Qualitative, Quantitative, & Mixed Method Research
What is the Research?
Research means searching for something again and again. If we break the word research into "re" and "search", we will understand that it is a process of searching repeatedly.
Similarly, the process of systematic inquiry is known as research that involves the collection of data; documentation of essential data; as well as examination and understanding of that information/data, as per appropriate philosophies set by unambiguous expert fields and scholastic disciplines.
Additionally, creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge is the definition of research.
It is characterized by particular attention to controlling sources of bias and error and involves the collection, organization, and analysis of evidence to improve understanding of a subject. Controlling for biases in it and accounting for them are hallmarks of these activities.
Which are the Types of Research?
Qualitative research, quantitative research, and mixed-method research are the three main types of research. However, some research experts oppose mixed-method research and do not classify it as a type of research.
All these three main types of research are further subdivided into different sub-types that are further explained below in detail.
1. Qualitative Research
As the study of phenomena and nature, qualitative research is particularly suitable for addressing the reasons why certain phenomena are observed (or not), evaluating intricate multi-component treatments, and concentrating on the enhancement of interventions.
The researcher's observations, interviews, questionnaires on which subjects provide descriptive answers, focus groups, participant observation, recordings recorded in real-world situations, documents, case studies, and artifacts are all sources of data for qualitative research.
Most of the data are not numerical. Ethnography, grounded theory, discourse analysis, and interpretive phenomenological analysis are examples of qualitative approaches.
Sociology, anthropology, political science, psychology, social work, folklore, and educational research have all employed qualitative research methodologies.
Researchers that use qualitative methods examine how people perceive their social world or what is their phenomena about certain perceptions and practices.
Types of Qualitative Research
As we already know that the goal of qualitative research is to learn about an individual's perspective on events and circumstances. Therefore, qualitative research is further subdivided into six main types that are mentioned below.
1. Action Research
2. Case Study Research
3. Ethnography or Ethnographic Research
4. Grounded Theory Research
5. Historical Research
6. Phenomenology or Phenomenological Research
The above mentioned six main types are explained below.
1. Action Research
The philosophy and methodology of action research are typically utilized in the social sciences. Through the simultaneous process of taking action and conducting research, which is connected by critical reflection, it seeks transformative change.
Additionally, in 1944, MIT professor Kurt Lewin first used the term "action research."An interactive inquiry method known as action research combines data-driven collaborative analysis or research to comprehend the underlying causes of personal and organizational change and problem-solving actions carried out in a collaborative setting.
2. Case Study Research
An approach to research known as a case study is used to produce a comprehensive and multifaceted comprehension of a complicated problem in its actual context. It is a well-established research strategy that is frequently utilized across a wide range of fields, particularly the social sciences.
Methods like interviews, observations, peer reviews, and analysis of primary and secondary sources or documents are typically used in case studies to focus on qualitative data.
3. Ethnographic Research
In the social and behavioral sciences, ethnography is a qualitative method of data collection that is frequently utilized. Observations and interviews are used to gather data, which are then used to make inferences about how societies and individuals function. This particular method of research is typically utilized by educators and sociologists.
An anthropologist conducting ethnographic research is one who travels to a specific location, eavesdrops on locals, lives there, and interacts with them for a predetermined amount of time before conducting in-depth research on the local population and culture.
4. Grounded Theory Research
A qualitative method known as grounded theory makes it possible to investigate a specific process or phenomenon and develop novel theories based on the collection and examination of data from the real world.
Similarly, the systematic methodology known as grounded theory has largely been utilized in social scientist-conducted qualitative research.
Through the collection and evaluation of data, the methodology involves the formulation of hypotheses and theories. The use of inductive reasoning is an essential component of grounded theory.
5. Historical Research
The study of history provides a crucial context for comprehending our contemporary society. It can provide insight into global concepts like the development of foreign policy or international relations. By studying historical events, leaders can make well-informed decisions that affect society, culture, and the economy.
In a similar vein, the historical method is the best and most obvious choice for conducting research on society 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0.
6. Phenomenology Research
Basically, phenomenological research is a qualitative method that aims to comprehend and describe a phenomenon's universal essence.
The method suspends the researchers' preconceived notions about the phenomenon while examining everyday human experiences.
Phenomenological research's primary goals are to provide in-depth descriptions of the phenomenon and to discover the truth in people's accounts of their emotions and experiences.
If you want to conduct research on the human psyche, behavior, conduct, practice, perception, and attitude phenomenological research approach is the best choice for you.
2. Quantitative Research
Quantitative research involves data, reasoning, and objectivity. In contrast to divergent reasoning, detailed, convergent reasoning is the emphasis of quantitative research. The goal of quantitative research is to quantify the data collecting and processing process.
It is based on a deductive method that emphasizes the validation of theory and is influenced by positivist and empiricist theories. Quantitative research is the ideal research for pure sciences, statistics, businesses, and economics.
2.1 Types of the Quantitative Research
The process of gathering and analyzing numerical data is called quantitative research. It can be used to test hypotheses, predict on the basis of available results, test causal relationships, find patterns and averages, find patterns and averages, and generalize results to larger populations. Quantitative research is further subdivided into six main types that are given below.
- Correlational Quantitative Research
- Descriptive Quantitative Research
- Experimental Quantitative Research
- Quasi-Experimental Quantitative Research (also known as Causal-Comparative Quantitative Research)
- Sequential Explanatory Quantitative Research
- Sequential Exploratory Quantitative Research
The above mentioned six common types of the Quantitative Research are explained below.
Correlational Quantitative Research
What exactly is the correlational study? A correlational exploration configuration examines connections between two factors or significantly multiple factors without the scientist controlling or controlling any of them. It's a non-exploratory kind of quantitative examination.
Similar to how cause-and-effect relationships can be found in experimental studies, correlational studies enable researchers to determine whether and how strong a relationship exists between variables.
Descriptive Quantitative Research
A type of quantitative research, descriptive research aims to gather measurable data for statistical analysis of the population sample. We can collect and describe the characteristics of the demographic segment using this well-liked instrument for market research.
Similarly, descriptive research is used to describe a population's or phenomenon's characteristics. It doesn't answer questions about when, how, or why the traits happened. Instead, it responds to the "what" query.
Experimental Quantitative Research
Experimental quantitative research helps researchers figure out how the independent and dependent variables are related. Because it involves gathering quantitative data and carrying out statistical analysis for the purpose of the research, Experimental Research Design is an illustration of a quantitative research method.
In addition, the objective of the experimental approach is to arrive at more conclusive conclusions about the causal relationships that exist between the variables in a research hypothesis than correlational research does. Hypotheses or specific assertions regarding the relationship between variables are the objectives of experiments.
Quasi-Experimental Quantitative Research
An empirical interventional study with no random assignment is called a quasi-experiment. It is used to estimate the causal impact of an intervention on the target population. Similarly, quasi-experiments are studies without randomization that aim to evaluate interventions. Like randomized preliminaries, quasi-experiments expect to show causality between intercession and a result.
Sequential Explanatory and Exploratory Quantitative Research
The sequential explanatory design collects data in two phases that coincide over time. As a result, the quantitative data are first gathered and analyzed by a researcher. Subjective information is contained in the concentrate's subsequent stage and is connected with the results from the first, quantitative, stage. Similarly, in sequential exploratory design, qualitative data are gathered first, followed by quantitative data.
When the qualitative strand comes before the quantitative strand in exploratory sequential methods, logical blended strategies studies, then again, are the point at which the personal work is directed after the quantitative strand and gives clarifications to the discoveries of the quantitative examination.
3. Mixed Method Research
Basically, mixed-method research is the combination of inductive and deductive research approaches. Similarly, mixed-method research or blended strategy research incorporates or joins thorough quantitative and subjective exploration techniques to draw on the qualities of each.
Mixed-method research approaches permit specialists to utilize a variety of strategies, consolidating inductive and rational reasoning, and balancing constraints of only quantitative and subjective exploration through a reciprocal methodology that boosts the qualities of every information type and works with a more thorough comprehension of medical problems and possible goals.
To produce a robust description and interpretation of the data, make the quantitative results easier to comprehend, or comprehend the broader applicability of small-sample qualitative findings, mixed methods may be utilized.
Types of Mixed Method Research
Mixed-method research is the new and latest type of research as compared to qualitative and quantitative research. Similarly, this particular research style is being utilized by researchers across the globe. Additionally, there are four major types of mixed-method research that are given below.
- Embedded Research Design
- Explanatory Research Design
- Exploratory Research Design
- Triangulation Research Design
The above mentioned four types of the Mixed Method Research are discussed below.
Embedded Research Design in Mixed Methods
In an embedded mixed method research design, you gather and break down the two kinds of information simultaneously, yet inside a bigger quantitative or subjective plan. The other kind of data is more important. If you don't have much time or money, this is a good plan.
Explanatory Research Design in Mixed Methods
The quantitative research method has been the driving force behind the Explanatory Research Design in Mixed Method, as previously stated. However, in this particular approach, the quantitative portion of the data is gathered first, followed by the qualitative portion.
Exploratory Research Design in Mixed Methods
In Exploratory Exploration Configuration in Blended Technique, a specialist gathers the subjective part first, and afterward, he/she gathers the quantitative piece of the information. The reverse of Explanatory Research Design in Mixed Method is Exploratory Research Design in Mixed Method.
Triangulation Research Design in Mixed Methods
In a mixed-methods triangulation research design, multiple datasets, methods, theories, and/or investigators are used to answer a research question. It is a research strategy that can help you make your results more reliable and trustworthy. The qualitative research method has been the driving force behind the triangulation research design in the mixed method.
You may also read more MCQs by clicking the following given links.
First Educational Policy of Pakistan
Second Educational Policy of Pakistan
Third Educational Policy of Pakistan
Comments