Exploring Qualitative and Quantitative Research Essay

In psychology, answers to our questions be not as succinct as in former(a) types of sciences, and the findings essentially depend upon the fundamental epistemology employ. This essay seeks to define and examine the handle of soft and quantitative enquiry. It will address the contrary epistemologies and methodologies of each paradigm, and fix to give you a brief overview of the two main(prenominal) look for methods underlying scientific knowledge. soft investigate is often only defined in contrast to Quantitative query That is, it does not involve statistics, nor does it depend on the level of objectivity that characterises the quantitative onset. While quantitative research aims to categorize musicians in numerical form by creating statistical models to answer unique(predicate) hypothesises Qualitative research does not start with a specific hypothesis, kind of it seeks to generalise behaviours, and experiences (McQueen & Knussen, 2013, p.422). Qualitative research workers tend to operate under different epistemological beliefs than that of quantitative tecs. Unlike quantitative detectives who use fixed instruments with little flexibility, Qualitative researchers allow questions to emanate and reshape themselves as the research unfolds (Krauss, 2005, p. 759).The qualitative researcher is engaged in the world they investigate, creating an unstructured and reflective element to the research, where the researchers knowledge, affective interactions, and past experiences all form a part of the research (Ponterotto, 2010, p.583). check to Guba and Lincoln (as cited in Ponterotto, 2005, p.128) there are four main research paradigms postpositivism, constructivism-interpretivism and the critical-ideological and positivism perspective. Of these four paradigms, positivism is solely adopted in the quantitative mount, whereas the three remaining paradigms are utilised in the qualitative approach (Ponterotto, 2010, p.581). Postpositivism is based on c ritical realism, and uses traditional qualitative methods, in as quantifiable manner as is possible.Post electropositives believe that although there is a existence independent of benevolent consciousness, one rear end never truly transport an objective view of this reality (Ponterotto, 2005, p.129). Postpositivists maintain that although the researcher may set about some influence on the research, the maintenance of objectivity remains authoritative in the research process (Ponterotto, 2005, p.131). Whilst the postpositive paradigm adopts a change dualist/objectivist approach, the constructivism-interpretivism paradigm is based on relativism. Constructivists consider reality to be experienced differently by each individual, as opposed to be an international and singular reality. (Ponterotto, 2005, p.129). Ponterotto (2005) considers the constructivist paradigm as transactional and subjective, making the interaction in the midst of the researcher and participant cardinal i n capturing the lived experience with the researcher and participant, together, construct the findings from their interactions (Ponterotto, 2005, p.129-131). the like constructivists, the criticalists conclude that reality is constructed within a social-historical context, the difference being, that criticalists conceive reality through power relations and use their research to understand victims of burdensomeness and seek to uncover structures of power (Ponterotto, 2005, p.130-131).The researchers encourages chance a key role, as participant empowerment and emancipation are the researchers object. Relationships between researchers and participants are subjective and transactional with the relationship being dialectic in nature (Ponterotto, 2005, p.130-131). In contrast to the qualitative paradigms, the main feature of quantitative research is that it mirrors the natural sciences by adopting a positivist approach which is dualist and objective in nature. Positivism assumes the hypothetico-deductive method, that is, researchers start out with a research question and hypothesis, and then formulate a way of amount or proving it (Ponterotto, 2005, p.128). Ponterotto (2005) boost states that the aim of quantitative research is the prediction, and control of covariants that stool be expressed as mathematical formulas to determine functional relationships. These differing ontological approaches bring to pass differing methodological approaches. Methodology refers to the processes and procedures of the research. inquiry methods used embarrass observation, interviews, focus groups, surveys, case studies, questionnaires and synopsis of text (Ponterotto, 2005, p.132).Observational research is non-experimental research where a researcher observes ongoing behaviour. It offer be unstructured, semi-structured, structured, participant or non-participant (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.80). Some limitations to this type of research are language and cultural barr iers as well as the risk of observer bias, with one of the advantages being that the researcher gains access to information they normally wouldnt have. Observation is typically used in qualitative research, but tolerate be used in quantitative research prior to designing questionnaires (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.80). As with observation, interviews and focus groups mess be structured, semi-structured and unstructured, and can use photographs, notes, videos and tape recordings to improve entropy tint. Interviewing allows the researcher to guide and prompt things that we cannot observe, it too allows us to get an correspondence of the participants account of the phenomenon (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.86). Some limitations can be the use of fainthearted questions, and excessive prompting and questioning by the interviewer, which can distort the whole step of data.Interviewing is typically utilised in qualitative research, but can be used in quantitative research utilise closed end questions (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.86). Another form of methodological analysis is that of shell studies which are an in insight observations of a single subject, or a small group of individuals. Case studies are deemed helpful in trying to understand complex mental phenomenon that either are not well understood or cannot be replicated experimentally (Burton, Westen, & Kowalski, 2012 p.55). Two concerns of using this methodology is observer bias and generalisability repayable to the small sample size, however, this can be overcome by using a multi-case- field method. This methodology is typically used in qualitative research, however, can also be used in quantitative research (Burton, Westen, & Kowalski, 2012 p.55). As with case studies, questionnaires and surveys are a form of descriptive research. It involves questions about behaviours and beliefs using a larger sample size (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.96). One limitation is the neediness of interpretive opportunity, and unintended systemic bias.Surveys and questionnaires are largely used in quantitative research using close ended questions, but can be used in qualitative research using ease up ended questions. (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.96). The main difference between the fields of study pop when we look at the methodologies of data analysis. Frost (2011) identifies four main methods of data analysis inqualitative research, these are grounded theory, interpretive phenomenology (IPA), discourse analysis, and muniment analysis. Grounded theory entails creating categories and themes and then conducting comparative analysis to generate hypothesis. IPA analyses data by endeavouring to make sense of the participants experiences by coding reoccurring patterns and meanings passim the text. Discourse analysis involves analysing and deconstructing spoken, written, or any significant semiotic solvent and assigning meaning to it. Narrative analysis focuses on the way heap use stories to interpret and give meaning to the world and provides a useful way for the researcher to explore and describe realities (Frost, 2011, p. 19-94).Two other forms of methodology commonly used, but not discussed here, are ethnography and action research. (McQueen & Knussen, 2013, pp.430-433). Conversely, the amount of money concepts of quantitative research are generalizability, reliability, objective measurement, and validity, coupled with three types of research methods including correlational designs, experimental designs, and descriptive designs (VanderStoep & Johnson, 2008 pp.91-108). Whereas correlation and descriptive designs involves identifying the relationship between two variables, experimental designs allow researchers to make claims of casual inference, which looks at which variable is the cause and which is the effect (VanderStoep & Johnson, 2008 pp.91-108). Quantitative data is analysed using statistical analysis which is made up of descriptive a nd inferential statistics, and include the, T-test, correlation, standard deviation, mode, mean, and median value and chi-square (VanderStoep & Johnson, 2008 pp47-100). In summary, qualitative and quantitative research methods have a pickle to offer in psychological research, but with every research approach there are strengths and weaknesses. Whilst some theorists argue that psychological research can be distorted by subjectiveness, others argue that not all human behaviour and thinking is always strictly logical.Whilst qualitative methods are more time consuming and harder to carry out, they emphasise validity and data quality and while quantitative methods are often thought of as located and providing limited data, it ensures reliability (Hayes, 2000 pp. 169-170). It can be seen from the above discussion that different research questions, require different research approaches. Susan ONeill (1999) conducted a qualitative case study to examine facets of a womens personality and subjectivity in her interpretation of sustenance with OCD. The research was conducted in two semi-structured interviews. In the first interview the participant was asked to tell her story about living with OCD. A discursive analysis was then conducted on the narrative and presented to her in the second interview she was then asked to analyse her reactions to the analysis and provide further clarifications, which identified different aspects of personality of OCD sufferers not previously identified. This study demonstrates the value of using reflexive interviews in order to get a deeper understanding of the participant. In contrast, a study conducted by Porche et al. (2012) in which cognitive carrying out was tested in methadone patients would not be suitable for qualitative methods. This research utilised tasks to measure psychomotor performance, memory, attention and executive function. collectable to the nature of the research and measurement tools used, it would only be suitabl e to set out this research as quantitative. In conclusion psychological researchers should clearly understand the studys purpose and lasts before looking at methodology and paradigms to ensure they use a paradigm suitable for the research goal or even consider using mixed research designs. It is also important to understand that the quality of the research is anchored to the correct use or combination of research paradigms, which ultimately should complement and support the research goal (Ponterotto, 2005, p.132).ReferencesBurton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. (2012). psychological science 3rd Australian and New Zealand edition. Brisbane John Wiley & Sons. Frost, N. (2011). Qualitative research methods in psychology Combining core approaches. 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