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Research Assignment 3 CD

This document provides a comparative analysis of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research approaches, highlighting their foundational philosophies, data collection methods, and analysis techniques. Qualitative research focuses on understanding human behavior through subjective experiences, quantitative research emphasizes objective measurement and generalizability, while mixed methods combine both to provide a comprehensive understanding. The choice of research approach should align with the research question and objectives to enhance the credibility and applicability of findings.

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14 views4 pages

Research Assignment 3 CD

This document provides a comparative analysis of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research approaches, highlighting their foundational philosophies, data collection methods, and analysis techniques. Qualitative research focuses on understanding human behavior through subjective experiences, quantitative research emphasizes objective measurement and generalizability, while mixed methods combine both to provide a comprehensive understanding. The choice of research approach should align with the research question and objectives to enhance the credibility and applicability of findings.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Exploring the Differences among Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Research

Approaches

By:

Agness Minofu: 23010100128


Boaz Selemani: 24010100247
Collins Kamadzi: 23010100194
Grace Chitete: 23010100177
Grace Njere: 23010100176
Joyce Ntepa: 23010100364
Patience Jackson: 23010100154
Prince Kaliza: 23010100195
Rebecca Nkhata: 24010100135
Rhema Ng’ambi: 22010100399

Submitted to:
Mr. Legson Mughogho

In partial fulfillment of the requirements of:


Research Methods for Social Sciences

Course code: REM3013

Assignment: 3

Malawi Assemblies of God University


(MAGU)

Due Date: 20 April 2025


Research is a systematic and purposeful endeavor aimed at investigating questions,
analyzing evidence, and drawing conclusions that contribute to the development of
knowledge (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). In both academic and practical contexts,
research methodologies are typically classified into three primary paradigms: qualitative,
quantitative, and mixed methods. These paradigms differ in their foundational
philosophies, data collection approaches, and analysis techniques. Qualitative research is
rooted in interpretivism, quantitative research derives from positivism, and mixed
methods are based on pragmatism (Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, 2019). This essay
provides a comparative analysis of these three approaches, employing examples to
illustrate their distinct characteristics and practical applications.

Firstly, qualitative research primarily focuses on exploring the depth and intricacies of
human behavior and social phenomena. Rooted in interpretivism and constructivist
traditions, it contends that reality is subjective and can be best understood through
individuals' lived experiences (Denzin & Lincoln, 2018). This approach employs a range
of methods, including interviews, focus groups, narrative analysis, and ethnography. The
data gathered is non-numerical and is analyzed to identify themes and meanings. For
instance, Conway et al. (2025) conducted semi-structured interviews with parents to gain
insights into their infant feeding choices, revealing complex emotional and cultural
influences. Similarly, a study by Tan et al. (2025) utilized qualitative methods to examine
caregiver feedback on dementia care interventions. While qualitative research offers rich,
detailed insights, it may lack generalizability and can be influenced by the researcher's
subjectivity (Flick, 2018).

Secondly, quantitative research is grounded in the positivist paradigm, which posits that
reality can be objectively measured and analyzed through numerical data (Muijs, 2021).
Researchers in this field prioritize establishing relationships, testing hypotheses, and
making generalizable inferences. Common methodologies include surveys, experiments,
and statistical modeling. For instance, Setiaasih et al. (2025) conducted a structured
survey across health centers in Indonesia to assess readiness for primary health care
delivery, with findings analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.
Similarly, Conway et al. (2025) employed quantitative tools to evaluate response patterns
among different demographic groups. While quantitative research is known for its
precision and replicability, it may fall short of capturing the depth and context of human
behavior (Bryman, 2016).

Mixed methods research effectively combines qualitative and quantitative strategies


within a single study, leveraging the strengths of both approaches. This methodology is
rooted in the pragmatic paradigm, which prioritizes utility and the specific research
question over adherence to strict methodological conventions (Creswell & Plano Clark,
2018). It proves particularly valuable in complex studies that necessitate both numerical
trends and contextual insights. A notable example is the work of Areia et al. (2025), who
employed surveys to quantify citation use patterns and conducted follow-up interviews to
understand the reasons behind the trustworthiness of certain sources. Mixed methods
research designs include the explanatory sequential approach, which starts with
quantitative data followed by qualitative insights, and the convergent parallel design,
where both types of data are collected simultaneously. While this methodology is robust,
it demands significant time and expertise (Johnson et al., 2007).

In conclusion, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research differ in their


philosophical foundations, methodologies, and research objectives. Qualitative research
delves into the nuances of human behavior, quantitative research reveals measurable
patterns and mixed methods offer a comprehensive and triangulated understanding. The
choice of approach should be guided by the research question, the study's objectives, and
the nature of the data required. A well-informed methodological selection enhances the
credibility, depth, and applicability of research findings.
References

Areia, C., Burton, K., Taylor, M., & Watkinson, C. (2025). Research citations building
trust in Wikipedia: Results from a survey of published authors. PLOS ONE.
Retrieved from
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0320334
accessed on 17 April 2025.

Conway, R. E., Derks, I., Sheen, F., & Steptoe, A. (2025). The impact on parents' infant
feeding choices of increasing age guidance and adding sugar warning labels to
commercial infant foods: A mixed methods study. Contemporary Developments
in Health. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299125029038 Accessed
on 17 April 2025.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods
research (3rd ed.). Sage.

Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007). Toward a definition of


mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 112–133.
Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689806298224 accessed on 18 April
2025.

Muijs, D. (2021). Doing quantitative research in education with SPSS (3rd ed.). Sage.

Setiaasih, R., Sunjaya, D. K., et al. (2025). Readiness of health posts for primary health
care integration in Indonesia: A mixed-methods study. BMC Public Health.
Retrieved from
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-025-22520-x
accessed on 18 April 2025.

Tan, J. R. O., Neal, D. P., Vilmen, M., & Boersma, P. (2025). A digital photo activity
intervention for nursing home residents with dementia and their carers: Mixed
methods process evaluation. JMIR Formative Research. Retrieved from
https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e56586 Accessed on 18 April 2025.

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