Qualitative and quantitative research use different tools for gathering data and tend to approach the data differently (Experiment Resources, 2012). Each research method has advantages and disadvantages in their use. Qualitative data is used mainly as a tool early on in information gathering to reduce the burden on quantitative studies. Qualitative research’s goal is to provide detail and understanding of data. Quantitative research is usually used after qualitative data has been gathered and uses that information to construct its own research gathering techniques.
Difference between qualitative and quantitative research In psychology there are mainly two types of research methods, they are qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods focus on difference in quality while quantitative focus on the difference in quantity. Quantitative studies focus on numbers and have results based on statistics whereas in qualitative methods the results are in words rather than numbers. In quantitative researches a large number of people need to be involved. This is because it gives the analysis a more statistical power.
Scientific reasoning is the process, which provides evidence for scientific theory. Induction is common throughout scientific reasoning since scientists’ use inductive reasoning whenever a limited data is used to form more general conclusions (Okasha, 2002). Induction is used to decide whether claims about the world are justified. Inductive reasoning is prevalent throughout science since it is common to have a sample size that does not include all of the possible test subjects needed for the study. This leaves the possibility that one of the test subjects not included in the sample could prove the conclusion to be incorrect.
The Qualitative and Quantitative Design Qualitative research can be done for multiple purposes, however, these might be condensed to fit the National Research Council’s categories of producing descriptive or procedural knowledge; that is, answering questions about “what is happening?” and “why or how it is happening?” (Shavelson & Towne, 2002, p. 99). Descriptive data from qualitative studies helps to gain an understanding of individuals with disabilities, their families, and mentors. Qualitative designs can identify certain training, knowledge effects, and have an impact on people with disabilities, their families, at work or at school. Quantitative studies involves gathering and analyzing numerical data and qualitative analyzes words. Quantitative studies involves logical reasoning or making specific predictions from sources and testing theories.
ADEDOYIN ADEOLA (SMC 00113746) Data Collection is key to research study and the type of research methods to be used in collecting relevant data determines the success of any research. Prasad (1993: 1404) suggests that symbolic interaction “rests on the assumption that every organizational situation is likely to be filled with multiple and frequently conflicting interpretations and meanings”. This encourages the use of multiple research methods to capture complexity and contradictions in the data. Accuracy and integrity of research data collection methods is the precursor for error-free research irrespective of methods either quantitative or qualitative data. Quality and validity of data are also vital issue developed during data collection.
Extraneous Variables are undesirable variables that influence the relationship between the variables that an experimenter is examining. They exist in all studies and can affect the measurement of study variables and the relationships among these variables. Because of this, they are of primary concern in quantitative studies because they can interfere with obtaining a clear understanding of the relational or causal dynamics within these studies (Burns & Grove, 2011). Another way to think of it is they are variables that could possibly influence the outcome of an experiment, though they are not the variables of actually of interest. A major goal in research design is to decrease or control the influence of extraneous variables as much as possible.
What is it about theories in the natural and human science that make them convincing? A theory is a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain an idea or occurrence. In the fields of natural and human science, there are many theories that have been declared by experts, in order to explain random occurrences and patterns. Any expert can publish a theory on a specific concept, but in order for that theory to be accepted by society first. This is where the convincing element of a thesis and theory should be very persuasive and eminent.
A Paper Presented to Dr. Nyugen In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Education by Student: Helena N. Gray May 24, 2010 Qualitative & Quantitative Research Qualitative Research This paper describes qualitative research and contrasts it with quantitative research. Because qualitative and quantitative methods involve differing strengths and weaknesses, they constitute alternative, but not mutually exclusive, strategies for research. (Patton, 1990, p. 14). According to Gay et al, as cited in Mertler & Charles (p. 192), qualitative research involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, largely narrative and visual in nature, in order to gain insights into a particular phenomenon of interest. Qualitative research is defined as any kind of research that produces findings that do not arrive by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification (Strauss & Corbin, 1990, p. 17).
This can include the culture in which an individual lived or was educated in as well as people or organisations they interact with. The topic of Morawska (2011) article is whether the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program is acceptable to Parents from Culturally Diverse Backgrounds, it explores whether families with a culturally diverse background benefit from this programme and just how well does it aid the families who have kids with behaviour problems and does it retain the family harmony. “We examined the cultural acceptability of program materials, preferences for delivery methods, and barriers to use of the Triple PPositive Parenting Program.” Morawska et al (2011) The triple p-positive parenting programme is a parenting and family support system which had been designed to prevent behavioural or emotional problems within children as well help treat any existing issues in this matter. The aim of the programme is stop any problems that can occur in the family or school before they actually take place, it is there to help create and support family environments that encourage a child to recognize their full potential. It’s a multilevel system family intervention that provides five levels for increasing
These constant changes are the result of ideologies of great scientists and philosophers who have contributed their very particular perspective, bringing these claims to a set of different points of view in which specific criteria are spelled out. This paper is intended to highlight the contributions that each of these characters proposed in order to establish, standardize and explain all the events, what is now considered the foundation of our scientific and technical culture. The importance of these thinkers lies in the influence even today. And as explanatory procedure have made countless procedures, which has been refined to the point that we know as definitive scientific method. The old ideal of science Aristotle and many more Greeks played an important role in defining what we now know as science and hence the relevance of mentioning their contributions when discussing issues of scientific philosophy and all that it concerns.