How different are quantitative and qualitative research Essay

How unalike are quantifiable and qualitative research - Essay ExampleIn order to understand the differences in the midst of the qualitative and quantitative research, it would be necessary to refer to their fundamental characteristics as well as to their place, as key research methodologies. The explanations, which have been developed for the above two research methods, are also presented. The analyse of the literature published in the particularized field has led to the assumption that the differences between the qualitative and the quantitative research are often ignored and their simultaneous use is attempted especi eithery for research projects that are quite demanding. 2. Qualitative and quantitative research description, forms In the literature, the scope of qualitative research has been explained using distinguishable approaches however, it seems that all relevant views focus on the same fact qualitative research is used in order to identify the causes of human beha viour in regard to various genial events. This view is make clear in the study of Mariampolski (2001) where it is noted that qualitative research seeks the meanings and motivations behind behaviour (Mariampolski 2001, p.7). ... h the definition of qualitative research presented in the study of Merriam (2009) in accordance with the above definition, qualitative research is a situated activity that locates the observer in the world (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005, p.3, in Merriam, 2009, p.13). On the other hand, Potter (1996) notes that the role and the value of qualitative research can be understood only by referring to the particular elements of the specific research method. This task is developed through three different types of definitions a) a component-type definition, b) a procedural-type definition and c) a product type definition (Potter, 1996, p.20-21). The first of the above definitions, the component-type one, focuses on the parts/ elements of qualitative research an common mo od definition of such type is, for example that of Jankowski and Wester (1991) who emphasized on the content of qualitative, i.e. on the meaning given by people to their social activities and their active presence within the society meaning that all people in society have a role which tends to be changed under different social conditions (Potter, 1996). The second definition, the procedural-type one, refers to qualitative research as a sequence of tasks (Potter, 1996, p.21). A definition which follows a same path is, for example, that of Pauly (1991) who noted that the qualitative research includes five steps a) identification of the topic, b) development of the research questions, c) assemblage of the material, d) explanation of the findings, e) presentation of the researchers personal view on the issues under discussion (Pauly, 1991, in Potter, 1996, p.21). Finally, the product-type definition gives emphasis on what is produced by the qualitative method (Potter, 1996, p.21).