...Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods In Environmental Accounting Research Evangeline Elijido-Ten Faculty of Business and Enterprise, Swinburne University of Technology Address for correspondence: Faculty of Business and Enterprise Swinburne University of Technology John Street, Hawthorn Victoria, Australia 3122 Phone: +61 3 9214 4471 Fax: +61 3 9819 2117 E-mail: eelijidoten@swin.edu.au 1 Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods In Environmental Accounting Research Abstract Purpose: To explore how the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods can enhance a study on the environmental reporting decisions made by Malaysian companies using the emergent stakeholder theory. Methodology/approach: The paper provides an illustration of how the descriptive, exploratory and explanatory type of research is entrenched with the objectives of the research and how the combination of quantitative (statistical regression and weighting/mean ranking) and qualitative (archival analysis, qualitative interviews) methods may enhance accounting research not only from results that corroborate. Findings: The three-fold objective of this study, corresponding to its three phases, illustrates that combining qualitative and quantitative methods involves considerations at each phase of the investigation. The research design shows that when the researcher work with different types of data within the same project, the way data is used varies according...
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...Quantitative and Qualitative Quantitative and Qualitative Research The purpose of this paper is a comprehensive comparison of quantitative vs. qualitative research techniques for MBA 5210 Business Statistics. The paper will weigh the relative merits and demerits of each providing interpretation of the potential applications of qualitative and quantitative research to various fields of study as per the requirements of the paper. Qualitative and Quantitative Overview Researchers have long debated the relative merits quantitative vs. qualitative research techniques have to offer field researchers. It is important that one understand the implications of each in order to weigh the relative importance and relevance of each to the field. Qualitative and quantitative methods have a long history of providing researchers with information regarding specific events, phenomena and subjects. The primary difference between the two forms of investigation is the methods each employs to uncover the ‘reality’ behind a given situation. These separate realities are explored below. Benz & Newman (1998) suggest that qualitative and quantitative research methods align in a continuum. Qualitative research derives its foundation in naturalistic philosophy, whereas quantitative research focuses on positivistic philosophy (Benz & Newman, 1998). Qualitative research is more likely to adopt an individual phenomenological perspective, whereas quantitative approaches tend to emphasize...
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...Quantitative Research Critique: Responsibilities of Public School Nurses Grand Canyon University: NRS433V Quantitative Research Critique: Responsibilities of Public School Nurses Nursing has many roles, allowing for a diverse field to choose from upon graduation. One of those choices is the responsibility of a school nurse and consequently that of the entire population of the public school for which he/she works. School Nurses in New Jersey: A Quantitative Inquiry on Roles and Responsibilities by Cheryl A. Krause-Parello and Kimika Samms will show how those responsibilities have grown as it seeks to further previous research. Disease processes for children have grown more complicated; those children with chronic conditions are more likely to be in schools and that alone shows that nursing responsibilities in schools have changed (healthychildren.org, 2011). This study aims to expand upon the fact the roles and responsibilities of school nurses have increased and allow them a framework to discuss those roles and responsibilities (Krause-Parello & Kimika, 2010). Problem Statement The main issue contained within this study appears to be the increased number of chronically ill students and thus the increased roles and responsibilities of the school nurse (Krause-Parello & Kimika, 2010). Also, in the process of the study, the researchers noted that there were documentation issues making it difficult for the nurses. At least in the New Jersey area, they were...
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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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...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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...Méthodes quantitatives 1. Décrire les méthodes quantitatives. En quoi sont-elles complémentaires avec les méthodes quali ? Méthodes de recherches utilisant des outils d’analyse mathématiques et statistiques en vue de décrire, d’expliquer et prédire des phénomènes sous forme de variables mesurables (différentes des méthodes quali). Elles sont complémentaires avec les méthodes quali car pré-quanti (dégrossir le sujet) et/ou post-quanti (mieux interpréter les résultats). 2. Quelles sont les 4 types de variables statistiques ? Quanti discrète, quanti continue, quali nominale, quali ordinale 3. Qu’est-ce que fi ? Fréquence fi associée à une modalité i 4. Qu’est ce qu’un diagramme « en tuyaux d’orgue ? » ? A quelle type de variable est-il associé ? Les rectangles (tuyaux) ont pour base une modalité et comme hauteur l’effectif (la fréquence). Variable qualitative associée. 5. Qu’est-ce qu’un histogramme ? Quelle variable associée ? Représentation graphique d’une distribution statistique groupée en classe, où chaque classe est représentée par un rectangle. Variable quantitative associée. 6. Qu’est-ce qu’un diagramme cumulatif croissant ? Variables associées ? Représentation graphique de la distribution des fréquences cumulées. Variables quantitatives discrètes et continues associées. 7. Quelle est la notation de « la médiane pour une variable statistique Y » ? La notation est YM 8. Vous n’avez pas d’infos sur la distribution d’une...
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...glory of God to conseal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. " Qualitative research focuses on deeper issues and asked the questions of how, when and why people do things. Quantitative research behaves in a quantified since and assigns numerical values to responses and measure statics. With this said Proverbs, the bible verse, supports that research methods can be Godly. I interpret that verse as meaning that it is important to know and confirm in your mind that you know something, but it is better to research the topic in a biblical since rather thas a secular or worldly since. the glory of kings is researching and becomeing stronger on a topic. Pshycologists often study peoples behavior in how and why they do things. These psycologists can us Qualitative research to learn how to tell why people do the things they do. Statement 2 Romans 12:2 says,"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. In Quantitative research people study others behavior based on statics and numbers. Research methods can be ungodly because like the verse discribed, we are not suppost to conform to the patterns on this worl we live in. With quantitative reseach it is easy to follow the crowd and look at the statoics of what everyone else is going. The staticas give the answers to Peoples behaivio and that in my opinion is ungodly. What the...
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...Decision making is a process that a business selecting a logical choice from the available options. It is a tough process especially if the issue on hand is complicated and the significance of the outcome has major consequences to the stakeholders. When trying to make a good decision, a person must weight the positives and negatives of each option, and consider all the alternatives. For effective decision making, a person must be able to forecast the outcome of each 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...
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...Analysis and Implications of Qualitative Research Report Grand Canyon University NRS 433V: Introduction to Nursing Research February 27 2011 Critique of Qualitative Research Introduction Restraints are methods used in the medical field in an effort to restrict the movement of a patient in order to protect the safety of the patient, other patients, and caregivers. Since the onset of the use of restraints, this practice has been an ethical issue and topic for discussion. Further, it continues to be a concern in the health care industry because of the physical, emotional and psychological freedom involved. A study conducted by Hantikainen and Kappeli (2000) interviewed 20 skilled and untrained nursing staff from two nursing homes in a German speaking area in Switzerland. The authors concluded that there is no clear agreement on the definition of restraints and, as such, this lack of clarity translates to the nursing staff inconsistency and corresponding defensive behavior. Further, they felt the crucial component of establishing “restraint-free care” is nursing staff’s understanding of the impact of their personal perceptions of their thinking on their application of restraint policy. The intent of this qualitative research study was to discover nursing staff member’s perceptions on the use of restraints and how these insights affect their decisions at bedside (Hantikainen and Kappeli, 2000). This paper will review the above research article to critically...
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...Two persistent critiques of quantitative experimentalism are (a) the lack of isomorphism between its measures and "reality" and (b) its failure thus far to produce "truths" useful to educational practice. These critiques have long been commented on. As early as 1918, B. R. Buckingham wrote: We may labor ingeniously at our analyses of results and may bring from afar the most potent methods which statistical theory has evolved, but we shall accomplish little if our instruments are as grossly defective as some of those which are now being employed appear to be. (p. 132) Buckingham's concern continues to be echoed by contemporary researchers: If multiple independent anecdotes are to be trusted, the computers too often have been processing in stolid seriousness worthless data produced by children who were staging mass boycotts, or deliberately sabotaging the process or making jokes out of their answers. Anecdotes of similar scandals are available for questionnaires, attitude scales and interviews. (Campbell, 1978) Too often, then, the link between results and "reality" is assumed rather than systematically investigated. Consequently, the empirical bases of educational practice are too frequently half-truths and pure fictions. BASIC PROBLEMS We quite agree with the first critique, that quantitative concepts are not isomorphic with quantitative measures. As Bateson (1980, p. 133) noted, "I can, in a sense, see the dog discriminate, but I cannot possibly see his 'discrimination...
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...In this Discussion board I will discuss the differences between quantitative and qualitative research. You will be given the difference between a hypothesis and a null hypothesis, as well as the research method that uses the uses a hypothesis. I will explain the key elements needed to develop a well written set of hypotheses. You will be able to identify what I believe are the key elements of a well written set of hypotheses and research question. A definition of the term research question will be given. Do know the major differences between qualitative and quantitative research? After reading my post you will have a better understanding. Quantitative researchers seek to “explain the causes of changes in social facts, primarily through objective measurement and quantitative analysis” (Firestone, 1987, p. 16). Quantitative researchers use numbers to study the phenomenon or occurrence. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation based on theory to predict a casual relationship between variables (Course Materials, 2013). Whatever the hypothesis is predicting, the null hypothesis is proving the complete opposite. In my opinion a well-written hypothesis must contain key elements. First a hypothesis has to be developed. At development, research must be carried out. The research results will prove or disprove the hypothesis. However, to show that your data was not produced by random chance, the results of the hypothesis must be compared to the opposite of what is trying to be proved...
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...Qualitative Versus Quantitative Research Methods Martin Berkshire Indiana Tech Abstract This paper will discuss the varying thoughts of utilizing a qualitative approach to research versus a quantitative approach. It will look at scenarios from different aspects of the business world and compare the use of both approaches. Not all of the articles feel the same way about the research methods. Tauber (1987), is very clear on his take that qualitative research should be able to stand alone from quantitative research. While Carlson and Gold (2008), suggest that combining the two forms of research can lead to superior results. Qualitative Versus Quantitative Research Methods There are many types of definitions for the term Qualitative Data, according to Anderson, Sweeney, Williams (2008) “qualitative data is considered labels or names used to identify an attribute of each element.”(18) They go on to say that qualitative data can be either nonnumeric or numeric in nature and can use either the nominal or ordinal scale of measurement. The site BusinessDictionary.com defines qualitative data as “data that approximates or characterizes but does not measure the attributes, characteristics, properties, etc., of a thing or phenomenon. Qualitative data describes whereas quantitative data defines.” While the definitions of qualitative data vary, the definition of quantitative data remains fairly consistent. Quantitative data is defined as “numeric values that indicate...
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...Section III. Choice of Research Method: Quantitative, Qualitative or Mixed? The selection of data analysis techniques to deal with research questions or hypotheses and the techniques chosen for the data collection is informed and guided by what we call the research method. Hence, research method is a procedure, and also the analytical techniques to be chosen and the methods to be chosen will also be dictated by the choices of the methodologies made and by the theoretical framework (Sumner and Tribe, 2008). Research methods for knowledge claim and strategies is of three types: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. In quantitative method, a positivist claims is used as a tool for the researcher to investigate primarily for knowledge....
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...As mentioned above, while quantitative methods are good at answering these four types of questions, there are other types of question that are not well suited to quantitative methods: 1. The first situation where quantitative research will fail is when the problem needs to be analysed in depth. Quantitative research is good at providing information in breadth from a large number of units. But when it comes to exploration of a problem or concept in depth, quantitative methods are too shallow. To get really under the skin of a phenomenon, the best suited methods are, ethnographic methods, interviews, in-depth case studies and other qualitative techniques. 2. As stated earlier, quantitative research is well-suited for the testing of theories and hypotheses. What quantitative methods cannot do very well is to develop hypotheses and theories. The hypotheses to be tested may come from a review of the literature or theory, but can also be developed using exploratory qualitative research. 3. If issues to be studied are particularly complex, an in-depth qualitative study, like a case studyis more likely to pick up on this than a quantitative study. This is partly...
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...Qualitative vs. Quantitative Analysis When research is being conducted you must gather data. “Data are the facts and figures collected, analyzed, and summarized for presentation and interpretation” (Anderson, Sweeney & Williams, 2005, 5.) You must differentiate the type of data before you can analyze it. “There are basically two ways to go about an analysis, qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis” ("Difference between qualitative," 2011). “You can use both qualitative and quantitative reports to track the work performance of individuals, business units and your workforce as a whole” (Ciaran, John). Each type of data has its own advantages and many times analyzers use a combination of both types of data to make decisions. Qualitative and quantitative data are important to gather because they provide different outcomes. These are often used together when analyzing in order to get a full picture of a population. Qualitative data is either on the “nominal or ordinal scale of measurement and may be nonnumeric or numeric” (Anderson, Sweeney & Williams, 2005, 7.). This type of data focuses on interpreting raw data. This type of data is also known as “categorical” data. Qualitative data can be used to evaluate investments or other business opportunities. This type of data can also assist when it comes to decision making. Some believe qualitative analysis is “the foundation of a broad array of investment and financial decision-making methods” ("Qualitative analysis...
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