There are many different definitions of qualitative research, because it is not a simple phenomenon that is easily characterized. The authors attempt to define qualitative research by looking at different studies that can be used as examples of qualitative research, so they can identify a list of features. However, the differences between the studies are bigger than the commonalities, in focus and also in the methods used. The term ‘qualitative research’ covers a very heterogeneous field.
There are many different definitions of qualitative research, because it is not a simple phenomenon that is easily characterized. The authors attempt to define qualitative research by looking at different studies that can be used as examples of qualitative research, so they can identify a list of features. However, the differences between the studies are bigger than the commonalities, in focus and also in the methods used. The term ‘qualitative research’ covers a very heterogeneous field.
The following features can be said to define quantitative research:
- The research design is aimed at testing some hypotheses. In its design will be specified which data would be relevant, which instruments would be needed, and how the analysis should be performed.
- The use of numerical data.
- Generalization. Statistical techniques may be used to maximize the validity of the generalization.
- Procedural objectivity. Counting, ranking and measurement procedures are standardized to rule out bias caused by the social and personal characteristics of the researchers and to enable checks on the operation through replication.
- Statistical techniques are used to describe patterns found in the data and to test the likelihood that they could have been random.
- There are usually control variables involved.
There were a couple of arguments that challenged quantitative research. First of all, some scientists found it more important to study with happens in the ‘real’ world, rather than what happens in experiments. Secondly, some scientists felt the need to observe instead of doing interviews or examining questionnaires. Thirdly, it was necessary to allow people to speak in their own terms in interviews to be able to understand their perspectives. Fourthly there existed the danger that quantification led to the meaning of central concepts being lost. Finally there was the concern that the quantitative approach ignored the complex and context-sensitive character of social life, and the extent to which actions and outcomes are produced by peoples interpretations of situations.
Qualitative research is being defined as a form of social inquiry with the following six characteristics:
- A flexible and data-driven orientation. Qualitative research is more about generating and developing descriptions, and less about testing hypotheses. For this reason they adopt a flexible research design. You can see this flexibility as well in the data analysis, for example when qualitative research will create categories in this part of the process, whereas quantitative research will place the data in pre-determined categories.
- The use of relatively unstructured kinds of data. In qualitative research the researchers do not seek to quantify their content and there is little pressure to engage in formal counting, ranking, or measurement.
- Subjectivity. It is recognized that it is impossible to eliminate the effects of the social and personal characteristics of the researcher.
- Studies in natural settings (meaning not in a laboratory or through standardized testing).
- Small number of cases, so each case can be examined in-depth.
- Usually the analysis consists of verbal descriptions and interpretations, supported by illustrative or evocative samples. It is a verbal rather than a statistical analysis of the data.
Not all qualitative studies have all of these features, but usually they do have most of them. Also studies can use mixed methods, using qualitative methods as well as quantitative methods.
Some say that qualitative and quantitative methods are just two different ways of doing research and that they can complement each other while investigating the same issue. The emphasis for these researchers is on choosing the method that is ‘fit for purpose’. Others say that qualitative and quantitative research are intrinsically different from each other, making different assumptions about the nature of the world and how we gain knowledge of it. These researchers consider the two approaches to be incompatible.
One feature of the work of qualitative researchers is based upon the systematic collection, recording and analysis of data. There is a lot of attention for the reliability of the data and the conclusions. Also there are differences in the form of writing, although these differences don’t represent a dichotomy and there are still blurs between social science and journalism in the form of writing that is being used. However, it can be said that qualitative research usually shows a more academic mode of writing.
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