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Research – Methodology and Ethics

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RESEARCH – METHODOLOGY AND ETHICS
This essay attempts to identify and sum up two research methods (Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods), assess their relative strengths and weaknesses and explain how two ethical issues arise from research. Qualitative and Quantitative research approaches are two of the various methods used in sociological research. The use of these methods can be very important and can normally produce efficient, realistic and logical results.
So what is qualitative research and what is quantitative research? To begin with, we look at the distinctions between the forms of research. Thus, on first consideration, the use of questionnaires as a research technique might be seen as a quantitative strategy, whereas …show more content…

Qualitative descriptions can play the important role of suggesting possible relationships, causes, effects and dynamic processes.
Because statistics are not used, but rather qualitative research uses a more descriptive, narrative style, this research might be of particular benefit to the practitioner as she, or he could turn to qualitative reports in order to examine forms of knowledge that might otherwise be unavailable, thereby gaining new insight.
Qualitative research adds flesh and blood to social analysis.

Both qualitative and quantitative research methods have some similarities, for instance, whilst quantitative research may be mostly used for testing theory, it can also be used for exploring area and generating hypotheses and theory. Similarly qualitative research can be used for testing hypotheses and theories even though it is mostly used for theory generation.
Qualitative data often includes quantification, e.g. statements such as more than, less than, most as well as specific numbers, quantitative, i.e. questionnaire approaches can collect qualitative data through open-ended questions.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
During the designing of questionnaires and the training of interviewers a number of ethical issues need to be taken into consideration. Respondents have a right to be informed about the nature and purposes of the study and how the information will be used prior to data collection. The issue of anonymity,

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