Statistics, which even applied to qualitative data necessarily quantifies results, is almost as frequently used as all other measurement techniques. It is entirely possible to conducts research without relying on statistics, but they almost always can be utilized either in developing a background understanding of the issue or as comparison features within the research itself (Qual 2009). Statistics can come from external sources or be generated by the research study itself, but either way they form an essential part of many research projects. Their tendency to generalize results is both their strength and weakness, and could account for their slightly lower use (Qual 2009).
So far, the research tools listed have all been external; things found somewhere other than the researcher him or herself. The human mind -- the thinking unit of the researcher -- is of course utilized regardless of the research project (or basic activity of daily life), but it is still valid to suggest that the brain is not as frequently used as a research tool as other tools. Though correlations and conclusions might be theorized by the mind, external empirical evidence is generally required before they are widely accepted and jump from theory to practice (Aggleton 1985; Qual 2009). Similarly, a facility with language can be convincing and useful in conducting and expressing the results of research, but is not an...
Facility of language and the reasoning abilities of the human mind will likely be unnecessary in the face of abundant statistical analysis. A comparison of test scores and other quantitative data will lead to rather straightforward quantitative comparisons that can be correlated to existing research in the area (Qual 2009). Qualitative analysis will also be brought to bear on the issue as factors outside quantitative performance are analyzed, but this will not require undue interpretation, either (Aggleton 1985).
The various research tools described above could all be utilized in almost any given research project. For the research question at and, fairly straightforward comparison techniques are all that are really required, however.
References
Aggleton, P. (1985). "Nursing research, nursing theory and the nursing process." Journal of advanced nursing 11(2), pp. 197-202.
Leedy, P. & Ormrod, J. (2008). Practical research: Practice and design. New York: Pearson.
Niaz, M. (2008). "Qualitative methodology and its pitfalls in educational research." Qual quant 43, pp. 535-51.
Qual Page. (2009). Resources for qualitative research. Accessed 18…
