Quantitative vs. Qualitative: A Comparative Analysis of Research Methods Engaging in a research project can be a frightening and intimidating task for anyone. However, Polansky and Waller (2015) provide a six-step process that is designed to simplify the research process by alleviating anxiety and ensuring that the researcher is able to complete the project in a timely manner. The first step is defining the problem so that it is clearly understood. Once there is clarity on what needs to be done or of what is required, the focus can shift towards completion of the project. Step two is laying out the research objectives that need to be accomplished in order to arrive at a solution to the research question. Next, a determination is made on the best course of action to acquire the required information. Once a suitable framework is selected, it is time to move on to the fourth step, which is gathering data. The fifth step involves analyzing and deciphering the data and putting it all into a usable format that answers the research question. Finally, we arrive at step six, which means the research question has been answered, and the results are ready for presentation (Polansky & Waller, 2015). Research in its most elementary form can be described as the activities that enable us to expand our knowledge. The process involves the gathering and synthesis of information so that the facts surrounding a given problem can be analyzed and a suitable answer or alternative solution to the
Research can be defined as the search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, with an open mind, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories. Research can be divided into different steps in order to understand the whole process more in depth. The first step towards conducting research is to observe. Consistst of the subject area of ones interest and following that subject area to conduct subject related research. The subject area should not be randomly chosen since it requires reading a vast amount of
WHAT IS RESEARCH? It is a planned process whereby information is collected for a specific purpose, analysed and reported.
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.
Quantitative research is a form of conclusive research involving large representative samples and fairly structured data collection procedures. A primary role of quantitative research is to test a hypothesis (Roberts, 2012).
Within this assignment there will be a clear demonstration and understanding of the concept of research in relation to the acquisition of underpinning knowledge appropriate to my programme of study. I will also be undertaking a comparative analysis of the nature and validity of quantitative and qualitative research methods. I will also be demonstrating skills in critical analysis of methods of data collection and selection of appropriate methods to informing future working practice. I will also be analyse the ethical considerations in relation to the development and undertaking of research.
Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative methods on each of the elements listed. Please use scholarly, academic literature to support your response.
Business researchers utilize various forms of approaches to analyze and obtain information and data, and two of the most popular approaches used are the qualitative research approach and quantitative research approach. Each approach can be beneficial or in some cases may cause inconclusive results depending on the type of research being conducted and what the nature of the study is. The following will assess two different peer reviewed articles: one which uses a qualitative approach and the other a quantitative approach. It
Research can be a very scary topic when it is first introduced to a class, and I was that scary student. Research to me was like learning how to swim for the first time with a life vest on, and my heart beating 100 miles per hour because I’m so afraid. Taking off my life vest and diving into this research course has been very rewarding for me. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. It has open my eyes up to a variety of ways I can start and conduct my research. Research is not so scary anymore. In this paper, I’m going to tell you about the things that I have learned and perfected while taking this course.
Evidence-based practice is a crucial part of nursing. To reach the goal of evidence-based practice it all starts with first obtaining research. It is important to understand the different research models and be able to identify reliable research from unreliable. While qualitative and quantitative research models differ in many ways, they both play a critical part in obtaining evidence-based practice in nursing. The objective of this paper is to analyze qualitative and quantitative research models and how they relate to practical application.
The research process is a systematic approach that is carried out with a particular aim or purpose. However, in order to come up to a conclusion based on the objective of the research, the researchers collect a multitude of information that can be analyzed. This is a normal course of action that is applied to all research and evaluation projects, despite of the fact that research method involves a scientific method of inquiry or an evaluation based research or action research.
This essay will compare and contrast the 3 articles below in relation to qualitative and quantitative approaches to research focusing on the design and methods used in each study including sampling, data collection and data analysis. The first chosen article by Winkens et al. (2006) uses a qualitative method to look at the manifestations of mental slowness in the stroke population. Toulotte, Thevenon, Watelain and Fabre (2006) uses a case comparison quantitative study to identify healthy elderly fallers and non-fallers by gait analysis under dual task conditions and the study by Girou, Loyeau, Legrand, Oppein and Brun-Buisson (2002) uses a randomised clinical
Research is a systematic, precise and rigorous inquiry or investigation that allows people to understand the nature of a problem or idea (Grossoehme, 2014; Stringer, 2014). All research can be visualised as an extension of the activities we engage in day by day, which requires one to move past the day-to-day understandings and engage in a more precise and rigorous description, observation or explanation of the problem or idea (Stringer, 2014).
Social theory is a “system of interconnected ideas that condenses and organises the knowledge about the social world and explains how it works” (Neuman, 2006, p.8) and for many years scientists have gathered data using specialised techniques such as Quantative and Qualitative research to support or reject these theories. Quantitative research “generates numerical data or information that can be converted into numbers,” (Experiment Resources, 2009, p.1) meaning only measurable data will be gathered and analysed in this type of research. Qualitative Research on the other hand “generates non-numerical data and focuses on gathering mainly verbal data rather than measurements” (Experiment
Qualitative and Quantitative study designs both can be beneficial in research design. They both provide valuable options for researchers in the field. These techniques can either be used separately in a research study or they can be combined to achieve maximum information. This paper will define the terms qualitative and quantitative; describe the similarities and differences between each; discuss how qualitative and/or quantitative research designs or techniques could be used in the evaluation of my proposed research; and discuss why linking analysis to study design is important.
Research is usually generated by a question since people are surrounded by unproven beliefs, unresolved problems as well as unanswered questions. Research thus seeks to answer the when, how, and why questions about events. Such question is referred to as the research problem, and serves to guide the researcher on what to solve and the questions to answer. Further, the nature of the problem a researcher wants to tackle influences the form of the research to arrive at a systematic, controlled, and empirical investigation.