METHODOLOGIES

TYPES OF METHODOLOGIES

• Three major types of empirical research design are qualitative,

quantitative and mixed methods. Therefore, a researcher has to opt for
a specific design depending on the topic and the aims of the research.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

• This is a descriptive research, that is concerned in describing, analyzing the behavior of

respondents under study. Qualitative make use of the natural setting of the respondents for
example, respondents at work, at their homes, cinemas or wherever their suitable environment is
situated. Thus qualitative research is called field study or naturalistic inquiry. According to Burns
and Burns (2008:19) qualitative research enables the researchers to obtain and analyze information
from respondents through language and behavior demonstrated in the natural settings. Thus
qualitative research is mainly used by social scientists like theologians, philosophers, psychologists,
sociologists, anthropology and so on. Consider a situation when a researcher want to gather
information on the behavior of street kids after smoking glue, or one want to research on the
behavior of prostitutes in beer-halls during the period of financial crisis. Gathering and analyzing of
behavior of respondents is best conducted through qualitative research. Qualitative research is
subjective therefore the need for more than one evaluator on the same topic so as to avoid
individual bias in reaching a conclusion.
QUALITATIVE CONTINUED

• Qualitative research enables researchers to develop explanations of social phenomena. This means that it provides an
understanding of the world in which we exist and how different behaviors are determined. It aims to provide answers
to social aspects of the world and seeks to provide answers on:
• How human beings are influenced by the events that surrounds them.
• Why human beings behave in way they do
• How human beings’ attitudes and opinions are formulated
• How and why humans developed their culture.
• Qualitative research enables the researchers to answer many challenging questions such as, How? Why? The behavior
of humans is determined. Thus, qualitative research is non-numeric as it aims to provide information through words,
descriptions and explanations. Qualitative research make use of natural setting such as workplace, home
environment, school environment, it is not conducted in the laboratory. By natural setting means the environment of
qualitative research is not modified by humans as it is in the laboratory. Therefore, qualitative research is conducted in
a flexible and interactive situation. Examples of qualitative research are focus group discussions, interviews and
questionnaires.
MERITS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

• It is a simple method to use since the researcher is to use his/her own judgment.
• It is expressed in words, descriptions and explanations, thus the reader is not left in suspense.
• The researcher is able to maintain closer interaction with both the respondents and their activities
in their natural settings.
• The fact that it is field research it enables the researcher to observe the nature of human needs
which may not be common to qualitative research.
• The fact that it is based on observational techniques, focus groups, in-depth interviews. It enables
the researchers to provide their judgment based on causes and effects of the situation.
• It emphasizes on the validity of multiple meanings of events with the reality which is not fixed.
DEMERITS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

• It is subjective as it is based on individual judgment therefore; there is high risk of bias.

• It may be influenced by conflict of interests hence the purpose of the researcher may be lost.
• It may result in many different answers on the same topic being studied therefore; it may
mislead the reader.
• It is difficult to apply international standards of reliability and validity in qualitative research.
• More time is needed to conduct qualitative research and it is very expensive as, many
resources are needed
• It is risk as the researcher interacts with the respondents with different behavior and thinking.
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

• Quantitative research is a numerical method of obtaining data by the researchers. It is an empirical investigation that is
the researcher focuses on verifiable observation. Quantitative research methodology provides objective results since it
is based on facts that can be verified by past, present and future evidence. Quantitative research depends on the
principle of verifiability. This means that it is based on confirmation, proof, corroboration or substantiation Kombo and
Tromp (2011:11). The results of quantitative research show little or no bias. Its results can be proven by direct
observation. Quantitative research does not provide researcher’s values, feelings, attitudes. It is mainly based on
objective facts. This means that if the same topic is conducted using similar apparatus in same environment the results
are the same. Thus quantitative research is mainly used by the natural scientists such as those who study Physics,
Chemistry, Biology Engineering and so on. According to Creswell (2009:3), quantitative research is conducted to test
objective theories by examining the relationship that exists among variables. The variables can then be measured on
instruments that they can be analyzed using statistical procedures.
• Quantitative research method is used to develop a general laws or principles through a thorough controlled
experimentation Burns and Burns (2012:14). Thus, quantitative research relies on the scientific approach that
incorporates objectivity and reliability. The results from qualitative research are usually fixed as it is based on proven
facts.
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

• There are four major characteristics of quantitative research. These are operational definition, control, replication and hypothesis testing.
• Operational definition – means the researcher has to first develop a definition of the topic to be studied so as to avoid confusion. There may be a
complex word or a hidden meaning in the topic to be studies therefore, there is need to provide the real meaning of complex words or hidden
meaning on the topic to be studied. For example, “An analysis of the funding gap in company”. There is need for the researcher to provide the actual
meaning of the funding gap as the term funding gap is too general and can be subject to many interpretations.
•
• Control – The researcher should have control over research being undertaken. Control helps the researcher to identify the factors that contributes to
their observations.
•
• Replication – The results of the research should be similar on similar circumstances. If other researchers conduct the same conditions the results of
the research should be found again without little or no differences. If similar results of the researcher are not obtained this means that the findings of
the research are not reliable.
•
• Hypothesis testing – The research has to develop the assumptions that can be proven without doubt. For example, if one sees a shooting star
moving northwards it means one is shown a place where one is to die. Surely this cannot be proven. But, if one say inflation can be caused by too
much money in circulation, this can be proven scientifically. Therefore, researchers should develop a hypothesis that can be proven by past, present
and future evidence.
MERITS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

• It is based on facts that can be proven.

• It is a fast method of research since it is based on statistical figures.
• It is a simple method of research.
• It is objective therefore, its results are reliable.
• It can be used to help to explain different phenomena.
• It helps to gather accurate empirical data that can be applied to gain a
better understanding of many fields.
DEMERITS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

• There is less involvement between the researcher and respondents

sometimes the researcher does not have contact with the respondents
when using quantitative research.
• The statistical relationships may be based on variables that are defined
by the researcher therefore; it is not completely free from bias.
• It is difficult and sometimes impossible to use when researching on
social topics that focus on attitudes and behavior of human beings
which cannot be measured objectively
• It is based on statistical data which does not provide explanations on
how the results come to an existing conclusion.
MIXED METHODS RESEARCH

• Mixed methods research is a methodology for conducting research by collecting, analyzing

and integrating quantitative and qualitative research (www.foodrisc.org/2017/02/13/20;13).
This method is used by researchers when both qualitative and quantitative alone cannot
provide better understanding. According to Creswell mixed method research originated in
1959 when Campbell and Risk used the multi methods in their study of psychological traits.
The use of mixed methods research enables the researcher to mix both qualitative and
quantitative research, this result in the researcher to gain in breadth and depth of
understanding and collaboration, whilst offsetting the weaknesses that exist when using on
approach (Gray 2010). Mixed methods research is very important as it enables researchers to
identify aspects of problem more accurately by approaching the problem from different
points using different methods and techniques. But there is need for the researcher to be
careful in analyzing the type of information provided by each method.
MIXED METHODS RESEARCH IS MORE SUITED:

• When the researcher needs to use one method to inform another method.
• For example, when there is little knowledge about a topic being studied. Therefore, there is need to learn on what
variables to study through quantitative and those with small sample of individuals using qualitative research.
• When the researcher wants to corroborate or validate the results obtained from other methods of
research.
• When the researcher want to continuously look on a research question from different angles so as to clarify
potential contradictions.
• When the researcher wants to develop a theory on a problem of interest, usually quantitative research provides a
better way of testing theories and qualitative research is more suitable to build a theory.
• When the researcher wants to provide generalized findings of either qualitative or quantitative research.
• When a researcher want to explore a phenomenon
• When researchers develop and test a new instrument
ADVANTAGES OF MIXED METHODS RESEARCH

• It provides complete and comprehensive understanding of the research problem than when using
either qualitative or quantitative methods alone.
• It provides the strengths that offset the weaknesses of both qualitative and quantitative research
methods. For example, qualitative research has a weakness of showing bias of the researcher on
the other hand, qualitative research is weak in providing information on the behavior of the
respondents by using the mixed research methods the strengths of both qualitative and
quantitative research are obtained.
• It enables the researcher to develop a better and more context specific instruments to the
problem. For example, the use of qualitative research makes it possible for the researcher to gather
more information on a specific topic so as to develop a relevant instrument with greater validity
(measures the construct that it intends to measure).
• It help the researcher to explain the findings accurately.
DISADVANTAGES OF MIXED METHODS RESEARCH

• More time and resources of the researcher is needed in using mixed

methods research.
• The method is very complex especially to those researchers who are
new in the field of research.
• It is very difficult to plan and implement one method by drawing on the
findings of another method.
• Sometimes it is unclear on how to resolve differences that arise in the
interpretations of the findings.