Comparing and Contrasting Qualitative and Quantitative Social Research Methodology
INTRODUCTION
Social research is conducted using a logical and systematic process that can be carried out for numerous reasons and it is concerned with the empirical study of social phenomena. The purpose of conducting such research is to enhance knowledge of how the social world operates through the study of human behaviour and investigates how humans interact with others in society. Research in general, is usually conducted by adopting either a qualitative or quantitative approach (Henn et al, 2006). The approaches taken and the decisions that are made by qualitative and quantitative researchers differ with respect to their epistemological position and ontological assumptions and these assumptions orientate the research strategies in a direction that will be most appropriate in developing their research methodologies (Bryman, 2004).
This assignment will identify and describe how the different methodologies are decided for qualitative and quantitative research studies and how the methodological decisions are influenced by the researcher’s philosophical views of the world. Reference will be made to the contrasting paradigms, epistemologies, the ontological perspectives and the philosophical views that both qualitative and quantitative researchers use as the foundations for conducting their research. This assignment will then move on to outline the strengths and weaknesses that can be present within the different methodologies used when designing a research project. Finally, the assignment will place emphasis on, and consider the implications that can arise from ethical issues within social research practices and will discuss ways in which to minimise ethical situations arising in qualitative and quantitative research. This assignment will conclude with a brief overview and discussion on the range of different methodologies used and will specify if one approach is takes precedence over the other.
Qualitative and quantitative approaches to research
Before a
Social research is conducted using a logical and systematic process that can be carried out for numerous reasons and it is concerned with the empirical study of social phenomena. The purpose of conducting such research is to enhance knowledge of how the social world operates through the study of human behaviour and investigates how humans interact with others in society. Research in general, is usually conducted by adopting either a qualitative or quantitative approach (Henn et al, 2006). The approaches taken and the decisions that are made by qualitative and quantitative researchers differ with respect to their epistemological position and ontological assumptions and these assumptions orientate the research strategies in a direction that will be most appropriate in developing their research methodologies (Bryman, 2004).
This assignment will identify and describe how the different methodologies are decided for qualitative and quantitative research studies and how the methodological decisions are influenced by the researcher’s philosophical views of the world. Reference will be made to the contrasting paradigms, epistemologies, the ontological perspectives and the philosophical views that both qualitative and quantitative researchers use as the foundations for conducting their research. This assignment will then move on to outline the strengths and weaknesses that can be present within the different methodologies used when designing a research project. Finally, the assignment will place emphasis on, and consider the implications that can arise from ethical issues within social research practices and will discuss ways in which to minimise ethical situations arising in qualitative and quantitative research. This assignment will conclude with a brief overview and discussion on the range of different methodologies used and will specify if one approach is takes precedence over the other.
Qualitative and quantitative approaches to research
Before a
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