What are parameters need to be considered to select whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed approach in research methodology?
Dear Jai Deo Tiwari
Give consideration to (1) your research question(s) (2) the outcomes of interest (3) the gaps in current evidence (4) the research skills and resources that will be needed
Bonjour, pouvez-vous préciser le type de recherche que vous souhaitez mener et quelle en est la problématique ?
Abdelkader Lakjaa
That would exactly be my question, too? What is your research question and what do you want to achieve? This could provide a first hint on what type of method you should consider.
One other parameter is the number of cases (n) and the number of observations (N), the more cases you will want to analyse, the more likely it is that you might choose a quantitative approach. Still another question is: how uch do we know about the case(s) under consideration, the less you know and the more explorative your research will be, the more adequate qualitative approaches might be. A combination and the type of combination of qualitative and quantitative methods also strongly depends on what you want to know. You might start with some case studies and then develop e.g. hypotheses to be tested in a large n statistical study, or vice versa, you might do a statistical analysis and find some outliers that you then analyse in a more qualitative case study.
Dear Jai Deo Tiwari
Give consideration to (1) your research question(s) (2) the outcomes of interest (3) the gaps in current evidence (4) the research skills and resources that will be needed
Dear Dr. Jai Deo Tiwari,
Thank you for your very important question.
In recent years, along with studying research methods, I have raised this question several times in my classes. I have completed the answer to this question with the help of my students. Now, after three years of study and teaching in the research methodology, I can say that quantitative research methods are methods that work with numbers and are suited to study performance. For example, when you want to study a human made system - like the performance of a piece of a device - the tools of a quantitative research method - such as a questionnaire-are appropriate. But if you want to study human beings and human behaviors in the organization and so on, it's better to use qualitative methods. Because humans have sensation, emotion and wisdom, and human behaviors have complexities that can be studied with tools such as interviews. So, it's better to ask the respondent to talk to us! He/She is not a ticking machine; He/She is like us.
So my answer may seem somewhat philosophical, but at least it's very interesting to me. This answer has changed the direction of my research studies.
As for the mixed method, I have to say that it has three modes. Mode one: Study of both methods in a synchronous manner that has a comparative aspect. Second mode: First, the study is a quantitative research method and the second is a qualitative research method. First, with the help of quantitative tools such as the questionnaire, factors are identified, and then relations between them are created with qualitative tools such as interviews and documentary evidence. Third Mode: First, the study is based on qualitative research method and then a quantitative research method. The third mode has exploratory and modeling aspects. In most PhD theses, the researcher first acquires the qualitative factors and then analyzes the quantitative study using the structural equation modeling software and presents the final model of the research.
Your very good question, has increased my motivation to write a book in this field! Of course, I promise you that none of these research methods - although some of them are new methods - no longer respond to today's human needs for precise, complex and fast research, and we have to wait for a renaissance in the research methodologies. very soon!
When we say mixed approach? Exactly what does it mean?
How can we draw line between qualitative and quantitative in mixed approach? Is there any standard way of doing this or just based on test scenarios, data we can come out with something which may be less than best?
It sounds like you need to read some introductory material on mixed methods research. Creamer has a good introductory textbook and the text by Creswell and Plano-Clark is a bit more advanced..
Dear all,
Is there any latest good publication where Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Analysis or anything in current trend is showcased with framework.
Attachment will be appreciated.
Qualitative research is effectively used in the study of phenomena where core components, concepts and hypotheses are yet undetermined. This is true for new phenomena but also old phenomena where no one has determined completely core components. There are different types of qualitative approaches and subsequent analysis techniques. Using Phenomenological methods, I interviewed a number of patients who had previously been unconscious, asking them what they experienced. From that study I identified 5 states that patients experienced previously undescribed. In a number of cases, it was clear that when patients were moved, as from a bed to a stretcher, they became more alert to their environment. That can be studied now quantitatively.
Quantitative research is generally more deductive with an application of theoretical or conceptual information. Using the unconscious patient information, it is possible to test an increase in awareness after movement. Those measurements could be done using mathematical models, changes in brain waves, vital signs and so forth.
Most descriptions of the significance of types of research favor quantitative research, with the best being randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the lowest expert opinion and qualitative approaches. I believe qualitative research should be done in many cases first to identify core dimensions.
Mixed methods are tricky because typically they involve using conflicting paradigms. Researchers find themselves interviewing individuals to describe experiences for example in Phenomenological studies at the same time they are applying a hypothesis based on a framework to the same group. It is possible to do and not muddy either approach but difficult.
At this point, the development of the field of mixed methods research is so advanced that it is unlikely that any one article will be satisfactory as a "good publication where Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Analysis or anything in current trend is showcased with framework." Instead, you will need to look at a textbook.
There are some great answers here, but Nyawera's original answer sums it all up very well in my opinion.
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