Comparison Of Qualitative And Quantitative Research

Discussion

Discuss about the Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Research.

In the recent times, the research approach has multiplied to a point where investigations may have consisted of several choices. It has been often observed that the positions held by the individual researchers keeps varying from time to time. It further provides an alternative view to the world, which involves mix of the strategies for carrying out the designated research objectives. The exploration of various issues related to quantitative and qualitative research directly relates the different ontological and epistemological questions, which needs to be considered while discussing the critical issues, interpretivism and positivism of a research project. It has been further observed that quantitative approaches of research method are subjected to focus more on positivist ontology while qualitative technique of research focuses more on the critical paradigm and interpretive aspect. Both approaches of research techniques are strongly associated with subjectivity and objectivity of the gathered information. The subjectivity is referred to the qualitative approach of research technique and the objectivity of research is related to the quantitative approach to research. There are several issues, which need to be considered based on the role of researcher within the research process. The study aims to highlight the key debate in facilitating and understanding the issues concerning the quantitative and qualitative approach of research. The learning outcomes is to outline the paradigms of both quantitative and qualitative research, illustrating the business of individual paradigms, identifying the similarities and outlining the methods in which quantitative and qualitative research approach and be combined (Ragin 2014).

In order to compare, contrast and highlight the differentiating features of qualitative and quantitative research approach it is important to understand the underlying principle behind both approaches of conducting research. Qualitative research in general is that branch of exploratory research method, which is used to know about the motivations, underlying reasons and opinions behind the research topic. It is further related to provide insights of problem or in developing hypotheses for a potential research approach. The information gathering process in qualitative research is based on a deep and comprehensive manner. The information gathering process is primarily done via focus groups, interviews and open-ended questions. In general, only a small number of participants are taken into consideration for this type of research approach, as it requires extensive research endeavor and time. The interviews are guided by highly structured open-ended questions or it can be also done in a less structured conversational form for a broader understanding of the responses (Bernard and Bernard 2012).

Benefits of Qualitative Research

A research conducted by Ahrens, DuBois, Garrison, Spencer, Richardson and Lozano involved implementation of semi-structured interviews for the purpose of outlining themes and mentoring characteristics and factors which the youths perceived for influencing mentor relationships. The researchers directly interacted with the participants via telephonic conversation and exchanged open-ended questions. The identification of the barrier and the facilitators for relationship initiation and maintenance, the researchers provided important fact for inquiries, which were to be used on a wider scope, and survey based approach. The overall findings of the study suggested that interrelating relationships with respect to the non-parental adults presented social source of assistance from the former youths in foster care. It was also identified that the factors would be involved in mediating the initial formations, stability over time and in fostering positive youth outcomes. The main limitation of the research study was seen in form of non-generalization of the qualitative study to a simple random sample of youth in foster care. Moreover, the participants consisted of only short area and the experiences they mainly involved from the interactions with one state’s system of child welfare (Hudson 2013).

The approach of quantitative research technique is associated with quantifying a problem by generating numerical data or information, which can be transformed and supplemented via application of statistical methods. This type of research technique is used to quantify opinions, define variables, attitudes and behaviors and also involved in generalizing results which are taken from larger sample population. The quantitative research techniques are further involved in measuring data for formulation of facts, which are used to uncover the various types of patterns used in a research study. The quantitative method of data collection is not only more structured than qualitative approach but it also focuses on a larger population of participants and considers possibility of summarizing the characteristics across various types of groups selected for the data collection procedure. This particular approach of research involves surveying a “large population” of individuals and application of statistical technique to recognize the overall trend associated with relation to the process. In addition to this, the use of surveys is done across several groups in this research approach. For instance, a similar survey can be applied with a group of mentors, which are involved in receiving training, and mentors who are not involved in receiving training. There is a possibility to compare the outcomes of interest and in determination of influence of the training, they had. In this research approach, it is also relatively easy to survey people based on number of times of allowance of certain features and concluding specific items such as matching and outcomes of research objectives (Mertens 2014).

Limitations of Qualitative Research

According to Shirish (2013), a case study based on “Grossman and Rhodes” involved examination of duration for matching relationships in more than “1,100 Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor-mentee matches”. As the data collected was based on survey method and in numerical form, “Grossman and Rhodes” were able to deploy statistical tools for relating how the duration of match was associated with outcomes of interest. The statistical techniques used in the research stated that youths matching the relationships, which prolonged for a year or longer were, reported to make several advancements in behavioral outcomes, psychosocial and academic fields. In case the research was not based on survey based quantitative approach would not have been possible to evaluate the data from such a large sample of matches. It has been interestingly noted that in case of smaller group of participants it is difficult to implement statistical tools for examination of emerging trends across large group of mentored matches. The present standard rule states that complexity in the statistical modeling for quantitative analysis needs to consider at least 130 participants and a more complex model needs a larger pool of participants for analysis of the same (Ritchie et al. 2013).

Some of the significant differentiating factors in quantitative research consist of analysis of those data, which is represented in terms of numbers. On the other hand research can be qualitative if it has been described persons, events or without using numerical data. Devon often observed that quantitative research is based more directly on the Oriental plans and results and can be readily analyzed and interpreted. The qualitative research involves more responsive and openness to the responses of subjects. For the research, different types of the data are identified as useful and valid in nature. It has been further observed that research based on quantitative methods tends to emphasize on relatively larger scale and representative set of data. It has been also observed that it is less likely to be related with gathering of “facts”. On the other hand Qualitative research involves collection and analysis of information in various different forms chiefly consisting of nonnumeric forms. The qualitative research approach mainly intends to focus on noting the minute details and smaller number of instances, which aims to achieve ‘depth’ rather than ‘breadth’. The alternative strategies of inquiry for quantitative data are seen in form of experimental designs and non-experimental designs, which involves conducting techniques such as surveys. The qualitative approach of research techniques is seen in form of usage of narrative phenomenology ethnographies based on grounded theory case studies (Bryman and Bell 2015).

It has been further observed that quantitative research is more time-consuming and involves lot of stress. For example, if an individual wants to complete a MEd dissertation or a similar degree one can easily finish with a straightforward questionnaire study. Qualitative research on the other hand needs to make a subjective analysis based on the non-numeric data, which may potentially involve more time than the former approach (Bryman 2015).

The main benefits of qualitative approach of research technique is seen in form of using open-ended questions and interviews which enable son researcher to experience and understand the important outcomes and the antecedents of the predetermined questions. It allows identification of new and unexplored phenomena and helps in providing a deeper understanding of mechanisms. The benefit is seen in form of providing one-on-one anecdotal information and providing verbal information, which may involve conversion of data into numerical form. In several occasions, it has been identified that qualitative research approach may reveal certain information switch pair not identified via predetermined survey questions (Rhodes, Rhodes, and McNamara 2014).

Some of the limitations of the qualitative approach of research techniques are seen in form of non-generalization of the population. In several research approaches, it is essential to implement statistical techniques and qualitative approach prevents the use of such methods. Lastly the difficulties seen in form of assessing relationship between the different characteristics of the information gathered (Creswell 2013).

The main benefits of the quantitative approach of research technique are seen in form of application of the research data in a broader group of individuals, which enables generalization. For instance, in case a policymaker needs to represent a policy for training of mentor, he or she would prefer to gather evidence on how the training actually works. This might be analyzed based on selection of individuals from a set of 40 participants. However, it may not provide strong evidence on the benefit of such a training based on such a small group of participants and hence a larger data set needs to be considered for a stronger support of successful implementation of training by using quantitative methods. The main benefit is also seen in conducting in a number of groups, which allows for comparison of the data and in generalization of the data in broader population said. The main advantage is seen in form of providing rating information or numerical analysis. Quantitative analysis enables information for instantiating policies or guidelines and it supports the usage of the statistical tools, which enables determination of various types of relationships among variables (Punch 2013).

The primary limitation of quantitative approach of research technique is seen in form of difficulty in recognition of new and unexplored phenomena. It should also maintain caution by interpretation of data without a control group (Creswell 2013).

Conclusion

It can be stated from the discussion that there is no best method for approaching research objectives. The use of several examples in the report clearly states that the user of technique varies completely with the type of data, which needs to be analyzed. It can be further stated that the quantitative and qualitative research approach enables the different perspectives of situations and both the approaches are considered as highly informative in nature especially when used in combination. The individual approaches has their own determinants and benefits and in being conscious of the techniques applied and information gathered which can assist several policymakers and practitioners to find the research evidences which can be applied in an experiment. In several instances the mixed method of research is found to be difficult in merging of analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data without losing the site and rational for conducting the research in the first place. The content analysis further suggested that it was common in mixed method to neglect the rational for conducting such research and using it in different form of rationales. In several instances, it was quite common in mixed method to neglect rational for the research. In several instance it was uncertain about how the best approach for the connection between the quantitative and the qualitative result where helpful in drawing outcomes from the research objectives. The contrast of the matter represent the mixed methods of both the findings are generally integrated rather than standing as separate spheres of the research domains. In general, the integrated studies based on qualitative and quantitative findings of the research are mutually informative in nature. The main barriers to the application of integrated research techniques is seen in form of non-integrity of the mixed method of research techniques which holds it back be fully utilized in practical scenario.

List of References

Bernard, H.R. and Bernard, H.R., 2012. Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Sage.

Bryman, A. and Bell, E., 2015. Business research methods. Oxford University Press, USA.

Bryman, A., 2015. Social research methods. Oxford university press.

Creswell, J.W., 2013. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage.

Creswell, J.W., 2013. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.

Hudson, A.L., 2013. Career mentoring needs of youths in foster care: Voices for change. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 26(2), pp.131-137.

Mertens, D.M., 2014. Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Sage publications.

Punch, K.F., 2013. Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Sage.

Ragin, C.C., 2014. The comparative method: Moving beyond qualitative and quantitative strategies. Univ of California Press.

Rhodes, J., Rhodes, J. and McNamara, N. (2014). What’s the Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches?. [online] The Chronicle of Evidence-Based Mentoring. Available at: https://chronicle.umbmentoring.org/on-methods-whats-the-difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-approaches/ [Accessed 2 Nov. 2016].

Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C.M. and Ormston, R. eds., 2013. Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage.

Shirish, T.S., 2013. Research Methodology in Education. Lulu. com.