...Qualitative enquiry adopts an exploratory orientation whereas quantitative enquiry is usually designed to find relationships among variables. How does this difference in research orientation affect the data collection and data analysis methods used for the two types of educational enquiry? Illustrate your answer with examples. Distinctive features of much qualitative research are: • ‘It tends to adopt an exploratory orientation in research design.’ (Study Guide, p. 75) Research problem is not well-defined when data are being collected. Thus, research data tend to be unstructured. • Neither numerical data nor statistical analysis is central to the data analysis. ‘Instead, the aim is to document the character of perspectives and activities of the people in the study, and/or how they employ various discourses – why these discourses take the form that they do, and perhaps also what the implications or consequences are. (Study Guide, p. 76) Thus, the choice of approach will be influenced by theoretical ideas and the methodological philosophies. The first of these orientations is strongly influenced by interpretivism. This orientation may promote the use of relatively unstructured interviews where interviewees feel relaxed and able to reveal their genuine perspectives. The second orientation ‘is concerned with finding out what actually happens in a situation as against what people say happens – what people actually do rather than what they say they do.’...
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...you get the same results? No, when the experiment was replicated (better controlled) many of the errors in peoples recalling was not found even though the same kinds of errors remained. Validity: Methodological issues * Did not ask participants to be as accurate as possible * Didn’t care much about the environment in which the experiment was conducted Define qualitative and quantitative research, then compare and contrast them, strengths and limitations of qualitative research Quantitative: Explaining a phenomenon by collecting quantitative (numerical) data that are analysed using mathematically based methods such as statistics. Qualitative: Instead of testing, measuring, and experimenting, qualitative research aims at understanding the subject of study …the process of understanding a social or human phenomenon, based on methodological research traditions. Researchers aim at generating a complex, holistic view, at analysing and describing the standpoint of the subjects within a natural context. Quantitative; using numbers Qualitative; descriptions Strengths of Qualitative Research * Issues can be examined in detail and in depth. * Interviews are not restricted to specific questions and can be guided/redirected by the researcher in real time. * The research framework and direction can be quickly revised as new information emerges. * The data based on human experience that...
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...Samantha Roberts Student Number: Word count: 1,289 There has been an ongoing paradigm debate between quantitative and qualitative research amongst social scientists for a number of years. Qualitative Research is a particularly new concept developed to obtain and analyse data however many researchers are yet to take a liking to this concept (Bryman, 1984). Qualitative research refers to studies that are conducted in natural settings and include participant observation, focus groups and in-depth interviews. (Whitley & Crawford, 2005). These techniques provide a strong insight into how participants view events and experiences to obtain a deeper meaning into the area being studied (Willig, 2001). Quantitative research focuses on the Scientific Method which is based on a series of steps that are followed systematically to acquire data such as experiments that are then analysed and presented into numerical form. This essay will examine both research paradigms while also determining the epistemological underpinnings that determines the methods used to collect and analyse data. Qualitative researchers are mainly concerned with the social world and the influence of events and experiences that has on an individual’s perspective of the world. These researchers are not concerned with answering a specific question, more so to develop a rich understanding of a certain topic mainly through the methods of in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus groups. In-depth interviews...
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...rationale for qualitative research Qualitative strategies Types of qualitative methods 1 Qualitative sampling Quality control Week 3 2 Inductive view of relationship between theory and research o theories and concepts emerge from the data Emphasis on words/text rather than numbers Systematic exploration of social phenomenon Description and analysis of social situations A “holistic” understanding Flexible and iterative research method Exploring a problem Identifying perceptions of a problem Identifying relevant interventions Investigating feasibility, acceptability & appropriateness of solutions Developing suitable information, education & communication Complementing quantitative data by helping to interpret it Designing more valid survey instruments 3 4 Qualitative techniques not based on numbers Accrual of large amounts of information about a few cases (people, organisations, facilities, programmes, locations) Data used: when the focus of the research is on meaning and feelings (although these can also be studied quantitatively) when working inductively when the researcher accepts that the concepts, terms and issues must be defined by the subjects and not by the researcher in advance when interaction between members of a group is of interest. Research problem Concept Concept Concept 5 Inductively developed theory 6 1 4/02/2015 “Qualitative researchers...
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...Beginning the research for the topic many different variables had to be established in order to facilitate the research process for the complex topic. In determining which approach would be appropriate for the method of research a qualitative approach was selected. The reason for the choice of qualitative is that of the social dynamic of the topic and the evaluation of the groups in terms of social relationships would only benefit from a qualitative approach. The dependent variable that was determined to be analyzed was relationship maintained between these two groups. The reason being is there are many similarities in their actions but their ideology and drivers are vastly different with the cartels being driven by financial gains and terror groups being driven by ideology. The independent variables that were found were ideology that was found in the groups and the business nature seen in the groups. The research that was conducted for the most part was determined by the topic and the question being asked. In the question being sought to explain, the determination between the two groups is being defined as well as the ability for the two to elicit a working relationship with one another. The case studies that were reviewed and information that was discovered in terms of the question...
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...D1 – Qualitative and quantitative What is qualitative? Qualitative is represented as judgment quality of something for example colour and appearance. When checking the quality of something you don’t need to measure and weight of it, so numbers are not required to identify the substances. What is quantitative? Quantitative is checking the quantity of something such as the weight, mass and area to ensure to ensure accuracy of that specific substance. By doing this you would know the exact amount/ weight of the substance or equipment that you are using. Titration: The titration that we carried out was both qualitative and quantitative. For example when we made the standard solution for the titration we used the exact quantity of the substance and we mixed it with the exact amount of deionised water (250ml) and when we were doing the calculation to get the concentration of the standard solution we made sure to use weight of the equipment that we used. When we were caring out the titration we added indicator in the base so that the solution would turn into different colour and when we add the acid into it we would be able to tell when the end point comes because the colour will change. Qualitative and quantitative comparison: I think that quantitative technique is more important than qualitative for titration because if the measurements for titration and standard solution are not accurate and precise then then it can affect all of our result and conclusion can be completely...
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...Qualitative and Quantitative Abstract Quantitative and qualitative research designs have many different points that lead them down different paths to achieve results. In this paper an argument will be presented to show a few of the differences among these designs. First the goal of investigation for both qualitative and quantitative research will be explained to give understanding of what the researcher hopes to find out. Then the data collection will be analyzed and compared to show the difference in results. Finally the focus the research of both designs will explain why they are effective and their downfalls in certain situations. Introduction Qualitative and qualitative research designs are respectably different in comparison along with the type of results found. Although qualitative research is rooted in the social sciences it is “research conducted in a natural setting that seeks to understand a complex human behavior by developing a complete narrative description of that behavior” (Davis & Smith, 2010, pp.50). Quantitative research on the other hand “is to determine the relationship between one thing (an independent variable) and another (a dependent or outcome variable) in a population” (Hopkins, W. G, 2008, pp.1). This paper will analyze the goal of the investigation, data collection, and focus of research on both qualitative and quantitative designs. These three issues concerning both research designs will be defined, compared...
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...obtained are broadly classified into two categories; Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research. The purpose of this paper is to translate my course learning into a reflective question paper on the topic of Qualitative Research. This paper will also seek to describe a research project where qualitative research would be most appropriate, discuss key challenges in collecting and evaluating qualitative data, recommend actions for addressing the challenges identified for each of the three qualitative methodologies, and discuss whether mixing qualitative and quantitative methods would result in better research for your particular learning community. Qualitative Research Qualitative research, also called naturalistic inquiry, developed within the social and human sciences, and refers to theories on interpretation (hermeneutics) and human experience (phenomenology). They include various strategies for systematic collection, organization and interpretation of textual material obtained while talking with people or through observation. The aim of such research is to investigate the meaning of social phenomena as experienced by the people themselves." (Malterud, 2001, p. 398). It is important to understand that qualitative research is not a single type of social inquiry. It surfaces from a number of different research traditions or disciplines. Qualitative research developed in the social and human sciences...
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...Qualitative Study of Reasons for (Non) Participation in Physical Recreation Griffith University Gold Coast Campus Introduction The objective of this qualitative study is to investigate and compare the responses of both single men and women who do not participate in physical recreation. The first part of this report will primarily focus on a brief review of research material gathered in relation to the objective of this study. Secondly this report will give a short description of the research method used to gather the data for the quantitative research and thirdly it will discuss and describe the major reason for the non-participation in physical recreation of single men and women. There will also be a focus on the on the issue and the comparison between the genders with the hope to find the reasoning between the two genders, as well as to determine if possible that one gender exercises more than the other and thirdly the report will discuss and describe the major reason for the non-participation in physical recreation of single men and women. This research will also centre on three (3) primary questions in order to determine the difference between single men and women and how physical and recreational activities impact or do not impact on their everyday work and lifestyles. The questions will also be used within the interview process between the two genders, to again determine the findings and come to a conclusion. Findings will come from: Is motivation or...
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...In: Other Topics Qualitative Research Study Running head: Qualitative Research Study Qualitative Research Study Grand Canyon University NRS433V 5/30/10 Qualitative Research Study Introduction The qualitative research study that I chose to critique is on infections related to Nursing home-acquired pneumonia. Pneumonia care and the nursing home: a qualitative descriptive study of resident and family member perspectives. Soo Chan Carusone,1 Mark Loeb,1,2 and Lynne Lohfeld1,3 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada2Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Canada 3Program for Educational Research and Development, McMaster University, Canada Corresponding author. Soo Chan Carusone: chansy@mcmaster.ca; Mark Loeb: loebm@mcmaster.ca; Lynne Lohfeld: lohfeld@mcmaster.ca Received September 19, 2005; Accepted January 23, 2006. Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lung parenchyma, build up fluid in the tissue of the lungs and then this infection spread in to whole body. The causes are mainly by Viruses, Bacteria, often caused by parasites or fungi. Pneumonia is the 5th leading cause of death in elderly. It may be unrecognized due to many factors such as it may be asymptomatic, or may be confused with other medical Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections occur frequently among older adults residing in long-term care facilities...
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...Both qualitative and quantitative methods of user research play important roles in research. Data from quantitative research—such as market size, demographics, and user preferences—provides important information for business decisions. Qualitative research provides valuable data for use in the design of a product—including data about user needs, behavior patterns, and use cases. Each of these approaches has strengths and weaknesses, and each can benefit from our combining them with one another. This month, we’ll take a look at these two approaches to user research and discuss how and when to apply them. Quantitative studies provide data that can be expressed in numbers—thus, their name. Because the data is in a numeric form, we can apply statistical tests in making statements about the data. These include descriptive statistics like the mean, median. Data from qualitative studies describes the qualities or characteristics of something. You cannot easily reduce these descriptions to numbers—as you can the findings from quantitative research; though you can achieve this through an encoding process. Qualitative research studies can provide you with details about human behavior, emotion, and personality characteristics that quantitative studies cannot match. Qualitative data includes information about user behaviors, needs, desires, routines, use cases, and a variety of other information that is essential in designing a product that will actually fit into a user’s life. These...
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...Qualitative Method Introduction Organizations are human systems. As such, each member of the system brings to bear the full range of psychological and emotional behavior while also applying themselves to their work which is highly prescriptive and presumably rational. Because of this, human systems experience high levels of inefficiency as emotions, personality, and unconscious impulses interfere with the objectivity and logical processes at work. This study emphasizes on understanding how real estate agents performance is influenced by their emotional behavior or psychological range. The things that realtors consider rewarding to them are likely a reflection or connection of their emotional behavior. Bossidy and Charan (2002) pointed out...
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...A Critique of a Qualitative Research Article: Andropause Syndrome in Men Treated for Metastatic Prostate Cancer By Grand Canyon University NRS-433V Purpose of the Study Many people understand that women go through Menopause; it is not uncommon to hear a lady friend or a stranger say “there goes another hot flash” and then fan herself with whatever happens to be within reach. What many might be unfamiliar with is Andropause, or the equivalent of male Menopause. Andropause Syndrome in Men Treated for Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Symptoms (Grunfeld, Halliday, Martin, Drudge-Coates, 2011) , is a research article that talks about 21 men and their experience while undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. It is noted during this research that the participants experienced many different and debilitating symptoms. By exploring the feelings and symptoms of the men, it is the hope of the researchers that a positive impact can be made by professionals if they are more assertive in talking with patient’s about the effects of ADT treatment. When done, this can enable the patient to seek help with the side-effects whether it be medicinal, mechanical, or psychological (Grunfield, Halliday, Martin, Drudge-Coates, 2011). Literature Review Background. In this research article, 41 references were used with the majority of them being from other journal articles. This study takes place in the United...
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...Chapter 2: QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS If the focus of your study is the examination of documents, than you should have access to such material which may include letters, memos, notes, diaries, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, films, articles, books, manuscripts, e-mails, online discussions and so forth. In general documents are any preserved recording of a person’s thoughts, actions or creations (Potter, 1996). The examination of documents is especially important to historians who investigate patterns and trends from the past. Documents may be examined to investigate patterns and trends of the past as is commonly done by historians. If no humans remain alive to provide primary evidence, then documents are the in only source of data (Potter, 1996). Documents are also examined by researchers who are investigating subjects who are available. The examination of documents may also provide confirmatory evidence of the information obtained from interviews and observations. For example, Bodroghkozy (1985) examined 42 letters written to her from viewers on their reaction to the TV series “Dallas”. Imagine that you want to find out what goes on in the teachers’ lounge or staff room. You could interview those involved, or maybe even send out a questionnaire. Using the interview or the questionnaire, you would be getting what people thought about what was going on. Sometimes, the best way to gain a ‘rich picture’ of a setting such as the staff room, the school canteen...
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...option as well, and based on all these items, determine which option is the best for that particular situation. When analyzing a decision making of a business from an investment perspective it is important to assess it from both quantitative and qualitative information. Quantitative information refers to information that is can measure in number. It can be expressed in numerical terms including financial and non-financial information. The financial information is relating to monetary receipts and expenditures. For example, revenue, expenses, profit margins, taxes and so on. In the other hand, non-financial information means that the performance that is not expressed in monetary units, such as number of units produced, measurement of time required to make products, number of employees, number of quality return and etc. Non-financial performance measures are sometimes considered to be leading indicators of future financial performance, while current financial performance measures such as earnings or return on assets are commonly considered to be trailing measures of performance. Qualitative information refers to information that can't actually be measured, it relevant to a decision that cannot be expressed in numerical. Qualitative information is non-numerical information based on the quality of an item or object. It pertains to the description of something using our sense of sight, smell, taste,...
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