The Domains Of Professional Study At Henley Putnam University

The theoretical foundations of qualitative and quantitative methods are very different, but many researchers believe both methods should be used in the research study to increase validity and reliability.

There has probably been more energy spent on debating the difference, advantages and limitations between qualitative and quantitative research methods, it can be said that this issue has been debated to death with many spending years proving which methods is the best.

A qualitative study addresses the complexity of human experience, focusing on the big picture (Rebar & Gersch, 2015); while a quantitative study breaks a problem down into small pieces and focuses on specific parts to see how they all relate (Rebar & Gersch, 2015). Qualitative methods focus on subjective information, and never try to predict or control the phenomenon of interest (Rebar & Gersch, 2015); on the other hand, quantitative methods focus on statistics and objective information, and can yield predictions and control (Rebar & Gersch, 2015).

According to Kothari (2008) qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomena which are related to or involve quality or kind. Qualitative research engages the collection and analysis of non-numerical data obtained from experiments, interviews, observations, and other resources involving statements and arguments. Research is conducted into particular context and non-numerical interpretive approach is used to produce narrative description of research data. Unlike quantitative research, this type of research considers the underlying facts behind the establishment of particular behaviors and assumptions. It is commonly used in behavioural sciences where the aim of research is to discover underlying motives of human behaviour.

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).

Methods used in psychological research are used to obtain quantitative or qualitative data. Quantitative data is more often than not derived from methods such as experiments and statistics analysing data using surveys, questionnaires and interviews. Qualitative data tends not to be aimed at finding exact measurements in its findings, but is more concerned with evidence collection and analysis through practices such as observation and ethnography (using observations through involvement in activities over a period of time) (Brownlow 2011).

Quantitative and qualitative methods differ from one another as to their research design elements as listed below:

Quantitative research methods were originally developed in the natural sciences to study natural phenomena. However examples of quantitative methods now well accepted in the social sciences and education.

Quantitative research is considered to be the use of numbers. In the use of a quantitative study, the researcher test objective theories by examining the conjunction among variables. The variables used can be measured on instruments, so that numbered data can be used and analyzed (Creswell, 2008). Qualitative research is mainly used to explore and understand human or social problems. The process of qualitative studies includes questions and procedures; and the data is collected byway of participant’s settings. It allows the researcher to study an issue in great detail and depth, as well as not allowing data collection to be constrained by predetermined data. Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative methods and it involves philosophical assumptions. This form of study includes collecting and analyzing data from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. It is believed that mixed methods research is a great method for practicing researchers who would like to bridge the schism between quantitative and qualitative research (Onwuegbuzie & Leech, 2004a). Even though these methods are different, they all involve philosophical assumptions and distinct methods or procedures (Cresswell, 2009).

Qualitative and quantitative research are methods used in Sociology to explain and describe data. However, these methods contrast in different important aspects.

Quantitative research involves collecting data, which can be expressed numerically. The design is well structured with pre-determined outcomes. It frequently involves testing a hypothesis, which then can be analysed from the data deductively using statistical methods. Using numerical data is easier to analysis mathematical, so larger sample sizes can be utilised compared to qualitative research, therefore giving a better representative of the population; along with simplifying the process of making a generalisation. Another advantage is that studies can easily compare to similar findings (Kruger, 2003). The disadvantages are the results are limited and might not provide a proper understanding of the topic. Also, statistics and leading questions can be used to give a false representation of the data when summarising.

Defining Qualitative are dynamic they change because situations are not static and they having multiple realities, none of which is more valid or true than another. The purpose of qualitative methodology is to explain and get insight and understanding or description. By cautious and extreme literature review and data collection, which create hypotheses assumptions and the hypotheses are tested such inductive inferences develop while in contrast quantitative research methodology prevent relatively change in situation and events and it is depend on single reality which researcher ensure generalization and understanding. The aim of quantitative methodology in research is to predict the situation or event by the statistical testing of variables, whether they have correlation or not this is focused on numerical data such hypotheses are tested and develop deductive conclusion of the situation and event.

(i) Quantitative vs Qualitative Research: Qualitative research methods is based on values and not numbers while quantitative is based on numeric and Quantifiable data to generalize in its conclusion.

Birley and Moreland (1998) argued that data collection could be considered as the method towards developing a research proposal. Data collection can be considered as the process of a research project where the occurrence of ‘real’ research is felt by many researchers. Two types of data collection approach were chosen, qualitative and quantitative. Denzin and Lincoln (2005) mentions about qualitative research allow more in-depth understanding of the social and cultural impacts people experience. Qualitative methodology is a research process that allows the researcher to observe sociocultural lifestyle and feel the “live” action (Babbie, 2007). There are no indications of using any analysis or statistics (Boeree, 2005). The disadvantage of qualitative methodology are not comprehensive when compared to quantitative methodology as the information gathered are about interpreting the ideology and concluding the meanings as well as impacts taken from methodology (Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, 2011). In quantitative research, numbers are highlighted and are needed for

Quantitative research is one of three globally recognized research methods aligned with positivist and post-positivist knowledge claims; as a result, of empirical observations and measurements, quantitative research develops generalizations enable the researcher to predict, explain, and understand a phenomenon (Greene, 2014).