Thursday, June 13, 2013

Quantitative and Qualitative Research

One of my clients in freelance HR work gave me this questions on Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods. These topics are said to be useful when one is making a study related to Industrial and Organizational Behavior.

1.           Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

a.       What are the distinguishing features of each approach?
Quantitative approach is that method that can be directly measured. Results
in this kind of method is easier to get and more identifiable as it deals
directly with numbers or statistics.
Data gathering is based on figures gathered. It uses questionnaires, surveys,
and other measurable data as tools in getting the result.  As discussed in
Chapter 4, refer to measures that can be more directly tapped with less
likelihood of subjective biases such as total expenses, total number of sales,
accident rate, etc.. Since it gives a definite number result,
quantitative approach is objective in nature.
On the other hand, Qualitative approach is more complex in nature. It does
not deal with numbers or as to how many respondents. It deals on how the
respondents reacted or behaved in a stimulus. It gives a description of the
behavior. It deals more on verbal data instead of numbers. In qualitative
approach, the researcher himself is the primary instrument in conducting the
research. He adapts a data-gathering strategies such as interviews, essay,
narrative and documentary analysis.
b. Discuss the benefits and limitations of each approach.
    Benefits of Qualitative Research Method – One of the prevailing
benefits of qualitative approach is that is answers the how and why and it
can be used in situations where there are no data available. There is also a
detailed information when it comes to data collection because here, the
researcher has to record every reaction of the subjects of research.
It also leaves the participants’ perspective unchanged. The research is as
inclusive as possible because it gives the participants the chance to explain
about their behavior. The researcher himself learns as the process of
research goes because he has to understand the culture of the participants.
Limitations of Qualitative Research Method – As mentioned earlier, the
primary limitation of this method is that the researcher might become biased
When it comes to the interpretation of the data gathered. The researcher
may tend to give his interpretation based on his own point of view. And
since there are no statistical data , it cannot be verified objectively.
Benefits of Quantitative Research Method – This method is easier and
more reliable since data gathering is through numbers and it can be
measured statistically. In that case too, it can be verified objectively.
Limitations of Quantitative Research Method – the use of statistical
Analyses are quite difficult and might make the Analyses complex if
researcher is not careful. It also removes population behavior out of context

which makes it impossible in real setting. 

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