COMPARING RESEARCH METHODS

QUANTITATIVE VS QUALITATIVE
Group C2 Anita Lucien Cherry Shelda St. Ange Esther George Misty Floyd Nigel Fedee

QUANTITATIVE
Purpose: To study relationship, cause and effect Design: Developed prior to study Approach: Deductive; tests theory Tools : Uses preselected instruments Sample: Uses large samples Analysis: Statistical analysis of numeric data

QUALITATIVE
Purpose: To examine a phenomenon as it is in rich detail Design: Flexible evolves during study Approach: Inductive; may generate theory Tools : The researcher is primary data collection tool Sample: Uses small samples Analysis: Narrative description and interpretation

RESEARCH METHODS
Quantitative
Qualitative

Survey

Case Study

RESEARCH METHODS
Critical Action Oriented

Action Research

SURVEY
Definition: Survey research a research method involving the use of questionnaires and/or statistical surveys to gather data about people and their thoughts and behaviors.

Aim: to describe, explain or make generalizations through collection of large scale data.

SURVEY
statistical data, close ended questions.

CONTINUE

Data Collection: large scale questionnaires, interviews (structured),

Analysis procedures: independent of researcher use of numerical data to make generalizations or to explain or describe statistical relationship between variables to deduce patterns and trends.

ACTION RESEARCH
Definition: A research initiated to solve an immediate problem or a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to

improve the way they address issues and solve problems.

Aim: to contribute both to the practical concerns of people in an immediate problematic situation and to further the goals of social science

simultaneously.

ACTION RESEARCH

CONTINUE

Data Collection: use of mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) participant observation or personal observation interviews.

Analysis Procedures: make sense of the data, display results of study: outcome of the intervention reflexivity and reflectivity

CASE STUDY
Definition: A type of ethnographic research study that focuses on a single unit, such as one individual, one group, one organization, or one program.

Aim: To arrive at a detailed description and understanding of the entity case study

CASE STUDY
generalizations to theory.

CONTINUE

Data Collection: A case study can result in data from which

Analysis procedures: Case studies use multiple methods such as interviews, observation and archives to gather data.

REFERENCES
Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2000) Research Methods in Education. Fifth Edition. London: Routledge Falmer. http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/EAP/documents/EXPGOVD5 MethodologyCaseStudyResearchDraft-V1.0-15032010.pdf. http://www.web.ca/robrien/papers/arfinal.html#_Toc26184652