Introduction to Social Research, Essay Example

Quantitative and qualitative design approach

According to reliable sources, both qualitative and qualitative design is almost similar. However, they are differentiated in a very small degree. For instance, qualitative design will perfectly deal with the broad range of different methods and approaches, which considerably vary in terms of assumptions, focus, and nature of the knowledge and the role of the researcher. On the other hand, quantitative research entails systematic, objective, and formal process of obtaining information about the world (Camic, Rhodes, & Yardley, 2003). Having illustrated the above, it is worth noting that this paper will cite references from two template of both qualitative and quantitative research.

In the Concept Paper Best Practices template, qualitative design has been used several to bring out a point. One of the examples is when the researcher affirms, “…..Glaser and Strauss introduced scholars to Grounded Theory Methodology in 1967, and it continues to be discussed and elaborated on to this day. When referencing a seminal source for the first time you may wish to identify it as such in your writing.” First, this is a design that deals with a case study. As one of the research designs, it explains the theory of grounded methodology that was formulated in the year 1967.

Again, the article explains how to make a good annotated bibliography, “When developing an annotation for a research report, be sure to include specifics about the research design including the number of participants, the statistical tests that were used, limitations, and delimitations and so on. Noting these kinds of details will make your annotated bibliography a more valuable tool as your work continues”. Here, it clear that this brings about a systematic subjective approach hence describing the real experience of annotated bibliography and giving it its meaning. This is a good form of qualitative design, as it correlates with what has been stated in the definition that this type of design perfectly deals with a broad range of approaches and methods of research, therefore, annotated bibliography is a method of research.

Lastly, the Concept Paper Best Practices template also displays qualitative design in a perfect manner. The article explains that “…Hopefully it will motivate you to seek out a published survey and abandon the idea of creating your own. If you do create your own, it must be thoroughly validated, if you use an instrument that has never been validated there will be a huge looming question throughout the study: are the findings valid and reliable…” This again illustrates the role of the researcher. Moreover, as earlier own stated, that the qualitative method will always give out a role of the researcher, here the same has approach has been acknowledged here. The aim of the researcher here has been identified when the author asserts that “…will motivate you in finding published survey. Generally, the above are some few noted examples of a qualitative design mode. In addition, since qualitative will always match of related with quantitative, it should be noted that the article has also touched on quantitative design though in a very limiting scenario. For example, the article affirms that “Developing your own survey is an extensive and demanding process and will add a significant amount of work to your dissertation process. Although you are strongly encouraged to use a published instrument that is already validated, Designing Surveys: A Guide to Decisions and Procedures by Czaja and Blair (2005) is a good book to explore the process of developing your own instrument”. This is a good example of Quantitative design; simply, the article here gives a clear point on how to extra information from the world. And as defined, Quantitative design is a systematic way of obtaining information from the world, then this part fits in well.

On the other hand, the NCU Template has its evidence of both the qualitative and quantitative technique. First, the article claims “Northcentral Milestone Document Templates represent the standards of the research and academic communities for research writing. In addition, the Concept Paper Template (CPT) provides the framework for the structure and content of the Dissertation Proposal, which, in turn, provides the framework for the Dissertation Manuscript. Therefore, it is important for students’ Concept Papers to adhere strictly to the templates in terms of content, organization, and format. In addition, the template serves as a valuable guide to the logical flow of the document, ensuring alignment among the problem, purpose, and methodological design and analysis, allowing the reason for, and the nature of, the study to be fully clarified…..” this can as well be a good qualitative use observation. The above passage has dealt with a wider range of study that primarily varies in assumptions and nature. For example, the fist and the second line do not portray the same assumption, though logically interconnected. This perfectly gives a clear example of varied approach although giving out a certain assumption (Creswell, 2003).

The article further points out that “…The documented problem that is identified may be a practical problem or issue in the profession or study context for which there is not already an acceptable solution. In defining the problem a clear discrepancy must be drawn between that which exists currently and that which is desired…” In the same way, this can be categorized as a qualitative design. In this way, the role of the researcher has also been identified, and his position outlined. In addition, as in the definition, qualitative design gives out a clear knowledge of the researcher. The same has been identified here (Hoskins, 2004).

Lastly, the article also has portrayed a sense of quantitative research in style. For instance, “….the purpose statement should be one concise paragraph that describes the intent of the study and it should flow directly from the problem statement. Specifically address the reason for conducting the study and reflect the research questions. Begin the purpose statement with a succinct sentence that indicates the study method and overarching goal…” Here the article is talking about the thesis statement, which the author here literally refers to it as a statement of purpose. In quantitative design, most reliable sources affirm that it should systematically, informative and subjectively extract a form of information. Doing this, enables the design to extra the information from the world. In addition, according to the definition, this is the main point of action of a quantitative research (Punch, 1998).

It is of no offense to illustrate that there are many examples of both quantitative and qualitative design in the above articles. However, the above are some few sampled designs, for illustrative purposes. The two has so far formed a major argumentative research design, which has also proved to be pertinent and very helpful for researchers.

References

Camic, P. M., Rhodes, J. E., & Yardley, L. (2003). Qualitative research in psychology: expanding perspectives in methodology and design. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.

Hoskins, C. N. (2004). Research in nursing and health understanding and using quantitative and qualitative methods (2nd ed.). New York: Springer Pub. Co..

Punch, K. (1998). Introduction to social research: quantitative and qualitative approaches. London: SAGE Publications.

Saks, M., & Allsop, J. (2007). Researching health: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications