OBJECTIVES

give the similarities of qualitative research and quantitative research; and

differentiate qualitative research and quantitative research

SIMILARITIES OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE

Empirical research is aimed at creating new knowledge.

Research creates knowledge by serving phenomena.

All the entities of interest like attitudes, motives and learning can be inferred from observing
what people do or say in a given setting.

All researchers are concerned about the universality of ideas or expressing an idea in a general
statement; that is, they desire to find meaning for the research results beyond a particular
study.

The characteristics, processes, and ethics of research

Characteristics of research

Empirical

Logical/Systematic

Cyclical

Analytical

Critical

Methodical

Replicability

TYPES OF RESEARCH

Library Research

Field Research

Laboratory Research

ETHICS AND RESEARCH

Ethics generally is considered to deal with beliefs about what is right or wrong, proper or
improper, good or bad.
To be ethical is to conform to accepted professional practice.

Ethical considerations in conducting research

Objectivity and integrity

Respect of the research subjects’ right to privacy and dignity and protection of subjects from
personal harm

Presentation of research findings

Misuse of research role

Acknowledgement of research collaboration and assistance

Distortions of findings by sponsor

Unethical practices in conducting research

Deceiving a respondent about the true purpose of a study.

Asking a respondent questions that cause him or her extreme embarrassment; guilt emotional
turmoil by remaining him or her of an unpleasant experience

Invading the privacy of a respondent

Studying the respondents or research subjects without their knowledge

When analyzing the data– revealing only part of the facts, presenting facts out of the context,
falsifying findings or offering misleading presentation such as lying with statistics.

Research process

Select a general problem.

Review the literature of the problem.

Select a specific research problem, question, or hypothesis.

Collect data.

Analyze and present or display data.

Interpret the findings and state conclusions or generalizations regarding the problem

Factors to consider in selecting a research problem

Researcher’s area of interest

Availability of funds and Investigator’s ability and training

Nature of Inquiry and Research

Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research deals with designs, techniques and measures that do not produce
numerical data. It includes extensive narrative data in order to gain insights into phenomena.

Quantitative research includes design, techniques and measures that produce numerical or
quantitative data which analysis is mainly statistical.

Qualitative Research

Exploratory research

Understanding of underlying reasons, opinions and motivations.

Uncover trends in thought and opinions and dig deeper into the problem

Sample size is small

Has a strong basis in the fields of sociology, political science, social work and special education.

A popular method is Case study

Five features of Qualitative Research

Studying the meaning of people’s lives, under real-world conditions; people will not limited by
the confines of a laboratory.

Representing the views and perspective of the people or participants of the study in the results
of the research mirror the values and meanings of the people who live them, not by the
researcher.

Covering the contextual condition within which people live the social institutions and
environmental conditions within which live. The may influence all human events.

Contributing insights into existing or emerging concepts may help or explain human social
behavior. Research can be instances for developing new concepts.

Striving to use multiple sources of evidence is better than relying on a single source alone.

Quantitative Research

Associated with hard data.

Used to quantify– that is to put numerical equivalents to findings.

It can quantifies attitudes, opinions, behaviors and other defined variables and generalize
results from a large sample of populations.
 Qualitative vs Quantitative

Purpose To understand & To test hypothesis, look

Group Studied
Variables
Type of Data collected
Form of Data collected
Type of data analysis
interpret social at cause & effect, &
interactions make predictions
Smaller & not randomly Larger & randomly
selected selected
Study of the whole, not Specific variables studied
variables
Words, images or objects Number and statistics
Qualitative data such as Quantitative based on
open-ended responses, precise measurements
interviews, participants using structured &
observations, field notes validated data collection
& reflections instruments
Identify patterns, features, Identify statistical
themes relationships

Objectivity and Subjectivity Subjectivity is Objectivity is critical

expected
Role of Researcher Research & their biases Researcher & their
may be known to biases are no known to
participants in the participants in the
study, & participants study, & participants
characteristics may be characteristics are
know to the researcher. deliberately hidden
from the researcher.
Results Particular or Generalizable findings
specialized findings that can be applied to
that is less other populations
generalizable
Scientific Method Exploratory or Bottom- Confirmatory or top-
up: the researcher down: the researcher
generates a new tests the hypothesis and
hypothesis and theory theory with the data.
from the data collected
View of Human behavior Dynamic, situational, Regular & predictable
social, & personal
Most Common Research Explore, discover and Describe, explain and
Objectives construct predict

Focus Wide-angle lens; Narrow-angle lens;

examines the tests specific
breadth and depth hypotheses
of phenomena
Nature of Observation Study behavior in Study behavior under
natural environment controlled
conditions; isolate
causal effects
Nature of Reality Multiple realities; Single reality;
subjective objective
Final Report Narrative report with Statistical report with
 contextual correlations,
description and direct comparisons of
quotations from means, and statistical
research participants significance of
findings

TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH IN DIFFERENT AREAS/FIELDS

Applied Research

- Solve problems of the modern world; improve human condition

Basic Research

- Known as pure research; curiosity or interest in a scientific question

Correlational Research

- Systematic investigation of relationships among two or more variables

Descriptive Research

- Provides accurate portrayal of a situation

Ethnographic Research

- Investigation of a culture

Experimental Research

- An objective, systematic, controlled investigation; cause and effect relationships

Exploratory Research

- Conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined

Historical Research

- Analysis of events from the past

Phenomenological Research

- Study of experience from the perspective of an individual; trace if phenomenon is true or not

Action Research
- Solve problems with interventions (classroom