Qualitative and quantitative research as complements (Black, 1999) Use of design depends on research problem, and the two RDs complement each other Single or a few selected groups (case study): Why? How? Representative sample(s): What is? How widespread? Why (causal research)? 1
Types of research designs (RDs) Qualitative RDs, using a case study approach for determining observation units and using field research instruments such as: Participant observation, unstructured in-depth interviews, participatory rural appraisal few observation units researched in detail Quantitative RDs, using representative samples and mainly using structured questionnaires with standardized definition of variables to be measured many observation units researched about narrowly defined issues for which results are sought to be representative Use of design depends on research problem, and the two RDs complement each other 2
Assumptions of qualitative versus quantitative Research Designs (RDs) (Source: Burns, 1999) Qualitative Quantitative Variables complex and inter- woven; difficult to measure Variables can be measured and identified Events viewed from informant's Events viewed perspective from outsider's perspect. 3
Purposes of qualitative versus quantitative RDs (Source: Burns, 1999) Qualitative Quantitative Understanding the perspectives of others Causal explanation Interpretation Prediction Contextualisation Generalisation 4
Methods of qualitative versus quantitative RDs (Source: Burns, 1999) Qualitative Data collection using participant observation and unstructured interviews Concludes with hypothesis and grounded theory Inductive Data analysis by themes from informants' descriptions Data reported in language of informant Quantitative Testing and measuring Commences with hypothesis and theory Deductive Statistical analysis Statistical reporting 5
Role of researcher in qualitative versus quantitative RDs (Source: Burns, 1999) Qualitative Quantitative Researcher as instrument Researcher applies formal instruments Personal involvement Detachment Empathic understanding Objective 6
Strengths of qualitative RDs (Source: Burns, 1999) The value of qualitative studies lies in their ability to research issues that: explore folk wisdom, cultures and traditions; investigate real or hidden agendas of organisations as opposed to stated agendas; cannot be done experimentally, for ethical or practical reasons; unravel informal and unstructured links and processes in organisations; investigate in depth the processes driven by people/institutions. Strength of qualitative studies then lies in research that is descriptive or exploratory and that stresses the importance of context and the subjects' frame of reference. 7
Stages of the research process See graph on next page (Source: Black, 1999) 8
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Developing and testing theories in social sciences Theory = formal statement of how variables relate to each other (distinguishing a dependent variable Y and independent variables Xs) Common method of developing a theory: Induction = Make observations, data is collected, general patterns are recognized, and relationships between variables are proposed that form a theory Common method of testing a theory: Qualitative and quantitative research rejecting or accepting hypotheses postulated by theory See Figure 1.2 in Black, 1999 10
Major references B11.998 Black, Thomas R. Doing quantitative research in the social sciences. An Integrated approach to research design, measurement and statistics. Sage Publications. London, 1999. II 5912 Maxim, Paul S. Quantitative research in the social sciences. Oxford University Press, New York, 1999. II 5914 Bernard, Russell H. Social research. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Sage Publications, London, 2000. B 11.999. Burns, Robert B. Introduction to research. Forth edition. Sage Publications, London, 2000. 11