6. WHEN TO USE QUANTITATIVE &
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH?
•Use quantitative research if you want
to confirm or test something (a theory
or hypothesis)
•Use qualitative research if you want to
understand something (concepts,
thoughts, experiences)
Research has two broad methodologies; qualitative research and quantitative research. Quantitative and qualitative researches are complementary methods that you can combine in your research studies to get results that are both wide-reaching and profound. To get the best results from these methods in your research, it’s important that you understand the differences between them which you will study in this lesson.
In the previous lessons, you learned that research should be systematic, objective, feasible, empirical and clear. These characteristics guide you in realizing the real nature of research following the processes as well as the factors in selecting your general problem or topic. As a researcher you need to consider the ethics and unethical practices in conducting research.
INDUCTIVE APPROACH TO RESEARCH BEGINS BY COLLECTING DATA THAT IS RELEVANT TO THE TOPIC OF INTEREST. IT BEGINS WITH EMPIRICAL OBSERVATIONS, SEEKING PATTERNS IN THOSE OBSERVATIONS, AND THEN THEORIZING ABOUT THOSE PATTERNS.
DEDUCTIVE APPROACH BEGINS WITH A THEORY, DEVELOPING HYPOTHESES FROM THAT THEORY AND THEN COLLECTING AND ANALYZING DATA TO TEST THOSE HYPOTHESES.
SUBJECTIVE – INFLUENCED BY PERSONAL FEELING, ETC
OBJECTIVE – EXPRESSING OR DEALING WITH FACTS