Quantitative And Qualitative Research Techniques And Procedures Psychology Essay

valued And soft Research Techniques And Procedures Psychology EssayThe terminus look into is usually implementd interchangeably with investigate, strike, explore examine and comprise inquiries of a specific topic. In general terms, look for dope be defined as the puckering of info, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge. The Princeton University wordnetweb published both(prenominal) interesting definitions of enquiry includingAttempt to find out in a systematically and scientific mannerSystematic probe to establish facts submit into or a search for knowledgeIn the scientific and academician terms however, the common theatrical role of the team tends to refer to the definition of query in a scientific context where it is occasiond to mean acting a orderical correction in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific question. This scientific accord and application of interrogation assumes a enquiry mucklele which involves manipulation of the variables in general with exceptional of process that economic consumption case studies and pure empirical comprehension for which this generalization does not unceasingly hold true.Research methods ar technique(s) for gathering information (Harding, 1986) and be generally dichotomized into be either duodecimal or soft. It has been argued that methodology has been gendered (Oakley, 1998), with three-figure methods traditionally being associated with words much(prenominal) as positivism, scientific, objectivity, statistics and masculinity. In contrast, qualitative methods withdraw generally been associated with beive, non-scientific, guinea pigivity and femininity.C. R. Kothari categories look into methods into three main types depending on purpose, atomic number 18a of focalisation and research t ane-beginningi. Depending on its purpose, research is said to be exploratory research which is likewise divided into two subtypes of descriptive and analytical research . This type of research is purposed to and incorporated to identify modernistic problems or affinitys betwixt phenomena. Thus, it is aimed at describing the state of affairs as it inhabits and it is usually done through survey to tick new facts which ar canvas to find new connectionsii. Based on the focus and the result of the research process, we do find the Constructive research as well as known as applied research. This type of research is used to demote solutions to practical problem at hand. In this same category, there is observational research through which researchers tests the feasibility of a solution using discoered data third. Based on the admission, research can also be categorized as qualitative or numeric. This categorization is based on the research methods used. The choice between the two is based on the properties of the subject matter and or the mark of the research. (C. R. Kothari 2004). Those two atomic number 18 the most ordinarily used categor isations and form the main schools of panorama in research. Although they ar ordinarily used to reduceher in complex research processes, the merits of one of over the other hotly debated especially in the arena of social science research.Due to the scope and space limitation, I do not specialise to cover the entire field of scientific research. The reminder of this paper draw a blank alone therefore focus on the examination of these two methods in iii above Looking their key characteristics, date collection and psychoanalysis methods, and identifying the various(prenominal) advantages and disadvantages, validity train and the discussing the contemporary usefulness on the two methods in the research process. denary Research Techniques and Procedures soft analysis is a process that is oftentimes the precursor to denary, statistical work a process to gather the tacit underpinnings of an issue explicit a process you can use to deepen your intellectual of complex social and human factors that cannot be unsounded with numbers a process that helps you figure out what to count and what to posting (Kerlin, 1999, p. 1).Some of the common methods of carrying out vicenary research are surveys and observations. Surveys are commonly carried out either the respondent or the researcher fill in questionnaires. musical composition observational research involves the research watching or observing various behaviors and patterns. Mary other distinguishable kinds of quantitative research methods are used besides the surveys and observations. More complicated forms of quantitative research are experimental research or mathematical modelling research (Peter J.P. Donnelly J.H, 2000).In the social sciences, quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships. The process will involve the development and use of the send issueent mathematical models, theories and/or hypotheses p ertaining to phenomena to measure empirical observation and mathematical tone that evidence the quantitative relationships.Although this research approach is commonly used in the social sciences such as psychology, sociology and anthropology, quantitative research mathematical sciences such as physics is also quantitative by definition, though this use of the term differs in context. In the social sciences, the term relates to empirical methods, originating in both philosophical positivism and the history of statistics, which contrast qualitative research methods. (http//en.wikipedia.org)One of the key characteristic of quantitative research is that it Involves analysis of data like numerical date, word, pictures and objects. (Miles Huberman (1994)Qualitative Research Techniques and ProceduresQualitative research is a generic term for investigative methodologies described as ethnographic, naturalistic, anthropological, field, or role player observer research. It emphasizes the i mportance of looking at variables in the natural compass in which they are found. Interaction between variables is important. Detailed data is poised through open ended questions that provide direct quotations. The audienceer is an integral differentiate of the investigation (Jacob, 1988). This differs from quantitative research which attempts to gather data by objective methods to provide information about relations, comparisons, and predictions and attempts to remove the investigator from the investigation (Smith, 1983). agree to Andrew (2007), qualitative research is a method of inquiry appropriated in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. The qualitative method investigates the why and how of decision making, not full what, where, when. Hence, smaller but focussed sa mples are more often extremityed, rather than large samples.According to Andrew (2007), qualitative research is used to denote approaches which are supported by a set of hypotheses concerning the way the social founding functions. It deduces many of its basic principles from the thought that there are fundamental differences between the science of human humanity and science of natural world and consequently needs to use typical methods. Here, attention is focused upon looking at the world through the look of studied objects and upon evolving concepts and theories which are grounded in the collecting data. So, qualitative research connected with own accounts of the individuals of their attitudes and behavior. The significance of qualitative research consists in setting tense on describing, understanding complex phenomena. It investigates, for instance, the relationships and patterns among factors or the context in which the act happens. It is concentrated on understanding the full many-dimensional picture of the subject of investigation.Qualitative methods produce information only on the occurrence cases studied, and any more general conclusions are only hypotheses (informative guesses). Qualitative research is aimed at intensify our understanding about phenomenon, and will usually involve going beyond surface analysis of numbers and the statistics to the deeper meaning behind story being told by the numbers. It aims to gives the reasons and establishes causal relationships.It is often contrasted to quantitative research which focuses on the quantitative elements of phenomena. In practice however, the two methods are often used together to get to the bigger picture.Face-to-Face Interviews and reduce GroupsThe most common forms of qualitative research are face-to-face interviews and focus groups. Face-to-face interviews are just that Meeting someone in person and discussing various issues. The informant or person you are interviewing whitethorn be an expert in a particular field (e.g. the editor of a newspaper) or they may be someone who is affected by the issues you are researching (e.g. someone who is HIV arbitrary or who reads the media).Focus groups involve discussions with two or more participants. While questions for focus groups need to be prepared to guide and focus the discussions, the receipts are often free-ranging, as the participants are encouraged to explore the issues at hand in an in-depth way.While focus groups and interviews will help you develop explanations for quantitative data, sometimes they can provide you with quantitative data themselvesBasic Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative Research TechniquesQuantitative and qualitative research methods differ primarily intheir analytical objectivesthe types of questions they posethe types of data collection instruments they usethe forms of data they producethe degree of flexibility built into study innovationThe key difference between quantita tive and qualitative methods is their flexibility. Generally, quantitative methods are fairly inflexible. With quantitative methods such as surveys and questionnaires, for example, researchers ask all participants equal questions in the same order. The response categories from which participants may choose are closed-ended or fixed. The advantage of this inflexibility is that it suffers for meaningful comparison of responses across participants and study turn ups. However, it requires a thorough understanding of the important questions to ask, the best way to ask them, and the throw up of potential responses.Qualitative methods are typically more flexible that is, they release greater spontaneity and adaptation of the interaction between the researcher and the study participant. For example, qualitative methods ask mostly open-ended questions that are not needfully worded in exactly the same way with severally participant. With open-ended questions, participants are free to r espond in their own words, and these responses tend to be more complex than simply yes or no.In addition, with qualitative methods, the relationship between the researcher and the participant is often less formal than in quantitative research. Participants confuse the opportunity to respond more elaborately and in greater detail than is typically the case with quantitative methods. In turn, researchers have the opportunity to respond immediately to what participants say by tailoring later(prenominal) questions to information the participant has provided. Merriam (1988) provided a basis for differentiating qualitative and quantitative research techniques based on their characteristics.Characteristics of Qualitative and Quantitative ResearchPoint of ComparisonsQualitative ResearchQuantitative ResearchFocus of researchQuality (nature, essence) amount (how much, how many)Philosophical rootsPhenomenology, symbolic interactionPositivism, logical empiricismAssociated phrasesFieldwork, et hnographic, naturalistic, grounded, inwroughtExperimental, empirical, statisticalGoal of investigationUnderstanding, description, disco genuinely, hypothesis generatingPrediction, control, description, confirmation, hypothesis testing role characteristicsFlexible, evolving, emergentPredetermined, structuredSettingNatural, familiarUnfamiliar, artificialSampleSmall, non-random, hypotheticalLarge, random, representativeData collectionResearcher as primary instrument, interviews, observations breathless instruments (scales, tests, surveys, questionnaires, computers)Mode of analysisInductive (by researcher)Deductive (by statistical methods)FindingsComprehensive, holistic, expansivePrecise, narrow, reductionistHowever, there is a range of flexibility among methods used in both quantitative and qualitative research and that flexibility is not an indication of how scientifically rigorous a method is. Rather, the degree of flexibility reflects the kind of understanding of the problem that is being pursued using the method.Merits of Quantitative analytic thinkingThe use of surveys permit a researcher to study more variables at one time than is typically possible in laboratory or field experiments, whilst data can be collected about real world environments.The usefulness of a survey is that the information you get is standardized because each respondent the person who fills out the questionnaire is answering the exact same questions. in one case you have enough responses to your questionnaire, you can then put the data together and analyze it in a way that answers your research question or what it is you want to know.Since case studies follow a structured format, different situations can be compared or analyzed comparatively. guinea pig studies are typically scant(p) (often no more than 5 pages long) and usually only contain the intrinsic information needed to present a situation and, if necessary, to describe and correctly analyze a problem.Quantitative data c an determine when students have achieved or failed a task, and they can provide national ranking, percentiles, and allow researchers to assume comparison analyses. Nevertheless, they cannot provide the total picture of why a particular student has either succeeded or failed (Burnaford et al., 2001 Gall et al., 1996 and Mc Bride Schostak, 2000).In quantitative research, the researcher neither participates in nor influences what isbeing studied thus, he/she examines the destiny objectively. In some qualitative research, the researcher may play a more subjective role and participate by being immersed in his/her research. That is, the observer may be the teacher or the facilitator. This role is often the case with when action research, case studies, and focus groups are used in educational research.Advantages of surveysGood for comparative analysis. lot get lots of data in a relatively short space of time.Can be cost-effective (if you use the Internet, for example).Can take less time for respondents to peg (compared to an interview or focus group)Specific concrete exampleCan help with problem solvingAre often interesting to read.Demerits of Quantitative AnalysisA key weakness of quantitative analysis is that it is very difficult to realise insights relating to the causes of or processes involved in the phenomena measured. There are, in addition, several sources of bias such as the possibly self-selecting nature of respondents, the height in time when the survey is conducted and in the researcher him/herself through the design of the survey itself.It could be argued that the quantitative researcher is more precise, but theresponse would be that with raft it is not possible to be so precise,people change and the social situation is too complex for numericaldescription. Quantitative research has a tendency to clarify whereclarification is not appropriate. (Mc Bride Schostak, 2000, pp. 1-2)Disadvantages of SurveysResponses may not be specific.Questions may be mi sinterpreted.May not get as many responses as you need.Dont get full story.Can take time to developDepending on format, may need some level of good writing skillsDo not usually give patient of overview of issue at hand.Merits of Qualitative TechniquesThe approaches of the qualitative research differ from the methods of the quantitative research. Quantitative methods have their aim in dividing into clearly defined parts, or variables. When we research an issue which we know how to quantify, for example, what can be quantified for sure, we may leave out the factors which are crucial to the real understanding of the phenomena under study (Andrew, 2007).Qualitative methods are helpful not only in good-looking rich explanations of complex phenomena, but in creating or evolving theories or conceptual bases, and in proposing hypotheses to clarify the phenomena. Besides, value of the qualitative research consists in validity of the information received people are minutely interviewed so a s the obtained data would be taken as correct and believable reports of their opinions and experiences. Its study disadvantage is that small group of interviewed individuals can not be taken as representative (Andrew, 2007).Case studies involve an attempt to describe relationships that exist in reality, very often in a single organization. Case studies may be positivist or interpretivist in nature, depending on the approach of the researcher, the data collected and the analytical techniques employed. Reality can be captured in greater detail by an observer-researcher, with the analysis of more variables than is typically possible in experimental and survey research.Another type of qualitative analysis is site visits. situation visits help you understand your research better site visits (e.g. when you visit an organization, a manufacturing plant, a clinic or a housing project) are very useful and sometimes even necessary ways of gaining supernumerary insight and making your theor etical information concrete in your mind. They allow you to observe what is going on, and to ask questions you may not have thought about.Qualitative research has a phenomenological focus that can provide an enriched and dilate description of the participants actions and/or viewpoints (Veronesi, 1997).Advantages of Face-to-Face InterviewsCan allow for in-depth knowledge sacramental manductionHelps to develop the bigger pictureHelps with analysis of resultsGood for networking (e.g. you may be referred to other people to interview).Advantages of Focus GroupsGood for community participation (grassroots input)helpful in developing ideas and sharing latent, or hidden, knowledge spontaneouslyEnables you to get information from a number of individuals simultaneously.Advantages of Site Visits and ObservationDemerits of Qualitative AnalysisCase studies can be considered weak as they are typically restricted to a single organization and it is difficult to generalize findings since it is fle shy to find similar cases with similar data that can be analyzed in a statistically meaningful way.Disadvantages of Face-to-Face InterviewsCan be time consumingMay be difficult to arrange an interview timeCan be difficult to compare and analyze information.Disadvantages of Focus GroupsCan be difficult to set upParticipants may need to be paidNeed to be sensitive to who the facilitator isMay need a translatorSometimes difficult to organize and analyze information.Disadvantages of Site Visits and ObservationTake timeCan be expensive (depending how farthest you need to travel)With observation in particular, you need to be careful how you interpret what you see. With site visits, you may want to make sure you have a guide so that you can ask questionsHowever, the disadvantage of the quantitative as well as qualitative research is that they do not always underpin understanding of multi-dimensional pictures (Andrew, 2007).