In Defense of Qualitative Research Methods

Research, no matter what field, is often conducted and analysed in accordance with two basic approaches: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative approach aims to test a hypothesis and examine the relationship through generating numerical data or other information that is than converted into numbers, whereas the qualitative approach is more exploratory, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the research subject. Through breaking down and examining the key features in each of these approaches it is evident that although they both begin with a problem the researcher aims to understand they fundamentally differ. The table below shows side by side comparisons, highlighting the differences that can be used to differentiate these approaches, described broadly across three main categories.

This paper primarily concerns qualitative research, but we were asked to compare both qualitative and quantitative methods. During comparison, there are many noted differences in both study designs, but not many similarities. Qualitative research uses a subjective approach with a large sample population. It collects non-statistical data, using an unstructured or semi-structured technique (Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018). Quantitative research uses an objective approach and large, random, sampling to ask opinions in a structured way. The findings of quantitative studies are conclusive and used to recommend a final course of action (Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018). While it is hard to see similarities between the two, both methods aim to find a solution to a problem or question, the researcher doing the study may affect the outcome and an analysis of the collected data must be done (Souza, 2017). What many don’t realize is the connection amongst the two. You can say, both types of research build upon one another, meaning quantitative studies can quantify results found in qualitative research (Souza, 2017).

(2005) which explain that the exploration and description of case take place through detailed, in-depth data collection methods which multiple sources of data collection method in order to acquire information that are rich in context .Tessier (20120 supported that combination of data collection methods should be used in qualitative study to improve quality of data

Qualitative and quantitative research methods are two alternative applications for research methods. Both are very different in how data is collected, what data is collected, and how data is measured. Both of these research methods are utilized amongst the major areas of psychology and the social sciences. This paper will provide a brief description of qualitative and quantitative methods, provide the differences between the two approaches along with the terminology used for both; I will also refer to my article of choice from week one and specify which research method is used in that particular study; and finally, I will determine whether that same research study is non-experimental or experimental.

In a qualitative research, data collected is transcribed and analyzed. Aim of data analysis is to convert data into information and seek relationships within variables. Data analysis procedure helps understand the importance of good research design, strengths, and limitations (Malterud, 2012).

Researchers are sometimes using Quantitative and Qualitative research methodologies interchangeably, or all three of the methodologies including the mixed approach, Creswell (2009). However, the most distinctive differences between the two is the application used, or the design, using words for qualitative analysis, and

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

Qualitative data is not numerical and is more likely to take the form of observations or interviews. Obviously, it is very difficult to perform any statistical analysis on this kind of data. A further problem is that another researcher cannot replicate this data and therefore it is difficult to check the validity of what has been written. Researchers using this kind of data must be careful to avoid subjectivity, that is, they must avoid letting their personal beliefs or preferences affect the way they record and interpret the data. The advantage of this form of data collection is that it allows the researcher to answer open-ended questions; consequently, it is more flexible. Qualitative data also provides opportunities to explain the context of an observation and can therefore present a fuller picture (OU, 2001).

A qualitative methodological approach was the obvious choice in that it allows for the collection and interpretation of stories, narratives, interviews and other forms of non-quantifiable data. A qualitative approach also does not demand or strive for detached objectivity of the researcher but instead encourages the disclosure of researcher bias and the engagement of the researcher with the research and subjects, often in the role of participant-observer (Dade, Tartakov, Hargrave, & Leigh,

The method of qualitative research become key method in the human and social science and also in the education and health science. The definition of qualitative research is a research using methods such as participant observation or case studies which result in a narrative, descriptive account of a setting or practice. Sociologists using these methods typically reject positivism and adopt a form of interpretive sociology (Parkinson & Drislane,2011). It involves the research using data that do not indicate ordinal values. Furthermore, qualitative research includes the different kinds of data collection, techniques of analysis and diversity of theoretical frameworks (Guest; Namey & Mitchell, 2013). According to Creswell(2013) ‘’the final written report or presentation includes the voices of participants, the reflexivity of the researcher, a complex description and interpretation of the problem, and its contribution to the literature or a call for change.

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 quantitative research design was used for this research. According to Vogt, W. P. (2005), quantitative research emphasizes the measurement and analysis of causal relationships between variables, not processes. Aliaga and Gunderson (2005) defines quantitative research as ‘Explaining a phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analyzed using mathematics based methods’ this approach

Qualitative Inquiry is a type of research that evolves as the researcher learns new aspects about the subject they are studying (Polit & Beck, 2017). Interviewing the subjects of the study about their individual experiences and outcomes leads the researcher to a conclusion or further investigation. This discussion board assesses qualitative research and if it is feasible for the topic chosen for burnout and staffing levels in the emergency department.

The quantitative approach to research has numerous principles that make it unique compared to other approaches. In this paper, I will break down many of the

Qualitative research is the technique that is used as a part of exploratory research and to derive the independent variables. There are different methods through which we can conduct the qualitative research. As a part of this study we have adopted the following methods: