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Lesson 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Research_0

This lesson discusses the main types of research: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, highlighting their characteristics and differences. Qualitative research focuses on understanding meanings and interpretations, while quantitative research emphasizes measurable data and statistical analysis. Mixed methods research combines elements of both approaches, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of research questions.

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3 views

Lesson 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Research_0

This lesson discusses the main types of research: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, highlighting their characteristics and differences. Qualitative research focuses on understanding meanings and interpretations, while quantitative research emphasizes measurable data and statistical analysis. Mixed methods research combines elements of both approaches, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of research questions.

Uploaded by

baiskimberly89
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 1.

Lesson 3: Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Our everyday lives are surrounded by experiences, situations, and phenomena. It is natural for us
to ask questions about these observations and encounters in everyday life. When there is a question, there
has to be a way to answer i t. How? What steps must be done to answer a question? What information is
needed? How will you process information once acquired? How do you make sense of information to arrive
at an answer?
This lesson is a discussion on the main types of research and their characteristics.
Definition of Research
Research is defined as the systematic process of gathering information to answer a question (O’Leary,
2004). As a systematic process, it follows an ordered sequence of steps to arrive at an answer.
This ordered sequence of steps in the research process is part of the research design. The formulation of
a research design is an integral part of the research process. A research design is a systematic plan of
conducting research. It is important because it serves as the overall guide of the researcher throughout the
research process.
Types of Research
There are three main types of research: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods (Creswell, 2009).
These research types also essentially form a research design. Distinctions are often made between
qualitative and quantitative research. Mixed methods research incorporates elements of both qualitative
and quantitative research.
Qualitative and quantitative research are often distinguished on the basis of their focus: qualitative
research focuses on words along with its construction, meanings, and interpretations. On the other hand,
quantitative research focuses on observable and measurable data that are usually expressed in
numerical form and analyzed through statistical techniques.

Qualitative Research
Creswell (2009) defines qualitative research as “a means for exploring and understanding the meaning
individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem.” Qualitative research asks open-ended
questions to extract meanings, perceptions, and interpretations. These meanings, perceptions, and
interpretations cannot be acquired and analyzed without proper reference of the researcher to the context,
setting, or experiences of the participants of the study.
 Some examples of qualitative research topics are:
 Perspectives of teachers on the implementation of anti-bullying policies
 Cultural practices of an indigenous group and their respective meanings
 Perceptions on the importance of freedom of speech
 Interpretations of political speeches
Common among the examples listed above is the focus on words, meanings, interpretations, and
perspectives. Qualitative research uses different strategies of inquiry such as phenomenology, grounded
theory, ethnography, case studies, and narratives.
Specific data collection methods include interviews, focus group discussions, and content analysis. Gray et
al. (2007) summarized qualitative techniques as “relying on words, especially nouns and adjectives that
convey what exists.”
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is defined as “a means for testing objective theories by examining the relationship
among variables” (Creswell, 2009). These variables are observable, measurable, and may be expressed in
numbers. Quantitative research makes use of statistical knowledge in the collection, analysis, and
interpretation of numerical data (Creswell, 2009). Quantitative techniques “use numbers to describe what
exists” (Gray et al., 2007).
Among the goals of quantitative research is to verify hypotheses and establish relationships using
measurable and observable data. Some examples of quantitative research topics are:
 Effects of physical exercise on sleep quality
 Preferences of college students towards computer operating systems
 Impact of social media use on rising fashion trends
Main strategies of inquiry for quantitative research are surveys and experiments, which use systematic
data collection methods, such as survey questionnaires. Quantitative research uses closed-ended
questions. The researcher adopts an objective standpoint in relation to the participants of the study in
order to ensure the validity and reliability of the data and its analysis.

Mixed Methods Research


Mixed methods research employs the elements of both qualitative and quantitative research in terms of
strategies, methods, and focus. However, Creswell (2009) notes that a mixed methods research is not
simply a combination of the elements of qualitative and quantitative research. Doing mixed methods
research also entails ensuring the complementarity of both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
In terms of the sequence of methods, mixed methods research may be sequential, concurrent, or
transformative. According to Creswell (2009), a sequential mixed methods research is when the
researcher “seeks to elaborate on or expand on the findings of one method with another method.”
Sequential mixed methods research may either begin qualitatively and the findings may be generalized
quantitatively, or the sequence may also proceed with quantitative research being expounded by
qualitative research. On the other hand, a concurrent mixed methods research proceeds with qualitative
and quantitative methods and data being used and collected at the same time. Mixed methods research
may also be transformative. Mixed methods research may also be transformative. It can contain
elements of either concurrent or sequential mixed methods research. The distinctions among qualitative,
quantitative, and mixed methods research designs in terms of the three components are summarized in
the following table:
Table 2. Characteristics of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research as directly adopted from
Creswell (2009)
Choosing a Research Design: Advantages and Disadvantages
Given the different types of research designs, a decision must be made on what is the most appropriate
design to use for one’s own research topic. Central to one’s considerations is the nature of the research
problem. Assess which among qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research is the likely focus of
the research problem.
The advantages and disadvantages of each type of research must also be considered. Distinctions are
more commonly made between qualitative and quantitative research. With that, the primary advantages
and disadvantages of qualitative and quantitative research are summarized in Table 3 below, as directly
adopted from Vanderstoep and Johnston (2009):
Table 3. Advantages and disadvantages of qualitative and quantitative research (Vanderstoep and
Johnston, 2009)

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