Qualitative Research Methods
Qualitative research is a method that often uses open-ended and interactive communication to obtain data. Busetto, Wick, and Gumbinger (2020, p. 234) further described it as collecting and analyzing non-numerical data such as text or video to understand concepts and experiences. This research method can either be used to generate new ideas or gather deeper insights into a research problem. More importantly, qualitative research is common in social science disciplines such as sociology and psychology. Research methods include observations, one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and case study research.
Methods That Produce Qualitative Data
The first method that is used to produce qualitative data is observation. This method, as explicated in Leedy’s (2022, p. 54) book, is based on the five senses of smell, sight, taste, touch, and hearing. Observation, as a method, focuses exclusively on the characteristics and qualities of the subject as opposed to numbers.
The second method for consideration is a one-on-one interview that utilizes open-ended conversation between the researcher and the subjects. In this method, the researcher can ask pre-determined questions to collect specific information on the topic (Leedy, 2022, p. 55). The last method is a focus group, which consists of a limited number of participants, 6-10. This method helps a lot in answering the “why,” “what,” and “how” questions. According to Leedy (2022), a focus group is useful when explaining complex processes. It is also common in research on new products and testing new ideas.
Pros and Cons
The two main advantages of qualitative research methods are flexibility and encouraging discussion. Flexibility, on the one hand, means the researcher is at liberty to ask any question about the topic provided they feel it is relevant (Gill, 2020, p. 759). In fact, the researcher or interviewer can easily change the setting. On the other hand, this research method encourages discussion since it is conducted in an open manner, giving the researcher some context as opposed to just numbers.
Some disadvantages of qualitative research methods include lack of privacy and bias. The former is mainly concerned with sensitive topics where the participants may not feel comfortable sharing information due to the topic’s open nature (Gill, 2020, p. 760). In the latter, the researcher may select participants with a specific opinion about the topic rather than mixed views.
Quantitative Research Methods
Quantitative research is a type of scientific investigation that is undertaken through procedural techniques or applied mathematics. According to Wilson (2019, 28), this method is concerned mainly with numerical data and uses mathematical analysis to derive meaning from what is being determined. The authors further emphasized that the information collected should be in numbers (Wilson, 2019, p. 28).
The basic structure of this method is embedded in the scientific approach – it employs the method of aggression and, at the same time, uses information at intervals. The main goal of gathering quantitative data is to understand and predict the nature of a given phenomenon. In essence, some of the common qualitative research methods include questionnaires, interviews, and experimental research.
Methods That Produce Quantitative Data
The first method used to produce quantitative data is questionnaires, which can be self or researcher-administered. The self-administered questionnaires are cost-effective since they can be utilized for larger and smaller groups. Ideally, a questionnaire can be described as a list of questions used to gather data from respondents (Bauer & Scheim, 2019, p. 236).
The second method is interviews, which can either be in-person, online, or telephonic. The in-person interviews allow the researcher to ask the interviewee questions directly. The last method is experimental research based on one or more theories (Wilson, 2019, p. 29). It is also referred to as true experimentation and can be used in determining the cause-and-effect relation for a particular group.
Pros and Cons
One of the main advantages of quantitative research methods is that they allow the use of a larger sample size. This, as explained by Wilson (2019, 29), allows the researcher to make more generalizations and extensive analyses of the results. Besides this, quantitative research methods also ensure the impartiality and accuracy of data concerning the survey questions utilized. Similarly, this method ensures data remain anonymous, especially on sensitive topics, as the participants may use online surveys and other related self-completion exercises.
One of the common cons of quantitative research methods is that they are limited by a set of answers, especially with surveys. Here, the participants cannot provide more in-depth discussion or reasons on the subject. Another disadvantage of this research method is that the researcher is not able to follow up on the answers provided once they have been completed due to the anonymity of the participants.
Research Ethics
For this report, research ethics refers to ethical guidelines that dictate how scientific research should be undertaken and disseminated. Research ethics is also crucial as it provides guidelines and standards of conduct on how the entire exercise should be undertaken. Similarly, “it educates and monitors scientists researching to ensure a high ethical standard” (Alderson & Morrow, 2020, p. 145). It plays an important role in examining the ethical issues that might arise when individuals are used as participants in a given study.
Importance of Ethics in Research
Ethics play an important role in any type of research, either qualitative or quantitative. Firstly, it helps promote the aim of the research, such as explaining a particular concept or expanding knowledge. Secondly, “it supports the necessary collaborative work values, including fairness and mutual respect” (Sivasubramaniam et al., 2021, p. 123). This aspect is particularly important to scientific research, which depends largely on the collaboration between the researcher and the participants.
Lastly, the rules advanced by research ethics ensure researchers are held accountable for their behaviors and actions. It is imperative to note that some researchers are supported by public funds, especially those involving humans and animals. Therefore, it is important to ensure the money is spent appropriately.
Different Methods of Making Research Ethical
While there are many methods to make research ethical, this report will highlight only three. The first method relates to voluntary participation, where the research ensures the participants are free to choose to take part in the study without any pressure. Here, the participants are free to withdraw from the study at any point.
Secondly, the researcher strives to ensure all the participants receive and understand all the information necessary to make an informed consent. For instance, they must receive information about the benefits and associated risks of participating in the study. The last method of making research ethical is where the researcher maintains a high level of anonymity. This can be achieved by refraining from collecting personality-identifying information such as names.
Reference List
Alderson, P. and Morrow, V. (2020). The ethics of research with children and young people: a practical handbook. Second. SAGE Publications Ltd.
Bauer, G.R. and Scheim, A.I. (2019) “Methods for analytic inter-categorical inter-sectionality in quantitative research: discrimination as a mediator of health inequalities,” Social Science & Medicine, 22(6), pp. 236–245. Web.
Busetto, L., Wick, W. and Gumbinger, C. (2020) “How to use and assess qualitative research methods,” Neurological Research and Practice, 2(1), pp. 234-400. Web.
Gill, S.L. (2020) “Qualitative sampling methods,” Journal of Human Lactation, 36(4), pp. 579–581. Web.
Leedy, P. (2022). Practical research: Planning and Design. 12th edn. London: Pearson.
Sivasubramaniam, S. et al. (2021) “Assisting you to advance with ethics in research: an introduction to ethical governance and application procedures,” International Journal for Educational Integrity, 17(1), pp. 123-200. Web.
Wilson, L.A. (2019) “Quantitative research,” Handbook of research methods in health social sciences, pp. 27–49. Web.