'Exploring Qualitative and Quantitative Research Essay\r'

'In psychological science, answers to our questions ar non as succinct as in other types of sciences, and the findings essentially front upon the underlying epistemology employmentd. This essay try ons to define and attend the handle of soft and numerical seek. It lead address the varied epistemologies and methodologies of each paradigm, and bearing to give you a brief overview of the ii master(prenominal) explore methods underlying scientific knowledge. qualitative question is often entirely defined in contrast to quantifiable explore; That is, it does not involve statistics, nor does it appear on the level of objectivity that characterises the duodecimal approach. While decimal question aims to categorise segmenticipants in numerical form by creating statistical models to answer specific hypothesises; qualitative look into does not start with a specific hypothesis, instead it seeks to understand behaviours, and experiences (McQueen & angstrom; Knussen, 2013, p.422). Qualitative seekers tend to operate under incompatible epistemological beliefs than that of denary look intoers. foreign numeric inquiryers who apply fixed instruments with itty-bitty flexibility, Qualitative enquiryers deliver questions to emanate and recast themselves as the look into unfolds (Krauss, 2005, p. 759).\r\nThe qualitative police detective is engaged in the world they investigate, creating an unorganized and reflective element to the research, where the researchers’ knowledge, emotive fundamental inter exertions, and past tense experiences all form a part of the research (Ponterotto, 2010, p.583). According to Guba and Lincoln (as cited in Ponterotto, 2005, p.128) there atomic number 18 four of import research paradigms: post favorableness, bring inivism-interpretivism and the critical-ideological and positivism perspective. Of these four paradigms, positivism is solely adopted in the quantitative approach, whereas the threesome remaining paradigms atomic number 18 utilize in the qualitative approach (Ponterotto, 2010, p.581). Postpositivism is establish on critical realism, and uses traditional qualitative methods, in as quantifiable modal value as is possible.\r\nPostpositivists believe that although there is a military personnel race independent of human consciousness, wiz cig artte never truly pose an objective lens view of this reality (Ponterotto, 2005, p.129). Postpositivists watch over that although the researcher may have nearly influence on the research, the maintenance of objectivity remains crucial in the research process (Ponterotto, 2005, p.131). Whilst the postpositive paradigm adopts a modified dualist/objectivist approach, the constructivism-interpretivism paradigm is based on relativism. Constructivists conceptualize reality to be see differently by each individual, as opposed to cosmos an external and rum reality. (Ponterotto, 2005, p.129). Ponterotto (2005) considers the co nstructivist paradigm as transactional and subjective, make the interaction among the researcher and player carmine in capturing the â€Å"lived experience”; with the researcher and participant, to suither, construct the findings from their interactions (Ponterotto, 2005, p.129-131). Like constructivists, the criticalists conclude that reality is constructed within a social-historical context, the difference being, that criticalists conceive reality through power relations and use their research to understand victims of oppression and seek to uncover structures of power (Ponterotto, 2005, p.130-131).\r\nThe researcher’s values play a mark role, as participant empowerment and freedom are the researcher’s goal. Relationships between researchers and participants are subjective and transactional with the kind being dialectic in nature (Ponterotto, 2005, p.130-131). In contrast to the qualitative paradigms, the main feature of quantitative research is that it mirrors the natural sciences by adopting a positivist approach which is dualist and objective in nature. Positivism assumes the hypothetico-deductive method, that is, researchers start tabu with a research question and hypothesis, and past formulate a federal agency of step or proving it (Ponterotto, 2005, p.128). Ponterotto (2005) further states that the aim of quantitative research is the prediction, and control of changeables that washbasin be expressed as mathematical formulas to envision functional relationships. These differing ontological approaches bring to soak up differing methodological approaches. Methodology refers to the processes and procedures of the research. seek methods apply include observation, interviews, focus groups, surveys, scale studies, questionnaires and outline of text (Ponterotto, 2005, p.132).\r\nObservational research is non-experimental research where a researcher observes ongoing behaviour. It lowlife be unstructured, semi-structured , structured, participant or non-participant (Wellington& axerophthol; Szczerbinski, 2007, p.80). Some restrictions to this type of research are language and cultural barriers as tumesce as the risk of observer bias, with adept of the advantages being that the researcher gains access to tuition they normally wouldn’t have. Observation is typically used in qualitative research, just can be used in quantitative research prior to conniving questionnaires (Wellington& adenosine monophosphate; Szczerbinski, 2007, p.80). As with observation, interviews and focus groups can be structured, semi-structured and unstructured, and can use photographs, notes, videos and show recordings to improve data quality. Interviewing allows the researcher to pathfinder and prompt things that we cannot observe, it as well allows us to get an soul of the participant’s storey of the phenomenon (Wellington& angstrom unit; Szczerbinski, 2007, p.86). Some limitations can be the use of vag ue questions, and excessive trace and questioning by the interviewer, which can extort the quality of data.\r\nInterviewing is typically utilised in qualitative research, simply can be used in quantitative research utilise crockedd ended questions (Wellington& deoxyadenosine monophosphate; Szczerbinski, 2007, p.86). Another form of methodology is that of baptistry studies which are an in depth observations of a single subject, or a thin group of individuals. Case studies are deemed usable in trying to understand multifactorial mental phenomenon that either are not well understood or cannot be replicated experimentally (Burton, Westen, & Kowalski, 2012 p.55). deuce concerns of using this methodology is observer bias and generalisability collect to the small take in size, however, this can be overcome by using a multi-case- psychoanalyze method. This methodology is typically used in qualitative research, however, can also be used in quantitative research (Burton, Weste n, & Kowalski, 2012 p.55). As with case studies, questionnaires and surveys are a form of descriptive research. It involves questions well-nigh behaviours and beliefs using a larger sample size (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.96). One limitation is the lack of interpretive opportunity, and unintended general bias.\r\nSurveys and questionnaires are largely used in quantitative research using close ended questions, but can be used in qualitative research using open ended questions. (Wellington& Szczerbinski, 2007, p.96). The main difference between the fields of get word emerge when we look at the methodologies of data depth psychology. Frost (2011) identifies four main methods of data digest in qualitative research, these are grounded theory, interpretive phenomenology (IPA), discourse synopsis, and autobiography analysis. Grounded theory entails creating categories and themes and because conducting comparative analysis to generate hypothesis. IPA analyses data by endeavouring to launch sense of the participant’s experiences by coding reoccurring patterns and hearts throughout the text. Discourse analysis involves analysing and deconstructing spoken, written, or any significant semiotic event and assigning meaning to it. biography analysis focuses on the way race use stories to interpret and give meaning to the world and provides a useful way for the researcher to explore and describe realities (Frost, 2011, p. 19-94).\r\nTwo other forms of methodology commonly used, but not discussed here, are ethnography and action research. (McQueen & Knussen, 2013, pp.430-433). Conversely, the core concepts of quantitative research are generalizability, reliability, objective measurement, and grimness, coupled with three types of research methods including correlational designs, experimental designs, and descriptive designs (VanderStoep & fannyson, 2008 pp.91-108). Whereas correlation and descriptive designs involves identifying th e relationship between dickens variables, experimental designs allow researchers to make claims of casual inference, which looks at which variable is the cause and which is the effect (VanderStoep & Johnson, 2008 pp.91-108). duodecimal data is analysed using statistical analysis which is made up of descriptive and inferential statistics, and include the, T-test, correlation, standard deviation, mode, mean, and median and chi-square (VanderStoep & Johnson, 2008 pp47-100). In summary, qualitative and quantitative research methods have a lot to scissure in psychological research, but with every research approach there are strengths and weaknesses. Whilst some theorists argue that psychological research can be distorted by subjectivity, others argue that not all human behaviour and thinking is always stringently logical.\r\nWhilst qualitative methods are more age consuming and harder to carry out, they emphasise validity and data quality; and while quantitative methods are often thought of as rigid and providing limited data, it ensures reliability (Hayes, 2000 pp. 169-170). It can be seen from the above discussion that different research questions, require different research approaches. Susan O’Neill (1999) conducted a qualitative case turn over to examine facets of a women’s personality and subjectivity in her meter reading of surviving with OCD. The research was conducted in two semi-structured interviews. In the first interview the participant was asked to tell her story about living with OCD. A discursive analysis was then conducted on the narrative and presented to her in the secant interview; she was then asked to analyse her reactions to the analysis and provide further clarifications, which identified different aspects of personality of OCD sufferers not previously identified. This study demonstrates the value of using reflexive interviews in order to get a deeper understanding of the participant. In contrast, a study conduc ted by Porche et al. (2012) in which cognitive performance was time-tested in repairer patients would not be suitable for qualitative methods. This research utilised tasks to measure psychomotor performance, memory, attention and administrator function.\r\nDue to the nature of the research and measurement tools used, it would only be suitable to ensure this research as quantitative. In goal psychological researchers should clearly understand the study’s purpose and goals before tone at methodology and paradigms to ensure they use a paradigm suitable for the research goal or even consider using mixed research designs. It is also important to understand that the quality of the research is anchored to the correct use or combining of research paradigms, which ultimately should complement and choke the research goal (Ponterotto, 2005, p.132).\r\nReferences\r\nBurton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. (2012). psychological science: 3rd Australian and New Zealand edition. Br isbane: John Wiley & Sons. Frost, N. (2011). Qualitative research methods in psychology: Combining core approaches. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com Hayes, N. (2000). Doing psychological research. Buckingham: Open University Press. Krauss, S. E. (2005). Research paradigms and meaning making: A primer. The Qualitative Report, 10(4), 758-770. Retrieved from\r\nhttp://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR10-4/krauss.pdf\r\nMcQueen, R. A., & Knussen, C. (2013). launch to research methods and statistics in psychology: A practical guide for the undergraduate researcher (2nd ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. O’neill, S. (1999). Living\r\nwith neurotic disorder: A case study of a woman’s gimmick of self. Counselling psychological science Quarterly 12(1) 73-86. inside: 10.1080/09515079908254079 Ponterotto, J. G. (2002). Qualitative research methods: The fifth array in psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 30(3) 394-406. doi: 10.1177/0011000002303002 Ponterotto, J. G. (2005). Qualitative research in counseling psychology: A primer on research paradigms and philosophy of science. Journal of Counseling Psychology 52(2), 126-136. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.126 Ponterotto, J. G. (2010). Qualitative research in multicultural psychology: Philosophical underpinnings, customary approaches, and ethical considerations. Cultural Diversity and heathen Minority Psychology, 16(4), 581-58. doi:10.1037/a0012051 Porche, H. K., Umbricht, A., Klevkamp, B. A., Vandrey, R., Strain, E. C., Bigelow, G. E., & Mintzer, M. Z. (2012). simile of cognitive performance in methadone maintenance patients with and without current cocaine dependence. do drugs and Alcohol Dependence, 124 (1-2) 167-171. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.12.009 Wellington, J. & Szczerbinski, M. (2007). Research methods for the social sciences. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com VanderStoep, S.W., &Johnson, D. D. (2008). Research methods for terrene life: blending qualitative and quant itative approaches. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com\r\n'