1qualitative And Quantitative Research Methodsfrank Frimpong Mansouniv ✓ Solved
1 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods Frank Frimpong-Manso University of Phoenix RES709: Research Conceptualization and Design Prof. Marlene Blake December 12th Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods Quantitative research is a study that deals with numbers and logic and an objective bearing. In quantitative research, the main focus of a study is to understand the relationship that exists between one variable and the other, which are dependent and independent variable within a given population. Quantitative research takes a descriptive or experimental measure. An experimental study determines a causality relationship.
On the other end, the descriptive study deals with associations amongst different variables. The experimental and descriptive study mainly involves numbers and data that is unchanging that are detailed convergent reasoning rather than divergent perceptive. The following are some of the characteristics of quantitative study; In the article by Malima & Akech, (2017), which is a quantitative study, the data is collected through the use of structured research instruments which in this case was a questionnaire in which a random sample of 612 people was interviewed. To be able to conclusively determine the relationship that exists between dependent and interdependent variables to make it easy to conclude.
Further, the outcome of the experiment is anchored on a larger sample size that represents the entire population. Therefore, the sample should be picked from a representative population which will help the researchers draw a conclusive analysis of the population. Also, it is necessary that the research population picked brings out the outcome which can be repeated or replicated, this is the best way that the researcher understands that it is reliable enough. When the limitations are incorporated into the study, there are high chances that the outcome of the research can be achieved by repeating the same approach. Marlene Blake Good introduction.
Please ensure sources are cited. Marlene Blake Good content. Please review the APA guidelines for this citation format. 3 Another feature of the quantitative research is that the researcher has a set of questions that are well defined from which the objective answers come from. Therefore, before the stage of data collection is arrived at, the study is carefully designed to enable effective conclusion and outcome is attained.
The outcome reiterated that single parenting has high chances of bringing up a child who may have challenges when it comes to effective performance. Another feature of the quantitative research is that project can be employed to generalize concepts more broadly, forecast future outcome or when to effectively investigate the causal relationships. Additionally, the researchers in quantitative research employ tools like a questionnaire or different computer application which can be used to gather numerical data. Qualitative Research Qualitative research is a study that involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data, usually, text, video and audio. The main motive of the qualitative research is to have an understanding concept, experiences or opinions.
Mostly, qualitative research study collects information that provides an in-depth insight into a problem or to generate new ideas for the research. For instance, in the article by Mulovhedzi (2019), it is evident that opinions and data derived at are non-numerical that can best be analyzed through which every case is uniquely handled. The following are some of the characteristics of qualitative research; The design of qualitative research is often naturalistic; this means that the study aims to understand the real-world situations as they happen naturally. The qualitative research should be nonmanipulative and noncontrolling, this means that the researcher is ready and open to whatever comes the way.
Further, the design should also be emergent. This means that the researcher can be Marlene Blake Good content. Please ensure sources are cited. 4 acceptable of adapting inquiry as the researcher evades complicated designs that eradicate responding to opportunities to follow new tracks of detection as they come through. Another feature of qualitative research lies like data collection.
First, in the article data is collected through observations, interviews that most of the time captures direct quotations about individuals' perspectives and life experiences. The data can also be received from reviewing case studies and critically reviewing material culture. the data collection process consists of personal experience and engagement where the researcher has direct with the people or from the source of the data under investigation. Further, there is empathic neutrality where the study respondents get detailed understanding without being judged. The dynamic system is another feature in data collection, this is where the attention to process, assumption change is continuous especially where the focus rests on an individual, community, or an organization.
The analysis is another characteristic of the qualitative data that should be looked into. When it comes to analysis, there is usually a unique case orientation where an assumption is made that every case is unique and special. Therefore, attention should be given to the different cases that the researcher is studying as well as capturing in entirety, the individuals that are being told from the different cases. Additionally, qualitative research involves inductive analysis which implies immersion into details and particulars of the data collected to understand the patterns and themes that help in deriving to a conclusion. A holistic perspective is another important aspect of analysis.
Here the entire phenomenon that is being studied is understood as a complicated system which surpasses the sums of its parts the intention is to understand the complicated interdependencies and system dynamics. Major Differences Between Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods 5 The major difference between the qualitative and quantitative research methods lies in the process through which data is collected where the quantitative relies on the use of structured tools to collect data while the qualitative uses observations and experiments to obtain data. Another difference between these two research methods is that in the quantitative research method uses numeric, numbers and logic while the quantitative research method uses non-numeric data which mainly involve audio, text, among others.
6 References Malima, J. G., & Akech, P. E. (2017). The Effect of Single Parenting on Students' Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Arusha City, Tanzania. GRIN Verlag.
Malima, J. G., & Akech, P. E. (2017). The Effect of Single Parenting on Students' Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Arusha City, Tanzania. GRIN Verlag.
Mulovhedzi, N. (2019). Challenges encountered by primary school learners from single-parent households to attain academic achievements (Doctoral dissertation). Marlene Blake Good job overall. There are minor areas of opportunity for formatting of the sources. The Reference and Citation Examples in the CWE is a great guide to use for future reference.
RES/709 v4 Research Outline 2 RES/709 Research Outline Frank Frimpong-Manso University of phoenix RES 709: Research Conceptualization and Design Prof Marlene Blake November 23rd 2020 3 Proposed Dissertation Title Title: Children in single parent households face a lot of social and economic challenges, resulting in their emotional, upbringing and educational achievements being affected negatively 1. Problem Statement The problem is that children in single parent households face a lot of social and economic challenges, resulting in their emotional, upbringing and educational achievements being affected negatively. 2. Studies Purpose The aim of this study is to find out the different challenges that children from single households' face and probable solutions to the challenges.
3. Research Questions i) What are the causes of the economic, and social challenges that children brought up in single parent households face? ii) What are the challenges that single parent households face and what effects do they have on student's performance? iii) What are the causes of negative emotions, upbringing challenges and inadequate educational achievement in single household parenting? iv) What are the proposed solutions to overcome the identified challenges? Part 2: Background to the Problem When a child is born, his first place of contact is his own family. As a result, the child's initial socialization and education are obtained from the family. Families, on the other hand, can either be broken or intact.
A broken home is not structurally intact due to separation, divorce, or the parents' death. Such families tend to have detrimental effects on the child, including their Marlene Blake Please review the prior feedback to revise and update the purpose statement. Marlene Blake Please review the prior feedback to revise and update the problem statement. 4 performance in school. The child would also be affected emotionally as children tend to grow morally upright and become emotionally cared for by both parents (Chukwuka, 2018).
In families with two parents, the father always carters for the requirements for the educational advancement of a child while the mother supplements the father's efforts. When one of the parents is absent, such as the father, the mother would not be privileged enough to cater to all the child's basic needs and supervise their academic performance at the same time. This is the same scenario that would occur when the mother is not present in the family. Life in a single-parent household can also stressful for both the parent and child. Such families may be faced with challenges such as inadequate finance.
In a study conducted to confirm if there are differences in the children's educational attainment from single parent households and that of children from intact families, it was determined that the influence is apparent in secondary education (FuÄàk, 2016). The study, therefore, shows there is a significant impact on single parents' households towards the achievements of children educationally. Research Method and Methodology This section entails the chosen methodology to conduct this research. The following are some of the subheadings that will be used to discuss this section, research design, population of the study, sample, and techniques used in the sampling, as well as data collection and the method used and analysis Research design The study will use a descriptive survey design.
The description offers an overview of the data collected from the research participants relating to single parenting and academic achievement of students brought up in single parenting household. Population 5 The study population will comprise of single parents with children in learning institution which will be selected across the country. Further, the students will also be subjected to the study to understand the effects of single parents in their lives. In total, a population of 750 including both parents, students and teachers will be subjected to questionnaires. Sampling Technique The study employs a simple random sampling technique with a sample size of 300 for both students and teachers.
Data Collection Data will be collected through structured methods where questionnaire will be used to collect data from all the respondents. The questionnaire will be developed through a four-point liker scale. Data analysis The data collected from the participants will be analyzed through the use of mean and standard deviation for the research questions while the Z-test was used to help test the null hypothesis at a 0.05 significance level. The above research methodology is selected as it perfectly suits the type of research that should be conducted which is quantitative in nature where the study is aiming at offering an in- depth understanding of the proposed research questions. Appendix B Summary of Research Questions i) Indeed, most single households parenting often face an array of economic challenges.
For instance, when a mother is bereaved, they might be left without a stable source of income. This often makes the children they are upbringing to go through economic 6 hardships as they have to shelve on some of the demands that they have in life. Given the nature of the society, the standards and show off of children on the same level will make the bereaved children have social challenges as they try to fit in. However, it is necessary to find the causes and the remedy to the different social challenges brought about by this issue. ii) Overall, after a person loses their spouse, they undergo through different challenges. These challenges have an impact on children's school performance.
Therefore, the research question ii is seeking to establish the different challenges and the effects it has on the performance of the affected children. iii) According to Calder (2018, p. 421), children brought up by single parents have a tendency of developing emotional imbalance. This may be as a result of the social and economic challenges that they face in general. However, it is necessary to find in details the causes of emotional imbalance that these children face and the effects that this emotional imbalance has on the students' upbringing and performance in school. iv) The challenges identified are quite a number, it is necessary that the dissertation finds out some of the primary solutions to the challenges identified as well as what improvements could be made to make the challenges bearable to bring up better and proficient children by the single parents.
7 References Calder, G. (2018). Social justice, single parents and their children. The triple bind of single- parent families, 421. Chukwuka, F. O. (2018).
Impact of Single Parent on Child Education in Primary Schools in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. International Journal of Innovative Education Research, 6(1), . FuÄàk, P. (2016). Where Are the Effects of Family Structure? The Educational Level, Current Partnership, and Income Level of the Czech Adult Population Socialised in Single-Parent Families.
SociologickའÄasopis/Czech Sociological Review, 52(03), . Marlene Blake Good job overall. There are minor areas of opportunity for formatting of the sources. The Reference and Citation Examples in the CWE is a great guide to use for future reference. Frank Frimpong-Manso University of phoenix
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Introduction
Research is a critical aspect of understanding diverse fields, enabling scholars and practitioners to analyze, investigate, and make informed decisions. At the core of research are two significant methodologies: qualitative and quantitative research. Both approaches provide valuable insights but do so through distinctly different lenses. Quantitative research emphasizes numerical data and statistical analysis, whereas qualitative research seeks to explore human experiences and opinions through non-numerical information (Babbie, 2021). This paper aims to define and differentiate qualitative and quantitative research methods, emphasizing their significance, characteristics, and the contexts in which they are most appropriately applied.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is described as a systematic investigation that primarily involves the collection and analysis of numerical data. This research approach seeks to quantify relationships between variables and to explicitly specify the variables studied before data collection begins (Creswell, 2014). The central aim of quantitative research is to use statistical methods to establish patterns, test theories, or determine causal relationships amongst variables (Bachman & Schutt, 2018).
Characteristics of Quantitative Research
1. Structured Instruments: Quantitative studies typically employ structured tools, such as surveys or questionnaires, to gather data. These instruments are designed to provide uniform responses that can be easily coded and analyzed (Malima & Akech, 2017).
2. Sample Size and Population: A significant defining feature of quantitative research is the emphasis on large sample sizes that represent a larger population, enabling researchers to generalize their findings more robustly (Bryman, 2016).
3. Objective Measurement: Quantitative research focuses on numerical metrics, allowing for objective assessments of phenomena. The reliance on numeric data enables statistical analyses to determine correlations, averages, and significant differences (Dul & Hak, 2019).
4. Hypothesis Testing: Most quantitative studies start with a specific hypothesis that researchers test using statistical methods, often leading to conclusions about relationships between the variables (Creswell & Creswell, 2021).
5. Descriptive and Experimental Designs: Quantitative research often utilizes descriptive or experimental designs, depending on whether the goal is to explore relationships or establish cause-and-effect (Trochim, 2020).
Example of Quantitative Research
In the research conducted by Malima and Akech (2017), the authors utilized a quantitative study design by deploying a questionnaire to a representative sample of 612 participants. This numerical approach allowed them to identify relationships between single parenting and academic performance effectively. They concluded that single parenting likely affects children’s academic achievements, which exemplifies the strength of quantitative findings in drawing broader implications (Malima & Akech, 2017).
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research, on the other hand, involves the collection and analysis of non-numerical data with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of experiences, concepts, and perspectives (Silverman, 2016). It seeks to provide context to human behavior rather than merely measuring outcomes or establishing causal relationships.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
1. Naturalistic Design: Qualitative research typically takes place in natural settings, meaning that it focuses on understanding phenomena as they occur in real-life contexts (Denzin & Lincoln, 2018).
2. Emergent Approach: The design of qualitative studies is often flexible and adaptive, allowing researchers to change their focus based on the data collected, acknowledging the complexity of social phenomena (Creswell, 2014).
3. Subjective Interpretation: Qualitative research often relies on the researcher’s interpretation of participants’ perspectives, which is gathered by observing behaviors, conducting interviews, or analyzing existing materials (Bryman, 2016).
4. Holistic Perspective: Researchers engaging in qualitative studies strive for a holistic understanding of each individual case, emphasizing unique experiences and narratives rather than seeking to generalize findings (Bachman & Schutt, 2018).
5. Inductive Analysis: Rather than testing a hypothesis, qualitative researchers often develop theories and insights inductively, emerging from the data rather than being imposed beforehand (Baker, 2020).
Example of Qualitative Research
In the research by Mulovhedzi (2019), the qualitative approach provided insight into the challenges faced by learners from single-parent households. Utilizing in-depth interviews, Mulovhedzi captured narratives detailing individual experiences concerning academic challenges, which revealed emphatic themes of emotional and social struggles. These findings, derived from qualitative insights, underline the richness offered by qualitative methodologies in exploring complex social phenomena.
Major Differences Between Quantitative and Qualitative Research
1. Data Type: Quantitative research primarily emphasizes numerical data, while qualitative research relies on non-numerical data such as words, images, or audio (Creswell & Creswell, 2021).
2. Research Focus: Quantitative research seeks to establish relationships and causality, while qualitative research aims to understand individuals' experiences and contexts (Trochim, 2020).
3. Analysis Techniques: Quantitative research often uses statistical analyses, whereas qualitative research analyzes patterns and themes within narrative data (Dul & Hak, 2019).
4. Generalizability: Quantitative findings often have stronger generalizability due to larger sample sizes, while qualitative findings may be limited to smaller samples but provide deeper contextual insights (Babbie, 2021).
5. Research Design: Quantitative studies often utilize structured designs, whereas qualitative studies take an emergent and adaptive approach (Denzin & Lincoln, 2018).
Conclusion
Both qualitative and quantitative research methods are invaluable in the landscape of human inquiry. Quantitative research serves to quantify phenomena, allowing researchers to test theories and establish patterns through statistical analyses. Conversely, qualitative research provides depth and context, enabling researchers to explore complex individual experiences and social constructs. Understanding these methodologies and knowing when to utilize each can significantly enhance the research process, offering comprehensive insights into human experiences. Scholars and practitioners must appreciate these distinctions in their work, shaping their research strategies accordingly.
References
1. Babbie, E. (2021). The basics of social research. Cengage Learning.
2. Bachman, R., & Schutt, R. K. (2018). Fundamentals of research in criminology and criminal justice. SAGE Publications.
3. Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.
4. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications.
5. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2021). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications.
6. Dul, J., & Hak, T. (2019). Case Study Methodology in Business Research. Routledge.
7. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. SAGE Publications.
8. Malima, J. G., & Akech, P. E. (2017). The Effect of Single Parenting on Students' Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Arusha City, Tanzania. GRIN Verlag.
9. Mulovhedzi, N. (2019). Challenges encountered by primary school learners from single-parent households to attain academic achievements (Doctoral dissertation).
10. Trochim, W. M. K. (2020). Research methods: Knowledge base. Atomic Dog Publishing.