research WITH &

WITHOUT numbers:
An Introduction to Research
Approaches

Week 6
 Stage 4. Develop a research strategy

• Which approach: Quantitative/ Qualitative/

or Mixed-methods approach
->> Which (data collection) instrument/ tool:
Questionnaire Survey/ Interview,
Observation/ or All?
2
 Research Approach/ Design/
Method
 “The plan that describes the conditions and
procedures for collecting information”.
(Hoang Xuan Hoa & Nguyen Thuy Minh, 2007)

 Quantitative Approach
 Qualitative Approach
 Mixed-methods Approach
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Quantitative vs Qualitative
Research
"There's no such thing as
qualitative data.
Everything is either 1 or 0"
Fred Kerlinger

"All research ultimately has

a qualitative grounding"
Donald Campbell
Comparison Criteria:
Quantitative (1) – Qualitative (2)
 Why?
 When?
 Which tools to be used?
 What are data like?
 How is it?
 Sample Research
 WHY?
 (1)  (2)
In quantitative research we The aim of qualitative
classify features, count analysis is a complete,
them, and construct detailed description.
statistical models in an
attempt to explain what is
observed.
Quantitative vs Qualitative

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 WHEN?
 Researcher knows  Researcher may only
clearly in advance know roughly in
what he/she is advance what he/she
looking for. is looking for.
Example: What Example: Why do
pronunciation children in Hanoi start
mistakes do freshmen learning English at the
at SOFL make in age of 7?
English speaking?
 WHICH TOOLS?
(1) Quantitative:
Researcher uses tools, such
as questionnaires or
equipment to collect
numerical data.

(2) Qualitative:
 Researcher is the data

gathering instrument.
WHICH TOOLS/ Instruments?
1. QUANTITATIVE: 2. QUALITATIVE:

 Questionnaires  Interviews (semi-

 Tests structured)
 Audio-taping  Observation
 Interviews  Diaries
(structured)  Field-notes
 Observation  Video-recording
 Photographing

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 DATA?
(1) (2)
Data are in the form Data are in the form

of numbers and of words, pictures or

statistics. objects.
Quantitative data are
Qualitative data are
more efficient, able to
'richer', time
test hypotheses, but
may miss contextual consuming, and less
detail. able to be
generalized.
HOW IS IT?
(1) (2)
All aspects of the The design emerges

study are carefully as the study unfolds.

designed before data
is collected. Researcher tends to
Researcher tends to
become subjectively
remain objectively immersed in the
separated from the subject matter.
subject matter.
2 sample research studies
Difficulties of Prospect of e-
university students learning in studying
in learning listening English at Hanoi
skills University of Science
>> Quantitative or & Technology
Qualitative? Why? >> Quantitative or
Qualitative? Why?
 SS’ Task 1:
Advantages & Disadvantages
Quantitative Approach
 Advantages
-
-
-
 Disadvantages
-
-
-
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 SS’ Task 1:
Advantages & Disadvantages
Qualitative Approach
Advantages

-
-
-
Disadvantages

-
-
-
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 SS’ Task 2:
 Mixed-methods Approach: Mixing methods in data
collection and analysis procedures: Quantitative and
Qualitative (Eg. Questionnaire and Interview)
 There are a number of its advantages over a
mono-method study

-> Why?

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Homework (1):
Choose an approach for your research

 Which approach?

 What factors decide the approach

selected?

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 Homework (2):

 Read the Research Report in the Class Materials again.

 Read Chapter 2. Research Methodology carefully
 Make an outline of this chapter.

 Describe the research approach and data collection

methods used in your group study in about 100 words,
using your own words.

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