Types Of Research Paradigms And Methods

Quantitative and qualitative research generates from two different perspectives, and it provide different types of crucial information from the research subject. Qualitative research corresponds more with comprehensive and thorough descriptions of events, whereas quantitative research creates statistical models to explain events. Several advantages and disadvantages in qualitative and quantitative research, depends upon the researcher's purpose and area of focus and information that will answer those research questions (Creswell, (2013).

Quantitative research methods are objective as it uses measurements and analysis of statistical data to answer the study question. The researchers’ opinions do not affect the outcome of the study, ensuring that the study is unbiased. Another advantage is quantitative research uses numbers and statistics which is understood universally (Houser,2008).

Qualitative research is investigations which use sensory methods such as listening or observing to gather and organize data into patterns or themes. Qualitative research deals more often with language than numbers. Methods of gathering information might be focus groups or interview panels. It uses a flexible research design and utilizes an inductive process to formulate a theory. The idea is to get in depth information from the participants. The purpose is to understand and interpret social interactions.

Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the sociocultural level of analysis.

The methodological framework section will identify the most suitable research methods to be used in this research project, providing theoretical justification for the methods chosen.

Research methodology is conceptualised as the overall approach of the investigator to achieve the aim and objectives of the research study (Saunders et al, 2012). The literature has pointed out that effectiveness and efficiency of research methodology has a direct impact on its feasibility, reliability and authenticity (Bryman & Bell, 2015). This is the reason, it is proposed that standardised frameworks should be used to develop overall research strategy that is optimised for the aim and objectives of any given research.

Qualitative research methods pose some limitation. For instances the findings of the study is a bit more difficult to generalized to the study population and or community. The data collection can also be time consuming compared to other research methods (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2016).

The quantitative and qualitative research traditions can be thought of as distinct cultures marked by different values, beliefs, and norms. Qualitative research methods are complex meaningful analyses characterized by processes and meanings that are not measured in terms of mathematical measurements. Quantitative research however, relies and builds on mathematical procedures and methods, such as frequency, quality, amount and statistical procedure. There are unique characteristics which distinguish one research process from the other.

Quantitative research measures the quantity of a phenomena in numerical scores. Kothari states that "[q]uantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity"(3). The data usually collected from quantitative methods are statistically and numerically displayed. In quantitative research design, the researcher investigates a phenomena depending on the participants ' opinions and attitudes (Creswell, Research Design 20). These are the questionnaire and observation that I used in collecting my data. Firstly, I will talk about the survey questionnaire that I designed for collecting my data and the sample for whom the survey questionnaire is oriented. Next, I will talk about the referees to whom I sent my questionnaire to check the items ' validity and reliability. Lastly, in the questionnaire tool, I will describe how I did a pilot study with my questionnaire.

There are various different research strategies with distinctive characteristics available from which a researcher may select, based on the previous criteria.

As we have studied in this and other courses, quantitative research intends to solve problems by quantifiying data that can be later generalized to larger groups whereas qualitative research focuses on analysis of qualities in a deeper and more detailed manner. As their names indicate, quantitative studies are about quantities and qualitative studies are about qualities. Quantitative research proposes to solve research questions by providing statistics or percentages while qualitative will offer explanations, concepts, on the how or why of the problems. Quantitative research requires very specific research questions and

Quantitative and qualitative researches are based on different paradigms. Qualitative research strategy focuses mainly on words, human behaviour in the cultural context, attitudes and life experiences rather than numerical data (IPA Research Strategy. 2010). It focuses on collecting information to confirm how the variables interrelate. It is subjective and always relies on the interpretation of the situation of the individual undertaking the study.

In light of the literature, research philosophy is defined as the process of collecting and analysing collected data in standardised and unique manner (Crossan, 2003). The most commonly used research philosophies include; realism, positivism, and interpretivism. On the basis of the research objectives and design, the most appropriate research philosophy was positivism.

Paradigm is a universally recognized scientific achievement that for a time provides model problems and solution for a community of practitioners (Kuhn, 1962). Creswell (1991) also defined research paradigm as a perspective about research held by a community of researchers that is based on a set of shared assumptions, concepts, values, and practices; more simply, it is an approach to thinking about and doing research.

Research philosophy is based on the assumptions which define research strategy and explains the relationship between a research study and the data collection process (Zikmund, 2012). The research philosophy is categorised into positivism and interpretivism. Positivism only adheres the knowledge based on factual information through observations (data collection methods) which are mostly quantifiable and measurable (Saunders et al., 2009). Whereas in interpretivism, research variables can be interpreted through socially constructed measures (language, consciousness and instruments).