Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Social science sometimes debates differences between quantitative and qualitative. On one side, positivists argue quantitative research is objective and measurable where post-positivists argue qualitative analysis allows for a rich understanding of the situation. Although qualitative and quantitative research differ in the techniques, types of data and ethical concerns, they both have their place in psychology. Let us begin by exploring the realm of quantitative research and then move on to qualitative research.
Quantitative research is research that uses numerical measures to evaluate the world. Often, this approach is used by positivists who believe in objective measures to predict the world. This epistemology says research can and should focus only on what can be observed and measured. Following is a discussion of features of quantitative research including techniques, types of data and possible ethical concerns.
There are multiple techniques used to collect quantitative data, but all techniques will ultimately make data numerical. Commonly, quantitative data attempts to collect data via surveys and questionnaires. A researcher might ask participants a series of questions in which subjects respond on a Likert-type scale. This relies on self-assessment. It is also possible for a researcher to observe a situation, either natural or in the laboratory, and code the responses by responding to a Likert-type scale. The same technique can be accomplished in an interview. In either case, observations will translate to numbers that can then be assessed for statistics such as the average, the reliability and validity.
In a study designed to analyze the investment model, the researcher used role play to manipulate a situation (Rusbult, 1980). The researcher was interested in investigating the investment model as possibly applicable to romantic relationships. As manipulating a person's actual romantic relationship is unethical, the researcher instructed participants to read a scenario and to imagine themselves as the protagonist in the scenario. The participant then responded to items on a Likert-type scale answering questions in response to what s/he would do in that situation. This is an example of a technique available to a researcher wishing to...
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Mixed Method Qualitative, quantitative, mixed methodologies Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodology research Quantitative methodologies tend to be data-driven in nature. The presumption of the correct 'way of knowing' in quantitative research is positivistic in nature. It is assumed there is an objective, concrete truth that can be learned through empirical observation and the careful construction of an experiment. Quantitative methods of research often use the scientific method or quasi-scientific methods of study
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Spotlighting Samplings 4 Qualitative Research Research Choices 6 the Phenomenology Method The Ethnography Method DEPTH Four Qualitative Approach Comparison Strengths and Critiques of Case Studies "A research design indicates the full research process from conceptualization of the research problem, generation of data, analysis and interpretation of findings, and dissemination of results" (Magilvy & Thomas, 2009, What and Why… Section, ¶ 4). The Question of Interest What type of research design should the researcher use? To answer the study's critical research
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