Introduction
Research can be defined as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. Research can also be viewed as a logical and systematic search of new information (Jackson, 2008). According to Tony Greenfield, research is an art aided by skills of inquiry, experimental design, data collection, measurement & analysis, interpretation and by presentation (Greenfield, 2002). According to Chilisa, research is systematic, the adoption of a strategy or a set of principles to study an issue of interest. The systematic strategy usually starts with the identification of an area of interest to study; a review of literature to develop further understanding of the issue to be investigated and a choice of research
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Quantitative research is essential in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior (Kothari, 2004). Quantitative research is based on the positivist philosophy. Positivism is an approach that holds that the scientific method is the only way to establish truth and objective reality (Chilisa, 2012, p. 26). Positivists’ ontological belief is that reality is objective and exists which can be measured and their epistemology is that all knowledge should be tested and give empirical evidence. Qualitative purists believe that social observations should be treated as entities in as much scientists treat physical phenomena and purists believe that social science inquiry should be objective. Goal of this particular type of research is empirical evidence and generalization thus knowledge is gathered or investigated through experiments, observations and surveys. According to these purists educational research should eliminate biases, remain emotionally detached and uninvolved with the objects of study and test or empirically justify their stated hypothesis and have a value free research (Onwuegbuzie, 2004). Science is vale free and values have no place except when choosing a topic according to this particular paradigm (Chilisa, 2012, p. …show more content…
These methods have worked and achieved their objectives by producing adequate educational research and have lead us to understand various phenomena. Limitations have lead scholars to critique the research but limitations have led to new research being discovered on that phenomena that was already researched on. Qualitative findings may be generalized in a different sense; they may be generalized to other settings or contexts or they may involve theoretical generalization, where findings are extrapolated in relation to their theoretical application (Ritchie, 2003). Qualitative research essential provides information on the application of program in a specific context to a specific population and empowers the community or scope of study generates participation however the quantitative research is on the other hand non-empowering because it provides information on the broad application of
Mack, N., Woodsong, C., MacQueen, K., Guest, G., & Namey, E. (2005). Qualitative research methods: A data collector’s field guide. Retrieved from http://www.fhi.org
Qualitative and quantitative methods allow researchers to investigate, explore and inquire the nature of the phenomenon being studied. It is important that the researcher develops a clear understanding of the problem and design a plan to investigate it (Cresswell, 1998, para. 1). There are a variety of research methods; nevertheless, it is important to consider which research method is appropriate for the study. Qualitative research focuses on human experiences while quantitative research relies on numbers, measurements, and testing. Nevertheless, qualitative and quantitative methods use similar approaches to conduct research and collect data. For example, observations and interviews are approaches used in both research designs; however, the approaches are used and viewed otherwise. This will be discussed later in the paper.
Research methodology, is an understanding of the different approaches used to conduct research. Within research methodology validity and reliability are important. The reason, researchers need to understand the methodology, before research is conducted is to ensure that they are using them correctly and ethically and also understand the key concept
According to Merriam-Webster, research is defined as careful study done to report new knowledge on a topic. ("Research | Definition of research by merriam-webster," n.d.). Success in the field of Guidance and Counseling is dependent on accurate information. Counselors well versed in pertinent research make a strong impact on the clients. Counselors using research as a guide for intervention have a better understanding of the clients why and also the how to serve the client best.
According to Smith (1983) quantitative research is to explain, predict and develop laws that can be universally applied and Qualitative research is the interpretation and understanding of what people give to their situation. The researchers clearly stated the purpose of their studies, aim, objectiv...
Sampling strategy and sample size is distinctly influenced by the research approach taken. This applies both to the overall research direction appropriate for a proposed study (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods) as well as to the technique applied to explore the phenomenon under investigation. Moreover, even though Ms. Lynn noted that quantitative and qualitative research methods exist on a continuum, where different methods reflect the amount of data and information available, literature and practice demonstrate significant differences in research strategy and sampling (Laureate Education, n.d.).
. . Qualitative approaches are particularly useful when the topic under investigation is complex, dilemmatic, novel or under researched and when there is a concern with understanding processes, not measuring outcomes (Smith and Dunworth, 2003, pp. 603–604)’’. This quotation in the article gives a broad summary of the strengths of qualitative research.
Quantitative methods in the social sciences are an effective tool for understanding patterns and variation in social data. They are the systematic, numeric collection and objective analysis of data that can be generalized to a larger population and seek to find cause in variance (Matthews and Ross 2010, p.141; Henn et al. 2009, p.134). These methods are often debated, but quantitative measurement is important to the social sciences because of the numeric evidence that can be used to drive more in depth qualitative research and to focus regional policy, to name a few (Johnston et al. 2014). Basic quantitative methods, such as descriptive and inferential statistics, are used regularly to identify and explain large social trends that can then
The father of quantitative analysis, Rene Descartes, thought that in order to know and understand something, you have to measure it (Kover, 2008). Quantitative research has two main types of sampling used, probabilistic and purposive. Probabilistic sampling is when there is equal chance of anyone within the studied population to be included. Purposive sampling is used when some benchmarks are used to replace the discrepancy among errors. The primary collection of data is from tests or standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and closed-ended observational protocols. The secondary means for data collection includes official documents. In this study, the data is analyzed to test one or more expressed hypotheses. Descriptive and inferential analyses are the two types of data analysis used and advance from descriptive to inferential. The next step in the process is data interpretation, and the goal is to give meaning to the results in regards to the hypothesis the theory was derived from. Data interpretation techniques used are generalization, theory-driven, and interpretation of theory (Gelo, Braakmann, Benetka, 2008). The discussion should bring together findings and put them into context of the framework, guiding the study (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). The discussion should include an interpretation of the results; descriptions of themes, trends, and relationships; meanings of the results, and the limitations of the study. In the conclusion, one wants to end the study by providing a synopsis and final comments. It should include a summary of findings, recommendations, and future research (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). Deductive reasoning is used in studies...
This essay is going to critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using surveys and questionnaires as a method of Socio-Legal research. When conducting socio-legal research, a number of methods can be used to collect useful information.
We believe it is clear that both qualitative and quantitative research have many benefits and many costs. In some situations the qualitative approach will be more appropriate; in other situations the quantitative approach will be more appropriate.
Qualitative and quantitative research methods take different approaches to gathering and analysing information. Whether it is a qualitative or quantitative study, the research study begins with a question or series of questions. Both use rigorously designed studies to get the most accurate, detailed and complete results. Qualitative studies common methods are interviews, surveys and observation. A qualitative study aims to provide a detailed description of the study results, often using pictures and written descriptions to describe what the research revealed. A qualitative study looks at the big picture, helping researchers to narrow in on points of interest that then can be followed up on in a quantitative study. While a quantitative study has a narrower focus, it attempts to provide a detailed explanation of the study focus, along with this using numbers and statistics. And the results from a quantitative study can reveal bigger questions that call for qualitative study. Or vice versa a qualitative study may reveal at analysis that a more focus and direct approach may be needed. With both methods analysis is a key part of any study whether qualitative or quantitative.
Quantitative research involves the collection and converting of data into numerical form to enable statistical calculations be made and conclusions drawn. It provides a measure of how people think, feel or behave and uses the statistical analysis to determine the results. However, this measurement results in numbers, or data, being collected, which is then analyzed by using quantitative research methods (Byrne, 2007).
Research is an attempt to know new things, facts, information etc. in a scientific manner. L.V Redman and A.V .H Mory have stated “systematised effort to gain knowledge we call re-search.” The main function of research is to collect new facts, information etc and to establish new theories on the basis of these facts.
Research which is also known as the search for knowledge is an art of scientific search for specific information. According to Clifford Woody, the research includes defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis and suggested solutions, collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusion and further testing whether the conclusion will fit into formulating hypothesis. Research Methodology is a scientific and systematic way of finding solution to a problem. In this research, researcher has studied various steps for research like problem along with the logic behind them. For this study, researcher must know various research techniques like mean, mode,