Which method is suitable when you are a beginner in research programme? Often researchers get confused with the appropriateness of methodology and its clarity in a research. They explore literature, contact experienced researchers and faculty to know ‘how to decide Qualitative or Quantitative method’?
I discussed this context (of deciding the methodology) with my colleague and he explained the process ‘how to decide a methodology that is appropriate for a study’. He stressed a lot to go by “Philosophy of Research” and motivated me to refer this in detail while deciding research plan for any research question.
He was focusing on – without having a perspective of “Research Philosophy” it is difficult to understand the methodology. He says, “Its not about Qualitative, Quantitative or Mixed – it is much based on your assumptions and research phenomenon that you are trying to study” .
Hello,
Maybe if you think about what type of research i.e. open ended questions as opposed to something more structured, etc. but John W Creswell has done a lot in this field:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John_Creswell2/publications?sorting=newest
This might be helpful - see Ch 10, p263:
Creswell JW, Research design qualitative quantitative and mixed methods approaches. 4th edition.
https://www.researchgate.net/file.PostFileLoader.html?id=5937a464404854293966a5cf&assetKey=AS%3A502508574265344%401496818788106
Very best wishes,
Mary
Thank You Mary, The book by Creswell JW on "Research design qualitative quantitative and mixed methods approaches" is really useful.
It depends on the approach you want to take to the study object.
For quantitative methodology to exist, it is necessary that among the elements of the research problem there be a relationship whose nature is representative of some numerical model, whether linear, exponential or similar. That is to say, that there should be clarity between the research elements that make up the problem, that it should be possible to define it, to limit it and to know exactly where the problem begins, in what direction it goes and what type exists among its elements:
Its nature is descriptive.
It allows the researcher to "predict" consumer behavior.
Research methods include experiments and surveys.
The results are descriptive and can be generalized.
Qualitative research or methodology is the type of linguistic- semiotic-based research method used mainly in the social sciences. 1? Qualitative techniques are usually considered to be all those other than the survey and the experiment. That is, open interviews, discussion groups or participant observation and observation techniques. Quantitative research assigns numerical values to statements or observations, with the purpose of studying possible statistical methods to study the relationships between variables, 2? while qualitative research collects the complete discourses of the subjects, then proceed to their interpretation, analyzing the relationships of meaning that occur in a given culture or ideology.
I would place less emphasis on the philosophy of research and more on the clarification of your research goals. In particular, the typical goals in qualitative research are to develop new insights ("theory") through an interpretation of the data you collect, typically through open-ended interviews. In contrast, quantitative data typically tests hypotheses derived from prior theory, using statistical analysis of closed-ended interview questions.
I would replace 'philosophy of research' with episteme and ontology. One has to be aware of these before deciding upon the research design for an inquiry. In addition, the objective of the inquiry-whether one wishes to explore or explain or both, would determine the type of methodology.
Useful text: Lincoln, Y.S. and Guba, E.S. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry (Vol. 75). Sage.
Epistemology and ontology are the core of what many people think of as the "philosophy of research." But spending time thinking about the nature of truth and reality will not get any research done. Instead, as I recommended above, you would be better off to devote effort to deciding what research question(s) you want to ask and what are the most appropriate methods for answering those questions.
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