Mixed Methodology in the Field of Educational Research Essay

According to Yin (2003), there are two types of research approach. This includes quantitative research approach and qualitative research approach. A quantitative research emphasizes on transforming the data to numbers, quantities and statistics to formulate facts and to uncover patterns in a research. It addresses research purposes through empirical analysis that involve numerical measurement, the relationship between variables and analysis approaches (Zikmund et al., 2010). The sample size being investigated is typically large (Anderson, 2006). Quantitative research mainly uses questionnaires, surveys and other equipment to collect numerical or measurable data (Anderson, 2006). On the other hand, a qualitative research typically emphasizes words more than numbers

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.

By contrast, the main purpose corresponded with qualitative research is to make understanding with regard to participants. Moreover, qualitative research has many different ways of collecting information, but the best ways of qualitative research is to approach the sources of information, it is due to make the deeper understanding of the issues (Easterby-Smith et al, 2002; Wood et al., 2010, p. 59). In addition, quantitative and qualitative both were also many researchers debated. For example, quantitative research is mostly experimental and qualitative research is mainly non-experimental (Leeds-Hurwitz, 1995, p.50), (see table 5). While, various researchers also combined two methods for researching, which was called that “mixed-methods”. Creswell, (2003) have stated

Qualitative research methods are complex meaningful analysis characterised by processes and meanings that are not experimentally examined or measured in terms of mathematical measurements (Lincoln, 2003; Sarantakos, 2005). Quantitative research however, relies and builds on mathematical procedures and methods, such as frequency, quality, amount and statistical procedure. This paper will compare and contrast both qualitative and quantitative research methods endeavouring to highlight differences and similarities between the two methods.

This study will implement a mixed methods design to include both quantitative and qualitative methods.

As separate pieces of the research, all of the methods have their own advantages, however there are mainly disadvantages that make all of them either invalid or unreliable and nor representative. However if all these methods were combined into one – a mixed method research, all the qualities of the researches could have gone up, therefore it could have been even more useful to sociologists. Even though

Quantitative and qualitative research styles will both be used to increase the validity of the study, Parahoo (2006) agrees with this and describes this method as triangulation, incorporating a positivist approach. De Poy and Gitlin (2011) and Bryman (2012) agree with this and express that using a mixed methods approach gives a further comprehensive knowledge of the research method and conjoining the two can complement each other. Furthermore, Larkin et al (2014) state that the intention of mixed methods research is to improve confidence in findings, increase understanding in healthcare and ensure all groups in society are listened to. Moreover, Gelling, L (2014) found that the use of both approaches makes a great

The social sciences employ three main types of research methodologies: qualitative research, quantitative research, and mixed-methods research. Qualitative research is a catch-all term that describes field research within social settings (Saint-Germain, 2002). It does not have a control group or require the researchers to impose variables and is not going to be sufficient to establish causation. However, qualitative research is excellent at providing descriptions of behavior. While qualitative research is descriptive, quantitative research is predictive. It makes predictions known as hypotheses, tests those hypotheses, and attempts to establish cause and effect (Xavier, 2012). Mixed-methods research, as its name implies, employs a mixture of qualitative and quantitative elements in its research design. Generally, a mixed methods approach is appropriate when a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, together, provide a better understanding of research (Fischler, 2012).

The researcher will employ a mixed method research method to study the effects of maltreatment and how those maltreatments correlate with psychosocial behaviors. The author has chosen this method because she wants to explore internal and external behaviors of children who have experienced childhood trauma, also the researcher has personal reasons to explore this population. This method of research is more appropriate to get a clear picture of how the trauma experienced by children impacts their behaviors, in a mixed method research design, we use open-ended questions and surveys to really understand the problems associated with childhood trauma.

Mixed research methodology has been defined as the class of research approach whereby researcher combines both quantitative and qualitative research methods, techniques, concepts and approaches into a single set of study (Jhoson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004). Historically, the researchers have been using either quantitative or qualitative research approach in order to carry out their research. And, the main reason was due to the presence and wide differences between the supporters and followers of the both philosophies.

Sage (2009) explains that Qualitative information is collected first to enhance the understanding of the phenomenon under study. Furthermore, Polit and Beck (2012) explains the importance of Mixed Method in research and stated that a hypothesis that is supported by information, which is complementary brings about confidence in the validity of the results.

I’ll admit, my knowledge and understanding of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to research are areas I would like to strengthen. Chapter 1 provided a sound introduction and the foundational fundamentals. Therefore, I look forward to learning more through the direct application of the textbook.

When conducting research, a researcher may choose to the three different methodologies that include quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods to analyze the data collected. These three methodologies all have differing ways of reaching a conclusion in a research study. For example, Quantitative research uses deductive or confirmatory scientific method; it is used primarily as a source of description, explanation, and as a way to predict an outcome. Quantitative research was built on the basis of quantitative data, used almost always as the analysis of variables. The results of these kinds of theories relies mostly on measurements, are statistically driven and the goal is to generalize the results of the study.

Qualitative and quantitative methods allow researchers to investigate, explore and inquire the nature of the phenomenon being studied. It is important that the researcher develops a clear understanding of the problem and design a plan to investigate it (Cresswell, 1998, para. 1). There are a variety of research methods; nevertheless, it is important to consider which research method is appropriate for the study. Qualitative research focuses on human experiences while quantitative research relies on numbers, measurements, and testing. Nevertheless, qualitative and quantitative methods use similar approaches to conduct research and collect data. For example, observations and interviews are approaches used in both research designs;

The purpose of this study is to compare qualitative and quantitative approaches to research investigation in social science. After further examination of the relevant literature, a pragmatic approach has also been taken into consideration within this paper. I will discuss in detail about human perception and assumption and the impact that this can have on research investigation. I will critically discuss and compare the epistemological differences of quantitative and qualitative research approaches with an additional focus on a mixed method approach. I will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the three approaches, the differences in the research design and methodologies and present a logical academic argument to detail my understanding.