A choice between using qualitative or quantitative methods

  1. A way of conducting research that is not grounded in theory
  2. The choice between using qualitative and quantitative methods
  3. The study in which you present research findings
  4. A framework for every stage of collection and analysis of data

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : A framework for every stage of collection and analysis of data

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Research design: It is a framework of methods, tools, and techniques selected by a researcher. "A research design provides a framework for the collection and analysis of data"- this statement is true because

  • A clear understanding of fundamental research philosophy, which is very important,  means the proper choice of methods to be used.
  • A perfect research design can highlight these choices.
  • This could be a preplan of other decisions about the elements considered to be more important than others
  • It is a hypothesis about causality and predictability.
  • A good research design considers as a blueprint for the research you propose to conduct.

​Qualitative Research Design:

  • Grounded Theory Studies,
  • Case studies
  • Historical studies
  • Action research studies
  • Phenomenological studies
  • Ethnographic studies

Grounded theory: 

  • Grounded theory can be applied mainly in qualitative research studies.
  • The aim is to construct a theory from systematically obtained data and analyzed using the comparative method. 
  • The choice of quantitative and qualitative methods is a part of the research design and it determines based on the type of research.
  • The study to represent research findings is like graphs, charts, etc. 

A choice between using qualitative or quantitative methods
Key Points

The choice of methods to be used is, indeed, very important, as is an understanding of your fundamental research philosophy. But a research design will highlight these choices and other decisions about which elements are considered to be more important than others, as well as your hypotheses about causality and predictability. 

Therefore, "A research design provides a framework for the collection and analysis of data".

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Deciding between a quantitative design and a qualitative design for your study

Choosing whether you will carry out a quantitative or a qualitative research project is one of the questions that many early career researchers (ECRs) struggle with the most. Both approaches have their own benefits and challenges, so it is vital to give full consideration to the choice between each design. This article will help you to work out which approach you should use for your project. But first, let’s take a look at the difference between the two approaches.

Quantitative design vs. qualitative design

Quantitative research collects numerical data, such as reaction time, rating scales and temperature. Therefore, quantitative design is used more in STEM disciplines.

Qualitative research focuses on people’s experiences. This type of research focuses primarily on collecting non-numerical data by using people-centred methods (such as conducting interviews or surveys, or other forms of data gathering involving direct participant observation), and then studying these data to form an impression of the trends or patterns contained in it. Therefore, qualitative design is used more in SSAH disciplines.

Note: There is also mixed-methods design, which combines elements of both quantitative design and qualitative design. Therefore, it is likely to be used in interdisciplinary projects. However, this warrants a separate discussion and is not covered here.

Now that we’ve seen the essential differences, let’s explore how you should decide between the two types of design.

1. Determine the nature of the data you are seeking

Based on the above knowledge, you should ask yourself this simple but most important question:

Would the question you are trying to answer be best addressed with numbers or through people sharing their experiences or opinions with you?

Once you are clear about the type of data you wish to obtain, there are some other considerations.

2. Consider the kind of supervision you will receive

As an ECR, it is important that you have the support of an experienced researcher to help you to execute and complete your project. So as you are planning your research design, you should also consider what supervision is available to you. It could be extremely difficult to complete a quantitative project if the only guidance you will be receiving is from a supervisor or principal investigator (PI) whose research interests are mainly qualitative.

Also, it is a good idea to have discussions as early on as possible with your supervisor and/or PI. Discussing the different approaches that you are considering can be helpful for narrowing down your available options. 

3. Consider the needs and circumstances of your participants

Also consider the needs and particular circumstances of your intended participants. If you are working with a group of people who would find traditional experiments more difficult to complete, it might be better to conduct informal interviews with them, to enable them to share their experiences in a way that would work better for them. Alternatively, some groups may find it much easier to fill in some questionnaires or respond to stimuli than to have long discussions about the issue(s) you are studying. 

In conclusion

By considering these different points, you will be able to make an informed decision as to what kind of approach will be the best fit for your project. Remember that different questions will need different approaches. So, as you’re planning your research design, it’s always a good idea to consider the same questions from different perspectives.

Read next (second) in series: How to design a quantitative research study

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Why would you choose quantitative research?

The purpose of quantitative research is to attain greater knowledge and understanding of the social world. Researchers use quantitative methods to observe situations or events that affect people. Quantitative research produces objective data that can be clearly communicated through statistics and numbers.

What is easier quantitative or qualitative?

In general, quantitative studies are easier to conduct, but require more participants than qualitative studies. Specifically, data collection in quantitative studies tend to require less time commitment from participants, and the data analysis can be conducted relatively quickly.

Why is qualitative research better?

Qualitative research is very important in educational research as it addresses the “how” and “why” research questions and enables deeper understanding of experiences, phenomena, and context. Qualitative research allows you to ask questions that cannot be easily put into numbers to understand human experience.

Why is it important to use qualitative or quantitative descriptors in scientific research?

Simply put, quantitative data gets you the numbers to prove the broad general points of your research. Qualitative data brings you the details and the depth to understand their full implications. To get the best results from these methods in your surveys, it's important that you understand the differences between them.