Quantitative Research in General

Definition

Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts.[1] Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. The qualitative method investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where, when. Hence, smaller but focused samples are more often needed than large samples.
In the conventional view, qualitative methods produce information only on the particular cases studied, and any more general conclusions are only propositions (informed assertions). Quantitative methods can then be used to seek empirical support for such research hypotheses.
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Why do we use qualitative research?

Research is a seeking process which result is generalized in order to explain for variety phenomenon. To do research, the researchers have to determine first what ‘source’ where they can collect the appropriate information.
Qualitative research is an approach that is conducted to describe and analyze the characteristics of culture and human behavior from the perspective of researchers.
Qualitative research provides comprehensive information about the characteristics of the social environment where research was conducted. Social life is seen as a sequence of events closely with each other which should be described fully to reflect real life actions.
Qualitative research is based on a flexible strategic research and dialectic which allows detection of important topics that researchers can’t cover before. In qualitative research, a number of research questions and methods of gathering information are prepared in advance, but they can be adjusted when new information appears in the collection process. It is one of the fundamental difference between qualitative research and quantitative research.
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The origins of qualitative research methods

The research method was developed and first used in the study of anthropological research, a social sciences. Anthropologists go to the public communities in which they want to study and live there for a long time to observe people and find out the causes of human’s behavior. To obtain in-depth information, the Anthropologists often use techniques such as unstructured interviews, historical collection life, group discussions and case studies. Initially, these techniques were developed proving to collect the information described, non-quantitative. Today, the techniques are used widely not only in the scope of anthropology but also in many sectors, many different areas.
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Comparison between quantitative research and qualitative research

Qualitative | Quantitative | The aim is a complete, detailed description. | The aim is to classify features, count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed. | Researcher may only know roughly in advance what he/she is looking for. | Researcher knows clearly in advance what he/she is looking for. | Recommended during earlier phases of research projects. | Recommended during latter phases of research projects. | The design emerges as the study unfolds. | All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected. | Researcher is the data gathering instrument. | Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or equipment to collect numerical data. | Data is in the form of words, pictures or objects. | Data is in the form of numbers and statistics. | Subjective - individuals� interpretation of events is important ,e.g., uses participant observation, in-depth interviews etc. | Objective � seeks precise measurement & analysis of target concepts, e.g., uses surveys, questionnaires etc. | Qualitative data is more 'rich', time consuming, and less able to be generalized. | Quantitative data is more efficient, able to test hypotheses, but may miss contextual detail. | Researcher tends to become subjectively immersed in the subject matter. | Researcher tends to remain objectively separated from the subject matter. | (the two quotes are from Miles & Huberman (1994, p. 40). Qualitative Data Analysis) Main Points * Qualitative research involves analysis of data such as words (e.g., from interviews), pictures (e.g., video), or objects (e.g., an artifact). * Quantitative research involves analysis of numerical data.-------------------------------------------------
Strength and Weakness of Quantitative ResearchStrengthQuanlitative research is effective when it is used to study the behaviors and attitudes of human over time. It allows the depth of understanding in the final result.Quanlitative is also quite flexible. We can modify and redesign the research anytime, anywhere and as often as we want. Very little preparation is needed.Finally, quanlitative research can be inexpensive since some of the methods of qualitative research doesn’t require expensive equipment or outstanding research staff. The research can be easily taken by one researcher with nothing more than a notebook and a pen.Weakness of Qualitative ResearchQuanlitative research is not appropriate for large research with statistical descriptions. The result of quanlitative research can be unreliable since you can get different result everytime the research is conducted. And since quanlitative research rely on the researcher, it is very important that the researcher have to be fair and square. They need to keep their personal feeling, opinions or bias of the research result to obtain a realistic result.source : http://www.wilderdom.com/research/QualitativeVersusQuantitativeResearch.htmlhttp://tapchi.saodo.edu.vn/index.php/news/Nghien-cuu-Trao-doi/Hai-phuong-phap-thiet-ke-nghien-cuu-trong-khoa-hoc-54.htmlhttp://sociology.about.com/od/Research/a/Overview-Of-Qualitative-Research-Methods.htm |