Quantitative And Qualitative Research Techniques And Procedures Psychology Essay

denary And Qualitative Re look for Techniques And Procedures Psychology EssayThe term enquiry is ordinarily utilise interchangeably with investigate, contract, explore examine and fuddle inquiries of a particular(prenominal) topic. In general terms, query can be defined as the gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of intimacy. The Princeton University wordnetweb published some interesting definitions of seek includingAttempt to construe out in a systematic eithery and scientific mannerSystematic investigation to establish factsinquire into or a search for knowledgeIn the scientific and academic terms however, the earthy use of the team tends to refer to the definition of research in a scientific stage setting where it is utilise to mean performing a orderical study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific question. This scientific perceptiveness and application of research assumes a research process which involves manipulation of the v ariables in general with exceptional of process that use case studies and subtile observational science for which this generalization does not always hold true.Research methods be technique(s) for gathering data (Harding, 1986) and argon generally dichotomized into be either numerical or soft. It has been argued that methodology has been gendered (Oakley, 1998), with quantifiable methods traditionally being associated with words such as positivism, scientific, objectivity, statistics and masculinity. In contrast, qualitative methods have generally been associated with interpretive, non-scientific, thingivity and femininity.C. R. Kothari categories research methods into trinity main types depending on purpose, area of direction and research go oni. Depending on its purpose, research is said to be exploratory research which is overly divided into both subtypes of descriptive and analytical research. This type of research is purposed to and structured to identify new proble ms or relationships between phenomena. Thus, it is aimed at describing the state of affairs as it exists and it is usually through through come after to get new facts which are analyse to find new connectionsii. Based on the focus and the result of the research process, we do find the Constructive research also known as applied research. This type of research is used to develop solutions to practical problem at hand. In this cor doing category, there is Empirical research through which researchers tests the feasibility of a solution using observed dataiii. Based on the approach, research can also be categorized as qualitative or quantitative. This categorization is based on the research methods used. The choice between the two is based on the properties of the subject matter and or the objective of the research. (C. R. Kothari 2004). Those two are the most comm merely used categorisations and form the main schools of thought in research. Although they are commonly used together i n complex research processes, the merits of one of over the other hotly debated especially in the field of social science research.Due to the screen background and space limitation, I do not intend to cover the entire field of scientific research. The reminder of this paper provide therefore focus on the examination of these two methods in iii above Looking their key characteristics, date collection and compendium methods, and identifying the respective advantages and disadvantages, validity level and the discussing the contemporary public utility on the two methods in the research process.Quantitative Research Techniques and ProceduresQualitative analysis is a process that is often the precursor to quantitative, statistical work a process to make the tacit underpinnings of an issue explicit a process you can use to deepen your understanding of complex social and human factors that cannot be understood with numbers a process that fosters you figure out what to count and what to measure (Kerlin, 1999, p. 1).Some of the common methods of carrying out quantitative research are surveys and observations. Surveys are commonly carried out either the respondent or the researcher filling in questionnaires. While observational research involves the research watching or spy various behaviors and patterns. Mary other different kinds of quantitative research methods are used besides the surveys and observations. More complicated forms of quantitative research are data-based research or mathematical modelling research (Peter J.P. Donnelly J.H, 2000).In the social sciences, quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships. The process will involve the development and use of the different mathematical models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena to measure empirical observation and mathematical expression that evidence the quantitative relationships.Although this resear ch approach is commonly used in the social sciences such as psychology, sociology and anthropology, quantitative research mathematical sciences such as physics is also quantitative by definition, though this use of the term differs in context. In the social sciences, the term relates to empirical methods, originating in both philosophical positivism and the history of statistics, which contrast qualitative research methods. (http//en.wikipedia.org)One of the key characteristic of quantitative research is that it Involves analysis of data like numerical date, word, pictures and objects. (Miles Huberman (1994)Qualitative Research Techniques and ProceduresQualitative research is a generic term for investigative methodologies described as ethnographic, naturalistic, anthropological, field, or participant observer research. It emphasizes the importance of looking at variables in the natural setting in which they are found. Interaction between variables is important. Detailed data is gat hered through open ended questions that provide direct quotations. The interviewer is an integral part of the investigation (Jacob, 1988). This differs from quantitative research which try ons to gather data by objective methods to provide information near relations, comparisons, and predictions and attempts to remove the investigator from the investigation (Smith, 1983).According to Andrew (2007), qualitative research is a method of inquiry appropriated in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and make headway contexts. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. The qualitative method investigates the why and how of decision devising, not just what, where, when. Hence, littler but focused samples are more often fatalityed, rather than large samples.According to Andrew (2007), qualitative research is used to denote approaches which a re supported by a set of hypotheses concerning the way the social gentlemans gentleman functions. It deduces many of its basic principles from the perspective that there are fundamental differences between the science of human world and science of natural world and consequently needs to use distinctive methods. Here, attention is focused upon looking at the world through the eyes of analyse objects and upon evolving concepts and theories which are grounded in the collecting data. So, qualitative research connected with own accounts of the individuals of their attitudes and behavior. The significance of qualitative research consists in setting stress on describing, understanding complex phenomena. It investigates, for instance, the relationships and patterns among factors or the context in which the activity happens. It is concentrated on understanding the full many-dimensional picture of the subject of investigation.Qualitative methods produce information only on the particular ca ses studied, and any more general conclusions are only hypotheses (informative guesses). Qualitative research is aimed at deepening our understanding about phenomenon, and will usually involve going beyond surface analysis of numbers and the statistics to the deeper meaning behind story being told by the numbers. It aims to gives the reasons and establishes causal relationships.It is often contrasted to quantitative research which focuses on the quantitative elements of phenomena. In practice however, the two methods are often used together to get to the bigger picture.Face-to-Face Interviews and Focus GroupsThe most common forms of qualitative research are face-to-face interviews and focus groups. Face-to-face interviews are just that Meeting individual in person and discussing various issues. The informant or person you are interviewing may be an expert in a particular field (e.g. the editor of a newspaper) or they may be someone who is affected by the issues you are researchin g (e.g. someone who is HIV positive or who reads the media).Focus groups involve discussions with two or more participants. While questions for focus groups need to be prepared to guide and focus the discussions, the responses are often free-ranging, as the participants are encouraged to explore the issues at hand in an in-depth way.While focus groups and interviews will help you develop explanations for quantitative data, some meters they can provide you with quantitative data themselvesBasic Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative Research TechniquesQuantitative and qualitative research methods differ primarily intheir analytical objectivesthe types of questions they posethe types of data collection instruments they usethe forms of data they producethe degree of flexibility strengthened into study designThe key difference between quantitative and qualitative methods is their flexibility. Generally, quantitative methods are fairly inflexible. With quantitative methods su ch as surveys and questionnaires, for example, researchers ask all participants identical questions in the alike(p) order. The response categories from which participants may choose are closed-ended or fixed. The advantage of this inflexibility is that it allows for meaningful comparison of responses across participants and study sites. However, it requires a thorough understanding of the important questions to ask, the best way to ask them, and the range of feasible responses.Qualitative methods are typically more flexible that is, they allow greater spontaneity and adaptation of the interaction between the researcher and the study participant. For example, qualitative methods ask mostly open-ended questions that are not necessarily worded in just the same way with each participant. With open-ended questions, participants are free to respond in their own words, and these responses tend to be more complex than simply yes or no.In addition, with qualitative methods, the relationsh ip between the researcher and the participant is often less formal than in quantitative research. Participants have the opportunity to respond more elaborately and in greater detail than is typically the case with quantitative methods. In turn, researchers have the opportunity to respond immediately to what participants say by tailoring subsequent questions to information the participant has provided. Merriam (1988) provided a basis for differentiating qualitative and quantitative research techniques based on their characteristics.Characteristics of Qualitative and Quantitative Research stain of ComparisonsQualitative ResearchQuantitative ResearchFocus of researchQuality (nature, essence)Quantity (how much, how many)Philosophical rootsPhenomenology, symbolic interactionPositivism, logical empiricismAssociated phrasesFieldwork, ethnographic, naturalistic, grounded, inherentExperimental, empirical, statisticalGoal of investigationUnderstanding, description, discovery, hypothesis gene ratingPrediction, control, description, confirmation, hypothesis testingDesign characteristicsFlexible, evolving, emergentPredetermined, structuredSettingNatural, familiarUnfamiliar, artificialSampleSmall, non-random, theoreticalLarge, random, voiceData collectionResearcher as primary instrument, interviews, observationsInanimate instruments (scales, tests, surveys, questionnaires, computers)Mode of analysisInductive (by researcher)Deductive (by statistical methods)FindingsComprehensive, holistic, expansivePrecise, narrow, reductionistHowever, there is a range of flexibility among methods used in both quantitative and qualitative research and that flexibility is not an indication of how scientifically rigorous a method is. Rather, the degree of flexibility reflects the kind of understanding of the problem that is being pursued using the method.Merits of Quantitative AnalysisThe use of surveys permit a researcher to study more variables at one time than is typically come-at-able in laboratory or field experiments, whilst data can be collected about real world environments.The usefulness of a survey is that the information you get is standardized because each respondent the person who fills out the questionnaire is answering the exact same questions. Once you have enough responses to your questionnaire, you can then put the data together and analyze it in a way that answers your research question or what it is you want to know.Since case studies follow a structured format, different situations can be compared or analyzed comparatively. Case studies are typically short (often no more than 5 pages long) and usually only contain the essential information needed to present a situation and, if necessary, to describe and properly analyze a problem.Quantitative data can determine when students have achieved or failed a task, and they can provide national ranking, percentiles, and allow researchers to conduct comparison analyses. Nevertheless, they cannot provide t he append picture of why a particular student has either succeeded or failed (Burnaford et al., 2001 Gall et al., 1996 and Mc Bride Schostak, 2000).In quantitative research, the researcher neither participates in nor influences what isbeing studied thus, he/she examines the circumstances objectively. In some qualitative research, the researcher may play a more subjective role and participate by being immersed in his/her research. That is, the observer may be the teacher or the facilitator. This role is often the case with when action research, case studies, and focus groups are used in educational research.Advantages of surveysGood for comparative analysis. keep get lots of data in a relatively short space of time.Can be cost-effective (if you use the Internet, for example).Can take less time for respondents to complete (compared to an interview or focus group)Specific concrete exampleCan help with problem solvingAre often interesting to read.Demerits of Quantitative AnalysisA key weakness of quantitative analysis is that it is very difficult to body forth insights relating to the causes of or processes involved in the phenomena measured. There are, in addition, several sources of bias such as the possibly self-selecting nature of respondents, the point in time when the survey is conducted and in the researcher him/herself through the design of the survey itself.It could be argued that the quantitative researcher is more precise, but theresponse would be that with people it is not possible to be so precise,people change and the social situation is too complex for numericaldescription. Quantitative research has a tendency to clarify where glade is not appropriate. (Mc Bride Schostak, 2000, pp. 1-2)Disadvantages of SurveysResponses may not be specific.Questions may be misinterpreted.May not get as many responses as you need.Dont get full story.Can take time to developDepending on format, may need some level of good writing skillsDo not usually give commodiou s overview of issue at hand.Merits of Qualitative TechniquesThe approaches of the qualitative research differ from the methods of the quantitative research. Quantitative methods have their aim in dividing into clearly defined parts, or variables. When we research an issue which we know how to quantify, for example, what can be quantified for sure, we may leave out the factors which are crucial to the real understanding of the phenomena under study (Andrew, 2007).Qualitative methods are helpful not only in giving rich explanations of complex phenomena, but in creating or evolving theories or conceptual bases, and in proposing hypotheses to clarify the phenomena. Besides, rank of the qualitative research consists in validity of the information received people are minutely interviewed so as the obtained data would be taken as correct and believable reports of their opinions and experiences. Its major disadvantage is that small group of interviewed individuals can not be taken as repre sentative (Andrew, 2007).Case studies involve an attempt to describe relationships that exist in reality, very often in a single organization. Case studies may be positivist or interpretivist in nature, depending on the approach of the researcher, the data collected and the analytical techniques employed. Reality can be captured in greater detail by an observer-researcher, with the analysis of more variables than is typically possible in experimental and survey research.Another type of qualitative analysis is site let downs. Site visits help you understand your research better site visits (e.g. when you visit an organization, a manufacturing plant, a clinic or a housing project) are very useful and sometimes even necessary ways of gaining additional insight and making your theoretical information concrete in your mind. They allow you to observe what is going on, and to ask questions you may not have thought about.Qualitative research has a phenomenological focus that can provide an enriched anddetailed description of the participants actions and/or viewpoints (Veronesi, 1997).Advantages of Face-to-Face InterviewsCan allow for in-depth knowledge sharingHelps to develop the bigger pictureHelps with analysis of resultsGood for networking (e.g. you may be referred to other people to interview).Advantages of Focus GroupsGood for community participation (grassroots input)Helpful in developing ideas and sharing latent, or hidden, knowledge spontaneouslyEnables you to get information from a number of individuals simultaneously.Advantages of Site Visits and ObservationDemerits of Qualitative AnalysisCase studies can be considered weak as they are typically restricted to a single organization and it is difficult to generalize findings since it is hard to find similar cases with similar data that can be analyzed in a statistically meaningful way.Disadvantages of Face-to-Face InterviewsCan be time consumingMay be difficult to arrange an interview timeCan be difficult to compare and analyze information.Disadvantages of Focus GroupsCan be difficult to set upParticipants may need to be compensableNeed to be sensitive to who the facilitator isMay need a translatorSometimes difficult to organize and analyze information.Disadvantages of Site Visits and ObservationTake timeCan be expensive (depending how far you need to travel)With observation in particular, you need to be careful how you interpret what you see. With site visits, you may want to make sure you have a guide so that you can ask questionsHowever, the disadvantage of the quantitative as well as qualitative research is that they do not always underpin understanding of multi-dimensional pictures (Andrew, 2007).