Practical Research | Research in Daily Life | Handout No.

Unit 1. Nature of Inquiry and Introduction Research

Different Research Approaches and their Characteristics

From the past discussion quantitative research can be differentiated from qualitative
research by (1) its deductive orientation, (2) its positivist approach to dealing with
knowledge, and (3) its objectivist regard to reality. These are the significant features of
quantitative research. However, it has specific characteristics making it special from other
research approaches.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

These are the specific characteristics of quantitative research:

(a) Objective
-Quantitative Research processes are done using accurate techniques, methods, or ways
that enhance the objectivity of the research results. Objectivity starts from identifying the
sample size, collecting responses from the research respondents, and analyzing and
interpreting the data.

(b) Clearly defined research questions

- Creating research questions in quantitative research follows a ‘deductive’ process of
narrowing down a broad topic into a specific question. Through this, researchers can
frame questions clearly.
-Research questions are purposely designed to be answerable using accurate and fixed
data-gathering instruments.

(c) Large Sample Sizes

- Quantitative research requires large sample sizes to ensure the reliability of the results.
- This research approach usually requires a probability sampling technique in selecting
the sample from the specified population. This type of (1) sampling gives all elements in
the population an equal chance to be part of the sample and (2) makes sure that the
population is properly represented to reduce biases in the research result.

(d) Structured Research Instruments Used for Data Collection

- Unlike qualitative research, data gathering instruments are structured in a way that they
only contain close-ended questions where responses are translated into numerical
figures. In this way, gathered data could be calculated and interpreted using accurate
statistical analysis. A commonly used research instrument in quantitative research is a
survey questionnaire.

(e) Measurable
- All responses in quantitative research are expressed numerically, organized using
charts, tables, and figures, and interpreted or analyzed using statistical analysis tools.

(f) Replicable
- In quantitative research, researchers are allowed to replicate research methodology and
data-gathering instruments used in previous studies. Replicated data-gathering
instruments are called Standardized Tools.

Strengths of Quantitative Research Approach

 Opportunity to collect data from a larger sample and generalize the result to a
larger population.
 Helps researchers to attain reliable, valid, accurate, and objective results.
 Allows replication of data-gathering instruments and methods.
 Reduces biases.
 Time efficient

Limitations of Quantitative Research Approach

 It lacks contextual details.

 The close-ended or structured questions limit the information gathered.
 Context and other information that provides a richer understanding of observed
trends and patterns can get lost in the measurement and macro-examination of
the data.
 Inability to measure some aspects of people such as human behavior, interactions,
and experiences.
 Errors in the measurement or modeling or the omission of data can easily lead to
misinterpretation of the results.

When to conduct Quantitative Research?

A researcher may conduct quantitative research if they aim to:

(1) describe a variable;

(2) establish a relationship between variables; and
(3) explain the causal relationship between variables.
Qualitative Research

Definition | Qualitative Research is a vast and complex area of methodology that

concerns itself analyzing how people interpret their experience and the world in which
they live. It is commonly the approach of choice in research where a researcher aims to
(1) generate new constructs and theories, (2) develop detailed stories to describe a
phenomenon, (3) achieve deeper understanding of issues, and (4) improve the quality of
quantitative measures (Trochim, Donnelly, & Arora 2016).

Characteristics of Qualitative Research

(a) High regard for context rather than the population

Qualitative research takes a holistic approach in the sense that it considers the whole
context, but not the whole population. Qualitative research cannot be conducted on an
entire population. Therefore, the ‘generalization’ of qualitative research is possible
not to the entire population but to one person or a group of the entire population
(i.e. a sub-group of the whole population).

(b) Sensitivity to context

Researchers recognize that individuals’ behaviors, meanings, and experiences are
shaped by specific social, cultural, and historical contexts in which they live in. As
contexts are diverse, individuals living in varying contexts experience a phenomenon in
diverse ways and they interpret the meaning of their experiences in diverse ways.

(c) Develop hypotheses rather than test hypotheses

Qualitative research does not begin with a preconceived hypothesis. Instead, creating a
hypothesis is the final goal of qualitative research. In the process, inductive reasoning is
frequently used in qualitative research. Researchers gather data and build theories or
models based on emergent patterns and themes that emerge throughout the
investigation, as opposed to beginning with predefined beliefs or hypotheses.

(d) Flexible and adaptable

Qualitative research often starts with a broad research question and works with a flexible
research design. Researchers may have a general idea of the topics they want to explore
but allow for modifications and adjustments as they delve deeper into the subject. This
flexibility enables them to adapt to the evolving nature of their findings. In this
sense, qualitative research allows emergent design where the study’s direction and
focus evolve as new insights and patterns emerge from the data.

(e) Rich and Descriptive Data

Detailed descriptions (i.e., detailed descriptive data) allow researchers to understand the
context in which participants’ experiences unfold. This contextual information is
essential for making sense of the meaning individuals attribute to their
experiences. Moreover, rich data enable researchers to capture the nuances and
subtleties inherent in human experiences.
(f) Transferability of Data
Although qualitative research does not seek generalizability in the same way as
quantitative research, the rich and descriptive data of qualitative research may
enhance the transferability of findings. This means that readers can assess (transfer)
the relevance of the study’s findings to other contexts. In other words, the findings of
qualitative research are not generalizable to a whole population but transferable to similar
contexts.

(g) Data Saturation marks the end of data collection

Data Saturation is a point in data collection when new information no longer brings
fresh insights to the research questions. Achieving data saturation is important
because it ensures that researchers have thoroughly explored the topic under
investigation. When saturation is reached, it suggests that the researchers have gathered
a sufficiently rich and diverse set of data, and further new data (information) are not
yielding. At this point, the researchers can be more confident in drawing conclusions
and developing theories based on the comprehensive understanding derived from
the collected data.

(h) Utilization of Triangulation Method

Triangulation is a research strategy that involves using multiple approaches, data
sources, methods, theories, or researchers to examine the same research question.
Triangulation strategy aims at enhancing the credibility, dependability,
confirmability and transferability of the findings by cross-verifying information
from different sources or perspectives. For example, a researcher might use
interviews, observations, and documents to gain a comprehensive understanding of a
particular issue. Methodological triangulation involves using multiple research methods
to investigate the same phenomenon.

(i) Emphasis on researcher-participant relationship

The researcher-participant relationship is recognized as a fundamental aspect of
qualitative research. According to Guillemin and Heggen [69], qualitative research relies
heavily on establishing strong interpersonal connections between the researcher and the
participant. By this, qualitative research emphasizes the importance of establishing
a positive and trusting connection between the researcher and those participating
in the study. This relationship goes beyond a mere transactional interaction and involves
building a rapport that encourages participants to share their experiences openly and
honestly.
References

Ghanad, A. (2023). An overview of quantitative research methods. International journal of

multidisciplinary research and analysis, 6(8).

May-os R. (2023). Lesson 1: Introduction of Quantitative Research. Retrieved from:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370552226_LESSON_1_Introduction_of_Qua
ntitative_Research.

Torneo A. & Clamor-Torneo H. (2017). An Introduction to Quantitative Research: Practical

Research 2. Sibs Publishing House, Inc.

Alam, M. S., & Asmawi, A. (2024, May). Qualitative research: Defining features and
guiding principles. In Forum for Education Studies (Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 1262-1262).