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14 views

grp assignment

Uploaded by

tirivashe
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Group five

Discuss the attributes of qualitative and quantitative research approaches

Introduction

Qualitative and quantitative research approaches are two primary methods used in scientific
investigations, each with distinct characteristics and purposes. While both methods aim to gather
data and provide insights, they differ significantly in their approach, data collection techniques,
and the type of information they produce. Understanding the attributes of each approach is
crucial for selecting the most appropriate methodology for a given research question.

Qualitative Research Approach

Qualitative research is primarily exploratory and is used to gain an in-depth understanding of


underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into a problem, helps to
develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research, and reveals trends in thought and
behavior.

Key Attributes:

Subjective and Exploratory:

Qualitative research is focused on exploring complex phenomena in their natural settings, paying
attention to the social, cultural, or historical context (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016). It seeks to
understand how individuals or groups perceive and experience the world around them.

Open-Ended Data Collection:

Data is often collected through methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations. These
methods allow for open-ended responses, giving participants the freedom to express their
thoughts in their own words.

Small Sample Sizes:

Typically, qualitative research involves smaller sample sizes due to the detailed and intensive
nature of the data collection process. These samples are often non-random and selected
purposefully to gain deeper insights into particular cases.
Non-Numerical Data:

The data collected is usually in the form of words, images, or objects, and it is not easily reduced
to numbers. According to Denzin and Lincoln (2018), the data collected are usually non-
numeric, such as interviews, observations, and open-ended surveys. This data is analyzed
through categorization, interpretation, and thematic analysis rather than statistical techniques.

Flexibility:

It allows for flexibility in research design, where methods can evolve as the study progresses.
The research questions may be adjusted based on what is learned during the research process.

Contextual Understanding:

Qualitative research emphasizes understanding phenomena within their context. It explores the
"why" and "how" aspects, providing a rich, detailed picture of the subject. It often relies on the
researcher’s interpretations, making the findings more subjective. Researchers immerse
themselves in the environment or context to gain a deeper understanding (Creswell, 2014).

Example Research Methods:

 In-depth interviews
 Focus groups
 Participant observation
 Case studies

Quantitative Research Approach

Quantitative research, on the other hand, deals with quantifying relationships, behaviors, or
phenomena. It is often used to test hypotheses or examine cause-and-effect relationships,
providing results that can be generalized to larger populations.

Key Attributes:

Objective and Measurable:

Quantitative research seeks to measure variables and quantify relationships between them. The
approach is more objective and focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis. Quantitative
research seeks objectivity, with measurements and results that are independent of the
researcher’s biases or interpretations (Creswell, 2014).

Structured Data Collection:

Data is collected using structured tools such as surveys, questionnaires, or experiments. These
tools often contain closed-ended questions with predefined response options, which allows for
consistency and comparability.

Fixed Research Design: The research design is usually structured and predefined, with
hypotheses or research questions set early on and a clear method of data collection (Saunders,
Lewis & Thornhill, 2019).

Large Sample Sizes:

Quantitative research typically involves larger sample sizes to allow for statistical analysis and
generalization of results. Random sampling is often used to ensure the representativeness of the
population.

Numerical Data:

The data collected is in numerical form, which allows for statistical analysis. Quantitative
research collects numerical data, which can be statistically analyzed to identify patterns,
relationships, and trends (Bryman, 2016). Researchers use various statistical tests to analyze
relationships, test hypotheses, and determine the significance of their findings.

Replicability:

Quantitative research is highly structured and often replicable. This allows other researchers to
repeat the study under similar conditions to validate the findings or test new hypotheses.

Generalizability:

Because of the standardized methods and larger sample sizes, quantitative research results can
often be generalized to larger populations, especially when random sampling is used (Neuman,
2014).
Example Research Methods:

 Surveys
 Experiments
 Longitudinal studies
 Cross-sectional studies

Conclusion

Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches offer valuable insights into different
aspects of a research question. Qualitative approaches are ideal for gaining a deep understanding
of experiences and contexts, while quantitative methods are useful for measuring and testing
relationships between variables. The choice of approach depends largely on the research
objectives and the type of data needed to answer the research question.
References

Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Creswell, J.W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Denzin, N.K. and Lincoln, Y.S. (2018). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research. 5th ed.
Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Merriam, S.B. and Tisdell, E.J. (2016). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and
Implementation. 4th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Neuman, W.L. (2014). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. 7th
ed. Harlow: Pearson.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students. 8th
ed. Harlow: Pearson.

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