1. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Method Issues
Chapter 4

2. Outline Introduction – How to choose? Quantitative Research
Disadvantages vs. Advantages
Qualitative Research
History and Trends
Mixed-Methods
So which is better?

3. Factors to consider Field of study Nature of study
Purpose of the study
Population of the study
Tools readily available
Method and design
Instrument
Amount of human interaction or characteristics to be studied
Desired implications and results

4. Quantitative
Positivist thought – can be verified by observation and experimentation
Distribution of variables that can be generalized to entire population
Less interaction between researcher and subjects – more objectivity
Four categories:
Descriptive design
Correlation
Casual comparative
Quasi-experimental

5. Disadvantages
Should only be used if data can be measured by numbers, results quantified
Instrument or method chosen is subjective and research is dependent upon tool chosen
Lack of independent thought by researcher when dependent on instrument or mathematics used to extract or evaluate data
Individuals’ decisions not evaluated based on their culture or social interactions
Decisions made without regard to individual human thought or choice to predict behavior
All individuals are measured same way
Experiences
Backgrounds
Intelligence
Ability to change decisions at any given point in time
Independent though

6. Advantages Observations are used throughout studies
Formulating hypotheses allows for speculation about outcomes; applicable instrument
Safeguards used to minimize or eliminate bias
Predicts correlation between objects
Systematic data collection and analysis
Generalizable to other institutions for further research
Recognized criteria for assessment and validity
More research conducted by this method

7. Qualitative
Investigates individual behaviors and characteristics to understand cause and solve issues
Inductive process to explore new perspectives on previously studied information not completely understood
Involvement of human subjects; dependent on interaction
Less generalizable to greater population
More accurate description of individuals and groups
Multiple types:
Interviews
Focus groups
Case studies
Ethnographic studies

8. Disadvantages Strong dependency on sample population Access
Honest and valid information
Time and resources needed for collection and analysis is intensive
Lack of objectivity and bias by researcher
Inferences made
Incorrect conclusions
Convenience sampling
Lack of training or knowledge about methodology
Lack of ability to produce and comprehend research
Not recognized

9. Advantages Helps explain relationships in detail; individualistic
Can help validate quantitative findings by further investigation
Can help close gap between research and practice
Needs of individuals in institutions
Study problems more relevant to policy makers
Less dependent on instrument
Can bring change in institutions and society
In-depth
Personalized
Examines specific issues

10. History and Trends
Study of five leading higher education journals showed higher volume of quantitative methods vs. qualitative in 1986 and 1989
Shift has reported increase in qualitative methods in organization and vocational psychology
40-50 percent decrease in of quantitative methods
10 percent decrease in
Qualitative methods increased from percent of studies to percent of studies

11. History and Trends Discovery of Grounded Theory: Barney Glaser
Legitimized alternative methods and research designs
Emphasized the creation of theory out of qualitative data
No longer belief that research was solely to produce scientific knowledge
Comparative assessment for research still does not exists

12. How do you measure what’s best?
Need a standard of measurement to determine quality
Guidelines are needed to recognize validity of results
Barriers of many different approaches and types of research methods
Two methods can provide complementary results
Qualitative:
Rich description of issues in field
Lay groundwork for quantitative studies
Quantitative
Provides accurate data collection and analysis and utilization