Research Methodology : Methods For Collecting Information And Interpreting Them Essay

Quantitative research is done to find the accurate facts by evaluating the problems like opinion, behaviour by using numerical data. This research is based on theories, hypothesis, collecting, analysing the data to make the research accurate.

Research methods are “the various specific tools or ways data can be collected and analysed, e.g. a questionnaire, interview, etc.” (Neville, C, 2007).

It is common for researchers to compare qualitative and quantitative research methods. Quantitative methods originate from positivist and post- positivist research paradigms. Also, the methods objectively examine statistical data to determine cause and affect and often use generalizable data. There are various methods used in quantitative research such as surveys,

In defining quantitative research the term can be dichotomized. Firstly, research refers to creative, systematic work with the intention to increase the knowledge of man and thereby devise new applications (OECD, 2002). In addition Gray (1997) stated that research should improve performance and that the results should be

Maxwell (2005) also notes that qualitative research can be used to address various issues and is not restricted to one ontological stance. The method also involves developing a relationship with the people one is studying, an aspect that is important in defining the authenticity of the data and determining the course of action.

Both approaches use single, assorted, and longitudinal methods in the research design, but quantitative requires stringent consistency and also utilizes a cross-sectional approach, along with longitudinal, in order to acquire the most successful results. Quantitative research also maintains a clear distinction between facts and judgments (Cooper & Schindler, 2008).

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).

In its purest definition, quantitative research focuses on a systematic and empirical approach to research based on statistical, mathematical and/or computational techniques. The overall objective

Quantitative research can be described as explaining occurrences by collating data that can be analysed using mathematical methods (Muijs, 2004). Quantitative data is considered important as it is unbiased and reliable, is able to look at relationships between variables identifying cause and effect in controlled situations (Newman and Benz, 1998).

Quantitative research is by its very nature deductive. It uses scientific methods to uncover the processes by which both physical and human events occur (Ellis 2010). It reduces complex behaviour to a simple set of variables that offer the possibility of identifying cause- and- effect relationship (Sim & Comerasamy 2013). Quantitative research according to Gournay (2001) takes a higher position in the hierarchy of evidence. A typical example is the Randomised control trial (RCT).However, in healthcare, quantitative research is sometimes indicted for being rigid and devoid of human

Creswell (2013) contends that “we need to identify our approach to qualitative inquiry in order to present it as a sophisticated study, to offer it as a specific type so that reviewers can properly assess it, and…to offer some way of organizing ideas that can be grounded in the scholarly literature of qualitative research” (p. 69). Although I believe all three arguments cited by the author are important, this week’s readings and discussion emphasized the third reason in particular. Indeed, reviewing the five approaches provided me with ideas regarding how to investigate and explore the topic. Although I am still struggling with some of the details and aspects, a rough framework is

Quantitative research methods comprise surveys: questionnaires or interviews and experiments: field or laboratory. Surveys are the primary method of quantitative research. Quantitative studies use statistical analysis to determine if significant differences exist between groups (Carpenter, Harding,

Quantitative research could be defined as is the systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. This data is classified as any data in numerical form such as statistic or percentages. Its

Quantitative research is relatively inexpensive, and is less labor and time expensive to gather the data. It is a more formal and objective

Qualitative research is a technique of promoting research that stresses the quality according to the user’s point of view and approaches. In depth interviews and focus groups are best examples of qualitative research. [Laura Lake, 2009]