1. What are quantitative and qualitative research designs?

Qualitative research is a method of inquiry that develops understanding on human

and social sciences, to find the way people think and feel.
Quantitative research is a research method that is used to generate numerical data
and hard facts, by employing statistical, logical and mathematical technique.
While the qualitative research relies on verbal narrative like spoken or written data,
the quantitative research uses logical or statistical observations to draw conclusions.

2. Describe the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of those two research

designs.
CHARACTERISTICS:

Qualitative RD Quantitative RD

Nature Holistic Particularistic

Research Type Exploratory Conclusive

Approach Subjective Objective

Data Verbal Measurable

Sampling Purposive Random

Reasoning Inductive Deductive

Inquiry Process-oriented Result-oriented

Elements of Analysis Words, Pictures, Objects Numerical Data

Hypothesis Generated Tested

To explore and discover To examine cause and
Objectives ideas used in the ongoing effect relationship
processes. between variables.
Non-structured Structured techniques
techniques like In-depth such as surveys,
Methods
interviews, group questionnaires and
discussions etc. observations.
Develops initial Recommends final course
Result
understanding of action

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES:

Qualitative RD Quantitative RD
 1. View of homogeneous 1. Reliability by critical
exploration. analyzed.

2. Raise more issues 2. Short time frame for

through broad and open- administered survey.
ended inquiry.
Strengths
3. Facilitated numerical
3. Understanding data for groups and
behaviors of values, extents of agree or
beliefs and assumptions. disagree from
respondents.

1. No objectively verifiable 1. No human

result. perception and
beliefs.
2. Skillful requirement for
interviewers. 2. Lack of resources
Weaknesses for large scale
3. Time consuming during research.
interviewing process and
intensive category 3. No depth experience
process. description.

3. Explain the kinds of both research designs.

There are five main types of Qualitative research: Case study, Grounded Theory,
Phenomenology, Ethnography and Historical.
Case Study attempts to shed light on a phenomenon by studying in depth a single
case example of the phenomena.
Grounded Theory is used to understand the social and psychological processes
that characterize an event or situation.
Phenomenology describes the structures of experience as they present themselves
to consciousness, without recourse to theory, deduction, or assumptions from other
disciplines.
Ethnography focuses on the sociology of meaning through close field observation of
sociocultural phenomena.
Historical is a systematic collection and objective evaluation of data related to past
occurrences in order to test hypotheses concerning causes, effects, or trends of
these events that may help to explain present events and anticipate future events.

On the other hand, Quantitative research has four main types: Descriptive,
Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research.
Descriptive research seeks to describe the current status of an identified variable.
These research projects are designed to provide systematic information about a
phenomenon.
Correlational research attempts to determine the extent of a relationship between
two or more variables using statistical data. In this type of design, relationships
between and among a number of facts are sought and interpreted
Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research attempts to establish cause-
effect relationships among the variables. These types of design are very similar to
true experiments, but with some key differences.
Experimental research, often called true experimentation, uses the scientific
method to establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables that
make up a study.

4. Illustrate the importance of both research designs.

Quantitative research is important in order to attain greater knowledge and
understanding of the social world. It aims to create a general understanding of
behavior and other phenomena across different settings and populations. These
studies are often fast, focused, scientific, and relatable.
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is important as it addresses the how and
why research questions and enables deeper understanding of experiences,
phenomena and context. It allows you to ask questions that cannot be easily put into
numbers to understand human experience.

5. Differentiate kinds of variables and their uses.

There are six common variable types:
a. DEPENDENT VARIABLES show the effect of manipulating or introducing the
independent variables.
b. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES are those that the researcher has control over.
This "control" may involve manipulating existing variables or introducing new
variables in the research setting.
c. INTERVENING VARIABLES refer to abstract processes that are not directly
observable but that link the independent and dependent variables.
d. MODERATOR VARIABLES affect the relationship between the independent
and dependent variables by modifying the effect of the intervening variable(s).
e. CONTROL VARIABLES are not measured in a particular study but, must be
held constant, neutralized/balanced, or eliminated, so they will not have a
biasing effect on the other variables.
f. EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES are those factors in the research environment
which may have an effect on the dependent variable(s) but which are not
controlled.