Exploring Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods assignment: A Comprehensive Guide
Question
Task: What are the key differences and applications of qualitative and quantitative Research Methods assignment?
Answer
Research Using Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
Definition and types of Research Methods assignment
Research refers to the investigation of a situation, or process to determine factors which influence the topics performance. To secure a clear insight linked to the investigation it is critical to utilize two methods of investigation namely Qualitative and Quantitative methods. Both plat an important role towards the research as they deliver different aspects which shed clearer perspective linked to the topic. While it is possible to investigate and perform research using one of the two Research Methods assignment, it’s always advisable to utilize both Research Methods assignment as this delivers a clearly.
Performing research using both Research Methods assignment helps accumulate important information related to the topic from other research professionals and authors as well as gather raw input directly from the public and professions working in the field. This is important as it reveals information which may have not been documented on research papers thus helping identify areas of difficulty which may be experienced but are not documented on research findings. This is important as it delivers factors related to research methodologies used while undertaking investigations where by the research has experience complications or hardship and failure.
Understanding Difficulties Experienced During Research
Performing research and investigations and securing accurate results plays a huge role towards the project’s success. This makes it important to invest heavily towards performing in-depth research which will help identify the maximum amount of information related to the topic which would allow for the researchers to develop accurate strategic plans and ensure future growth and expansion. This is only achievable when the research accumulated successful research findings as well as locates common complications experience by the researcher or people performing the research.
This is where both qualitative and quantitative research come in to play thus allowing the researcher map all aspects linked to the research process and both the findings as well as pitfalls the research has encountered. Difficulties experienced during pulmonary research help identify important draw backs a research projects and researcher experience while performing different experiments.
Besides educating the researchers this also helps the researcher reduce research costs associated to the project by outlining complication previous researcher and professions have experienced in the field before concluding on accurate finding. This is critical since the research cost will greatly reduce and time spent on research will also reduce thus helping speed at which research findings are presented to the public or industry heads.
Qualitative and Quantitative research
There are two main forms of research utilized by researchers and businesses are cross the globe namely Qualitative and quantitative Research Methods assignment. Each follows a unique approach but both deliver important insight linked to research topics and finding.
Qualitative research
Qualitative research involved performing investigations through the use of personalized inquiry linked to different topic with the objective of locating research finding, approaches and difficulties experienced by the investigators. This form of research is mainly utilized in the medical and social sciences field. This is due to the researchers needing to collect individual information and the results varying from person to person.
The same it also experienced on most science subjects which where investigation results and treatment may different based on multiple factors. This makes certain field heavily dependant on qualitative research strategies and will mainly depend on qualitative Research Methods assignment.
Quantitative research
This form of research depends mainly on previous research findings and approaches and mainly utilized in sectors which are mainly mechanized. The industrial and manufacturing industries are therefore more heavily dependent on Qualitative research due to them mainly depending on measurement.
These can be simulated using quantitative research and previous study findings to identify very accurate findings without needing to utilize Qualitative research. But in most industries both forms of research are critical towards securing accurate finding as most industries depend on human resource and machines to operate.
Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research involved collecting data from different sources including one to one interviews, focus group discussions, case study research, grounded theory, Action research, Ethnography and observation. Each of the above data collection techniques plays a huge role towards any researches success. It is critical to evaluate the situation where research needs to be conducted so as to determine the most effect type of research to be utilized.
There most common forms of data collection while performing Qualitative Research involves interviews, focus group discussions, case study research and observations. These allow the researcher to collected individualized information related to the research which helps personalize the findings and help identify certain aspects which would otherwise be missed by performing quantitative data collection.
These are the most common forms of data collection as they allow the research interact directly with the individuals performing the work thus helping them collect important information and experiences which may otherwise be missed while accumulating data from research publications. This is due to many publications purposely eliminating the researcher’s personal experience while performing the investigations and avoiding highlighting the difficulties they may have experienced during the research.
Quantitative research
This form of research involves collecting data using mathematical models, hypotheses and theories which can be computed and precise results calculated to determine the success ratio. These are many mathematical theories and tools which are utilized in Quantitative research to deliver accurate results which can be refined to deliver a 1-5% deviation to accuracy thus making them more effective in industrial businesses which manufacture products with the help of automated equipment.
In this situation the machines can be preprogramed to product a specific dimension or measurement which will fix the consumers’ expectations.
This data collection and research strategy is not useful in industries which involved humanities, social sciences and agriculture since the data collection and utilization is based mainly on precise, predictable and definite measurements which lead to precise outcomes and results thus are not effective in field where uncertainty is present.
While this form of research cannot be used in most social sciences the tools used for Quantitative research can be utilized to help deliver accurate prediction of the future based historical data. This data can then be used to help predict future events and help improve outcomes thus helping reduce losses businesses may incur as a result on non-predictability.
Qualitative Research - Action research, Ethnography and observation
While performing qualitative research it is essential for the researcher to adopt the most effective form of research so as to collect adequate information. This is due to each investigation or research study requiring different forms of information to be researched thus a unique research method much be adopted to collect the information.
Action research refers to performing researching directly within a group of individuals. This form of research required the researcher to actively participate and interview the affected people so as to secure their perspective related to the problem. A Television reporter is on type of researcher who utilizes the action research method as their primary form of research while performing investigations so as to secure raw data directly from the affected groups.
Ethnography is also a similar form of research where by the investigator will commonly them self-working within a group of individual so with the intention of understanding their life styles, habits and culture.
Research through observation involves evaluating data collected from previous and current research and being able to make some important connection. These can then be entered in to research finding to help future researcher complete research faster and more accurately
Quantitative research - mathematical models, hypotheses and theories
Powerful computer programs and machines have made it possible for manufacturing to be improved considerably during the past few years. Engineers are mainly dependant on Quantitative research which allows them to utilize mathematical models, hypotheses and theories to resolve manufacturing problems and improve production.
Mathematical models have grown to become a powerful tool which can be developed from available data and information. The combination of both data and powerful computer programs allows for the engineers to develop accurate models which can be used for future design. Due to the models utilizing specific measurements and fixed materials, the researcher can make alterations during the theoretical research stage and still be able to secure accurate results before the proposed changes are implemented in the manufacturing unit.
This is a critical requirement every engineer utilizes as it allows for very accurate calculations as well as measurements to be utilized on the research before implementation thus reducing the research cost and losses a company may incur on trial error basis
There are also a large number of hypotheses and theories available which can be used directly or modified so as to ensure the research follows the prescribed patent. Due to mainly being dependant on mathematical models, the researcher is capable of making subtle changes to the calculations so as to refine the final results.
Why Use a Combination of Research Methods assignment
Research refers to investigating concern thus it’s critical to implement different forms of research strategies so as to secure the most accurate results and present the finding as tested and successful.
Research will in most situations require to be done in stages whereby the researcher first needs to identify a topic for research, perform a in-depth analysis, collect the information, hypothesis the finding before publication. It is essential for the researcher to therefor adopt suitable research strategies which will ensure they secure the most accurate result.
Qualitative research involves collecting and analgising information directly from the source which is a critical requirement to secure accurate information and stakeholder experience. While qualitative research has been utilized and continues to be the primary mode of data collection in certain social sciences and humanities professions, the use of qualitative research techniques can also be infused to the research method to develop accurate findings.
With technology growing more powerful data researchers are able to enter their raw day to computer software and tools and generate important models which interlink the currently available data to help develop future predictions thus professions which were not predictable to improve the probability rate and success rates.
One example of combined research involves investigating patient reaction towards treatment, where statistical data related to medical condition, age, gender, medical history and other attributes must collected using qualitative research techniques.
The raw data will be difficult to review and identify any trends but when qualitative research strategies are used to analyse the data certain trends are quickly identified helping the professional from the medical work identify common trends linked to medical condition signs as well as suitable treatment strategies to be adopted.
Skills Required Being a Good Researcher
Research is a basic requirement for every business or industry to be a good researcher it is essential for one to have specific research skills. Attributes such as being analytical, patient and able to make connection within the data collected are critical requirements for any researcher and annalist to have so as to report the findings.
Simply collecting the data is not adequate since the data requires to also being amazed and findings reported to the concerned stake holders. To do this the researcher must be able to utilize their intuition as well as tools which will help transform the data in to visual models which are easier to present to the common person and explain the concern in hand.
Patients has also been identified to be a major requirement the research much have since data collection and analysis can take long periods of time. Research cannot be bound by time limitations since it involved data collection, analysis and testing of hypothesis before results can be presented to the concerned individuals. Income situations the research can last several days.
Weeks or even years before adequate data is collected and reported thus requiring for the researcher to have a high level of patients so as to complete the research and present accurate findings from the Research Methods assignment.