Tutorial Questions Week 8

Differences between qualitative and quantitative

Quantitative	Qualitative
Seeks out the ‘why’ researcher can be away from instrument	Usually concerned with ‘how often’ researcher need to be as instrument
Method is standardised (structured questioning)	Uses a varied questioning- open-ended, unstructured, flexible questioning
Large sample size	Small sample size
Generalised results (numerical statistical data) artificial experimental setting	In depth results natural setting
Reliable data	Data may not be reliable

Types of research method

Quantitative

1)      Questionnaire surveys

2)      Telephone surveys

3)      Mail surveys

4)      Structured personal interviews/ Mall interviews

5)      Internet/ Email/ Web surveys

6)      Content analysis

Qualitative

1)      Focus group

2)      Field observation

3)      In depth/intensive interviews

4)      Case studies

5)      Ethnography

6)      Textual analysis

Advantages of Quantitative

-          Testing and validating already constructed theories about how and why phenomena occurs

-          Testing hypothesis that are constructed before the data is collected

-          Can generalize research findings when that data are based on random samples of sufficient size

-          Useful for obtaining data that allows quantitative predictions to be made

-          Data collection using some quantitative methods is relatively quick
       accurate and precise results.
       can be generalised (sample size)
       convenience, under control (setting)

Disadvantages of Quantitative

-          Researchers categories that are used might not reflect local constituencies understandings

-          Researchers’ theories that are used might not reflect local constituencies’ understandings

-          The researcher might miss out on phenomena occurring because of the focus on theory or hypothesis is testing rather than on theory or hypothesis generation

-          Knowledge produced might be too abstract and general for direct application to specific local situation, contexts and individuals
      time consuming (sample size)
     

Advantages of Qualitative

·       Data based on the participants’ own categories of meaning

·       Useful for studying a limited number of cases in depth s

·       Useful for describing complex phenomena s Provides individual case information

·       Can conduct cross-case comparisons and analysis

Disadvantages of Qualitative

·       Knowledge produced might not generalize to other people or other settings (i.e., findings might be unique to the relatively few people included in the research study).

·       It is difficult to make quantitative predictions.

·       It is more difficult to test hypotheses and theories with large participant pools.

·       It might have lower credibility with some administrators and commissioners of programs.

·       It generally takes more time to collect the data when compared to quantitative research.

2)

(i)                          Nominal- Malay, Chinese, Indian, Scottish

(ii)                Ratio- 0,2,4,6

(iii)               Interval- Not happy, Still okay, Neutral, Happy, Very happy

(iv)              Ratio- 0,2,4,6

(v)                Ordinal- SPM, Diploma, Bachelor degree, Master degree