qualitative and quantitative research methods - 1823 Words

Psychological Research Methods: Exploring Qualitative and Quantitative Research In psychology, answers to our questions are not as succinct as in other types of sciences, and the findings essentially depend upon the underlying epistemology used. This essay seeks to define and examine the fields of qualitative and quantitative research. It will address the different epistemologies and methodologies of each paradigm, and aim to give you a brief overview of the two main research methods underlying scientific knowledge. Qualitative research is often only defined in contrast to Quantitative research; That is, it does not involve statistics, nor does it depend on the level of objectivity that characterises the†¦show more content†¦Ponterotto (2005) further states that the aim of quantitative research is the prediction, and control of variables that can be expressed as mathematical formulas to determine functional relationships. These differing ontological approaches bring to pass differing methodological approaches. Methodology refers to the processes and procedures of the research. Research methods used include observation, interviews, focus groups, surveys, case studies, questionnaires and analysis of text (Ponterotto, 2005, p.132). Observational research is non-experimental research where a researcher observes ongoing behaviour. It can be unstructured, semi-structured, structured, participant or non-participant (Wellington Szczerbinski, 2007, p.80). Some limitations to this type of research are language and cultural barriers as well as the risk of observer bias, with one of the advantages being that the researcher gains access to information they normally wouldn’t have. Observation is typically used in qualitative research, but can be used in quantitative research prior to designing questionnaires (Wellington Szczerbinski, 2007, p.80). As with observation, interviews and focus groups can be structured, semi-structured and unstructured, and can use photographs, notes, videos and tape recordings to improve data quality. Interviewing allows the researcher to guide andShow MoreRelatedQualitative Quantitative Research Methods1047 Words   |  5 PagesQualitative amp; Quantitative Research Methods PSY 326 Dr. Willow Aureala March 29, 2011 Qualitative amp; Quantitative Research Methods There are two types of research methods: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research methods are complex meaningful analyses characterized by processes and meanings that are not measured in terms of mathematical measurements. Quantitative research however, relies and builds on mathematical procedures and methods, such as frequency, quality, amountRead MoreQualitative And Quantitative Research Methods936 Words   |  4 PagesQualitative and quantitative research methods are two alternative applications for research methods. Both are very different in how data is collected, what data is collected, and how data is measured. Both of these research methods are utilized amongst the major areas of psychology and the social sciences. This paper will provide a brief description of qualitative and quantitative methods, provide the differences between the two approaches along with the terminology used for both; I will alsoRead MoreQualitative And Quantitative Research Methods1285 Wor ds   |  6 Pages Qualitative and Quantitative Research Ravi Teja Mora Dr. Jimi Peters Research Methods Stratford University â€Æ' Qualitative and Quantitative Research Introduction There has been a widespread of debate in recent years regarding the quantitative and qualitative research methods, wether one or the other has to be emerged as superior. Although there have been so many theories and conclusions, this paper intends to discuss on the similarities and differences between the qualitative and quantitative researchRead MoreQuantitative And Qualitative Research Methods Essay1218 Words   |  5 Pagesindividuals are confused about or not aware of the differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods. Some think those terms can be used interchangeably. Describe the key features (up to 5) that distinguish quantitative research from qualitative research. Provide examples to demonstrate your main points. Firstly, qualitative and quantitative research methods are used for different purposes. Quantitative methods try to explain and make predictions, confirm and validate an existingRead MoreQuantitative And Qualitative Research Methods Essay1850 Words   |  8 Pages3.2 Research Methods â€Å"Quantitative and Qualitative† were the two principal approaches in psychological research currently (Bavelas, 1998). Quantitative research is concerned with applying statistical approaches to test hypotheses. Statistical methods are to consider as the analysis of data, it normally concerned with â€Å"probabilistic model† as a background. (Sibson, 1999), the prominent characteristic of probabilistic model is as the analysis of data was collected, which is considered about â€Å"mean,Read MoreQuantitative And Qualitative Research Methods1694 Words   |  7 PagesIn this paper, I will outline quantitative and qualitative research methods and provide illustrations in the context of some social issues, which will hopefully offer insight into how each method is properly applied. Social issues around the world are very broad and diverse. They are usually made up of issues or concerns which directly or indirectly affect a person or a certain group of a society and are considered to be problems, controversies or both and are related to moral values, thereforeRead MoreQuantitative And Qualitative Research Methods871 Words   |  4 Pagessociology, researchers can use a different range of research methods to acquire new data. The various forms of research methods include surveys, ethnomethodology, experiments and documentary research. A common distinction is often made in sociology between quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative methods intend to measure social phenomena by using mathematical methods and statistical analysis. On the other hand, qualitative methods mean to collect rich, detailed data, allowing forRead MoreResearch On Quantitative And Qualitative Methods2146 Words   |  9 Pages Regina Merriweather 5/19/2016 Question #1- Research (Program Outcomes 3 and 5) Part A: Quantitative and qualitative methods differ from one another as to their research design elements as listed below: †¢ Research methods purposes; †¢ Types of sampling; †¢ Data collection procedures; †¢ Data analysis techniques; and †¢ Conclusions that can be drawn from data analysis. Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative methods on each of the elements listed. Please use scholarly, academicRead MoreQuantitative And Qualitative Methods Of Research Essay899 Words   |  4 Pages Quantitative versus qualitative (Lichtman, M. 2006) It is true that most of the management in the business world go for mixed methodologies in order to attain comprehensive and accurate findings of the research. Having said that there are pros and cons of both the methods that are taken into account by the management in order to achieve set goals and overcome hindrances in the business. Qualitative method of research is a speedy process that provides fresh and inventive results with in- depth analysisRead MoreQuantitative And Qualitative Research Methods1039 Words   |  5 PagesThis research project followed a multipronged approach combining both quantitative and qualitative research methods. After addressing the sample size and exclusions, the second section of Part I examines the strengths and shortcomings of the qualitative research methods, including the interviews and the on-site observations of fresh evidence matters. Finally, I hope to demonstrate why it was necessary to turn to the source of the case la w to mine the raw data to sustain my working hypotheses.