¶ … Mixed Methods
Benefits and challenges of Qualitative, Quantitative and mixed methods approaches to research
Benefits and Challenges of Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approach to Research
In any type of research, it is possible to characterize a research's study methodology as qualitative, quantitative, or one that involves the two methods, in which case it becomes a mixed method approach. Moreover, the term research design is popular in research, but it takes varied meanings in various studies. For instance, the term might refer to the entire research process in a given study, whereas in another study, it may refer to the applied methodology (Mary, Hanne and Frank, 2011). It is crucial for one to recognize a study's research design because the design communicates information, which is relevant to the study, and can vary for qualitative (Pop and Mays, 2000), quantitative and mixed methods. In addition, a key element, which is common across the research designs, is that one or more points, during the research process, there is collection of data in form of numbers, words, gestures, in various ways and for varied objectives (Giddings, 2006). Therefore, qualitative studies are studies, which gather and evaluate qualitative data. On the other hand, quantitative studies are studies that gather and evaluate quantitative data.
Qualitative Methods
Qualitative research methods aim at offering an understanding of the experiences, views, and thoughts of participants. In simple terms, this approach explores meaning, aim or reality. In other terms, qualitative research comprises of a set of interpretive and material practices, which make the globe visible to the observer. These practices transform the globe into representations, interviews, and photographs. Owing to this, it is apparent that qualitative researchers study things in their natural environment, and attempt to explain the phenomena using meanings given to them by people (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005, p. 3).
In addition, investigators describe qualitative research as one that allows a detailed exploration of a research problem in which the collected information by the investigator is by case studies, ethnographic work, or interviews. Moreover, qualitative research techniques are inductive, in the sense that an investigator may develop theories or hypotheses, explanations in the information given by a participant. Most importantly, there are several categorizations of research designs in qualitative research, but there is none, which investigators agree for using in a universal context. In addition, Creswell...
Quantitative research uses survey, and questionnaires to collect data. Through quantitative analysis, a researcher is able to correlate mass data to the research findings. Despite the benefits identified in both quantitative and qualitative research, the paper identifies some shortcomings in both research methods. To address these shortcomings, the paper proposes mixed methods that involve combining both quantitative and qualitative research. References Bryman, A. (1984). The Debate about Quantitative and Qualitative Research:
Generally, research may be quantitative or qualitative. Nonetheless, the usage of the two methods at the same time is common -- the mixed methods approach. Indeed, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches overcomes the limitations inherent in each approach, resulting in a better understanding of the research problem (Creswell & Clark, 2011). This paper identifies the major components of mixed methods research design and the strengths and weaknesses of the
Although more time consuming and costly, mixed-methods research can also be more fruitful than either qualitative or quantitative methods alone. Mixed methods combine qualitative and quantitative in ways that are suitable for answering a complex set of research questions. Because the researcher can use more than one research design in the same study, mixed methods can “answer a broader range of research questions,” (Center for Innovation for Research and Teaching,
Fielding, N. (2010). Mixed Methods Research. International Journal of Social Research, 13 (2), 127 -- 138. In the field of criminal justice and security management, there are a wide variety of techniques used to understand the best approaches for interacting with stakeholders. Fielding (2010) determined that the mixed method approach is the most effective. This is because it is examining different aspects of the problem and conducting a separate study to
EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION Education Administration: Strengths and Limitations of Quantitative and Mixed Method ApproachesThe strengths of the quantitative approach include:�� The use of numbers and statistics make the research appropriate to use as the statistical tests to help in straightforward analysis (Devault, 2020)� Replication could be easily done based on an experimental design; testing and checking become convenient.�� Research with the involvement of statistics gives it a valuable image. It can
Vision to Address the Challenges facing Higher Education in Saudi Arabia in the light of Leadership and Excellence Approach Research Significance It is generally agreed that higher education is the main tool to solve leadership and human resources problems. Unfortunately, mass production of graduates from Saudi higher education fails to meet the required specializations and quality of private sectors. Many Saudi graduates lack the practical knowledge that can assist them meeting
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