriptive data leading to the generation of new concepts and organisational processes (Hancock et al., 2009). It allows performing the research in a way that facilitates the development of knowledge of the researcher and implication of the accountability, suggesting the fulfilment of the relationship of the researcher with the world (Hart, 2010). The secondary qualitative design has enabled the researcher to assemble the outcomes of several studies and deduce them to have a brief overview of the topic (Barbour, 2010). This research design allowed inspecting the available literature, as the researcher was able to collect noteworthy information (Jolley,
Qualitative research design is an evolving process that continues to expand as the research continues. Multiple types of study designs can be used when researching dependent on the information the researchers are trying to obtain. In the article, the researchers described the design as exploratory using semi-structured focus groups for data collection. Recordings were made of the interviews and then analyzed for similar themes. This type of design is called descriptive phenomenology which participants describe lived experiences through detailed interview or conversational process and then researchers bracket the opinions in their study (Polit & Beck, 2014). The method of design was appropriate for the research question and objectives as it allowed for the understanding of feelings and identity. The themes of questioning allowed for
Quantitative research involves collecting data, which can be expressed numerically. The design is well structured with pre-determined outcomes. It frequently involves testing a hypothesis, which then can be analysed from the data deductively using statistical methods. Using numerical data is easier to analysis mathematical, so larger sample sizes can be utilised compared to qualitative research, therefore giving a better representative of the population; along with simplifying the process of making a generalisation. Another advantage is that studies can easily compare to similar findings (Kruger, 2003). The disadvantages are the results are limited and might not provide a proper understanding of the topic. Also, statistics and leading questions can be used to give a false representation of the data when summarising.
This article defines qualitative research and what it is used for. After reading this article the reader will have a better understanding of what we have often thought the purpose of qualitative research answered ( “why” rather than “what”). This article also discusses how the method is used in different settings or scenarios.
On behalf of the research, a qualitative study is an exploratory research that consist of reasons, ideas and opinions to generate a potential research question. The common methods of the research are group discussions, interviews, and observations to help conduct a reasonable hypothesis (Frost, 2011). In regard to the topic, a qualitative study will be examined based on the sampling strategies, design of the research, and the findings within the data.
Qualitative research is conducted in a natural setting and attempts to understand a human problem by developing a holistic narrative and reporting detailed views of informants about the culture of a problem. It forms a report with pictures and words. One of the most important distinctions that sets qualitative research apart from more traditional types of research is that qualitative research is holistic in that researchers study phenomena in their entirety rather than narrowing the focus to specific defined variables” (p. 93). Similarly, Cresswell (1984) indicated that qualitative research “is defined as an inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem, based on building a holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting” (p. 2). Cresswell’s definition clearly delineates the major characteristics of qualitative research. Pg. 50 (Smith & Davis, 2010).
According to Yilmaz (2013) there exist two significant approaches to research with respect to studying the social and individual world. According to Creswell (2014) three types of design quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods should remain in consideration when choosing a research designs at the start of the process. The two methods exist a quantitative and
When selecting a research approach, Creswell (2014) outlines criteria that affect the choice of one approach over another. I have already discussed how my worldview, personal experiences, and identified problem of practice and the questions affect my research. The design, methods, and audience of my emerging research will also be considered in terms of choosing a research approach.
The qualitative research serves to comprehend and explain on what a participant means (Morrow, 2005). In a more elaborate manner, Creswell (1998) defines qualitative research to be an analytical
Qualitative research is a broad term for exploratory methodologies described as ethnographic, anthropological, naturalistic, field or participant observation research. It addresses the significance of looking at variables in the natural setting in which they are found in research. Relations between variables are essential parts of the research. Detailed data is collected through open ended questions from the respondents. The interviewer is a fundamental part of the research (Jacob, 1988).
There are also some differences between these study designs, which may cause some problems for the inexperienced researcher. “Quantitative research is objective; qualitative research is subjective. Quantitative research seeks explanatory laws; qualitative research aims at