Seeking Qualitative Rigor in Inductive Research, Essay Example

Data Collection is a crucial aspect of all research study. Wrong data collection affects the results of a study and lead to invalid results. In quantitative, methods of research data collection depends on arbitrary sampling and planned data collection instruments, which fit varied experiences into preset reaction categories. They give outcomes that are easy to compare, summarize, and generalize. It involves testing of hypotheses, which result from theory and is able to determine the size of a phenomenon of under study. Depending on the question under research, participants can be randomly assigned to diverse treatments. Objectivity of data collection needs to be maximized.

In qualitative research, data collection method tends to be multimodal with the acknowledgement of one’s personal view on the phenomenon. The concept of validity majorly depends on researcher’s analysis and description (Given, 2008, p. 67). One must also use qualitative terms, which show developing study. The researcher must clearly identify the main concept of study and state the qualitative methods used. In this regard, one must identify the units of analysis.

There are three distinguishing ways for the methods of data collection in qualitative and quantitative research. First, qualitative research uses induction while quantitative research approaches study from theories by induction. Second, qualitative research is based on subjectivity while quantitative is through objectivity in their measurement (Gioia, Corley, Hamilton, 2012, p.15). Finally, qualitative methods concentrate on the context of study unlike quantitative approach, which generalizes. Data collection methods in both qualitative and quantitative research have their own weaknesses and strengths. Even though there is no final guidelines for which methods to use in most areas, the research question remains the major navigator to get the optimum method. This is the reason why there is the practice change to mixed method approach, which is gaining popularity as it satisfies both aspects of quantitative methods and the meaning of qualitative methods. For this particular research, the data collection plan is expected to be based upon both written research and collected data from the survey that is to be handled along with the study. The cross-referencing process in this study shall establish the proper foundation needed to make amends on how modern research is to be handled in accordance with the change to embrace a better sense of the process of service and operation handled at present.

References

Gioia, A., Corley,G., Hamilton, L. (2012). Seeking Qualitative Rigor in Inductive Research: Notes on the Gioa Methodology. Organizational Research Methods, Vol. 16 (1), p.15-31.

Given, Lisa M. (2008). The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. Los Angeles, Calif.: Sage Publications.