Quantitative and Qualitative As Research Based Design

Quantitative and Qualitative as
Research Based Design

Quantitative research is:
 a formal, objective, systematic process for
obtaining quantifiable information about the
world;
 presented in numerical form, and analysed
through the use of statistics;
 used to describe and to test relationships;
 used to examine the cause-and-effect of
relationships.
 There is one other thing that we need to think
about when designing our quantitative research
study, and that is the role of the researcher.
 Quantitative researchers attempt to remain

detached from the study, and from the sample (in
studies where the sample is made up of human
beings). They strive to maintain objectivity - in
other words they try to not influence it with their
own personal values, feelings, and experiences.
 Quantitative methods emphasize objective
measurements and the statistical, mathematical,
or numerical analysis of data collected through
polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by
manipulating pre-existing statistical data
using computational techniques. Quantitative
research focuses on gathering numerical data and
generalizing it across groups of people or to
explain a particular phenomenon.
 The introduction to a quantitative study is usually
written in the present tense and from the third
person point of view. It covers the following
information:
 Identifies the research problem -- as with any

academic study, you must state clearly and
concisely the research problem being
investigated.
 Reviews the literature -- review scholarship on
the topic, synthesizing key themes and, if
necessary, noting studies that have used similar
methods of inquiry and analysis. Note where key
gaps exist and how your study helps to fill these
gaps or clarifies existing knowledge.
 Study population and sampling -- where did the

data come from; how robust is it; note where
gaps exist or what was excluded. Note the
procedures used for their selection;
 Data collection – describe the tools and methods
used to collect information and identify the
variables being measured; describe the methods
used to obtain the data; and, note if the data was
pre-existing [i.e., government data] or you
gathered it yourself. If you gathered it yourself,
describe what type of instrument you used and
why.
Note that no data set is perfect--describe any
limitations in methods of gathering data.
 Data analysis -- describe the procedures for
processing and analyzing the data. If appropriate,
describe the specific instruments of analysis used to
study each research objective, including mathematical
techniques and the type of computer software used to
manipulate the data.
 Results
The finding of your study should be written

objectively and in a succinct and precise format. In
quantitative studies, it is common to use graphs,
tables, charts, and other non-textual elements to help
the reader understand the data.
 Statistical analysis -- how did you analyze the
data? What were the key findings from the data?
The findings should be present in a logical,
sequential order.
Instrument used in Quantitative Research
 Face -to -face interviews have a distinct advantage
of enabling the researcher to establish rapport with
potential participants and therefor gain their
cooperation. These interviews yield highest
response rates in survey research. They also allow
the researcher to clarify ambiguous answers and
when appropriate, seek follow-up information.
Disadvantages include impractical when large
samples are involved time consuming and
expensive.(Leedy and Ormrod, 2001)
Questionnaires
 Paper-pencil-questionnaires can be sent to a large
number of people and saves the researcher time
and money. People are more truthful while
responding to the questionnaires regarding
controversial issues in particular due to the fact
that their responses are anonymous. But they also
have drawbacks. Majority of the people who
receive questionnaires don't return them and
those who do might not be representative of the
originally selected sample.(Leedy and Ormrod,
2001)
Qualitative
 a systematic subjective approach used to describe
life experiences and give them meaning
 To gain insight; explore the depth, richness, and

complexity inherent in the phenomenon.
Phenomenology
Purpose, goal - to describe experiences as they are

lived
examines uniqueness of individual's lived situations

each person has own reality; reality is subjective
Research question development
 What does existence of feeling or experience

indicate concerning the phenomenon to be
explored
 What are necessary & sufficient constituents of

feeling or experience?
 What is the nature of the human being?

Method
 No clearly defined steps to avoid limiting
creativity of researcher
 Sampling & data collection
 Seek persons who understand study & are willing
to express inner feelings & experiences
 Describe experiences of phenomenon
 Write experiences of phenomenon
 Direct observation
 Audio or videotape
Data analysis
 Classify & rank data

 Sense of wholeness
 Examine experiences beyond human awareness/ or
cannot be communicated
Outcomes
 Findings described from subject's point-of-view

 Researcher identifies themes
 Structural explanation of findings is developed
Case study
Purpose - describe in-depth the experience of one

person, family, group, community, or institution
Method
Direct observation and interaction with subject

Outcomes - in-depth description of the experience
Analysis - synthesis of experience
Data Collection
 Interview with audiotape & videotape
 Direct, non-participant observation
 Participant observation
 Field notes, journals, logs
 Data Collection is an important aspect of any

type of research study. Inaccurate data collection
can impact the results of a study and ultimately
lead to invalid results.

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Quantitative and Qualitative as

Research Based Design

 Quantitative researchers attempt to remain

 Identifies the research problem -- as with any

 Study population and sampling -- where did the

The finding of your study should be written

 To gain insight; explore the depth, richness, and

Purpose, goal - to describe experiences as they are

examines uniqueness of individual's lived situations

 What does existence of feeling or experience

 What are necessary & sufficient constituents of

 What is the nature of the human being?

 Classify & rank data

 Findings described from subject's point-of-view

Purpose - describe in-depth the experience of one

Direct observation and interaction with subject

 Data Collection is an important aspect of any

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