Quantitative & Qualitative Research in Analysis & Modeling of Spectacles - Essay Sample

Introduction

Quantitative and qualitative research methods and approaches are applied in scientific research in the analysis and modeling of various spectacles. Qualitative methodology is designed to provide insights on the meaning of actions and complex reality in a specific context. Furthermore, qualitative research focuses on attributes of realism that cannot be counted, concentrate on explaining and comprehending the dynamics of social relations. However, the quantitative research method intends to obtain reliable and accurate measurements to facilitate statistical analysis. Quantitative research methodology emphasizes objectivity and is used when there is a prospect of gathering calculable measures of inferences and variables from a populace sample. Using any approach depends on the method of collecting and analysis of data by the researcher (Daniel, 2016). The study aims to critically evaluate the value and importance of using both research methods.

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Limitations of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research uses various methodologies, including interviews, case studies, focus group, field research, ethnography, and observation. The use of views is time-consuming, requiring prior preparation and physical availability in the study area (Queiros et al., 2017). It is sensitive to the freedom of the analysis of the investigator due to the exclusivity in data interpretation. Furthermore, ethnography is also time-consuming with different results from research creating a challenge to obtain targeted and precise conclusions (Queiros et al., 2017). More so, field research creates difficulty in generalizing and extracting data from a large group of individuals and a challenge in documenting observations. The Focus group may fail to represent the targeted population and challenge in getting people to participate. Also, case studies cannot be developed to suit all subjects and difficulty in generalizing a small community. For instance, in the study of contextual factors in emerging disease, the focus was resource restraints, threats of contamination, ubiquitous deviations, and lingering reservations. The data required for in-depth analysis is lacking, with only data provided for qualitative analysis (Lam et al., 2019). Structured interviews need lots of time to prepare, very inflexible in response choices, and challenging to get data (Queiros et al., 2017). The usage of semi-structured meetings in community and policing provides limited evidence on the more significant police force (Reynolds et al., 2017). Also, in-depth interviews have a more prolonged verification process to extract compared information and poses difficulty in generalizing. The data from the study on infectious diseases is dependent on 26 nurses, which is a small proportion hence difficulty in concluding.

Limitations of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research uses several methodologies, including field tests, replications, surveys, correlation study, and multivariate investigation (Queiros et al., 2017). Infield experiments, there is a challenge in the control of variables hence difficulty in replicating similar conditions. With the problem of controlling the environment, unexpected issues develop, which adversely influence participants and subjects. Also, in simulations, there are model-building strategies that need an in-depth understanding of the field; it is expensive and relatively time-consuming. Some models are complicated such as the model for predicting crimes using a decision tree (Kiani et al., 2015).

Figure 1: Decision Tree model of predicting crimes. More so, the reliability of survey statistics is highly reliant on on the building of the survey and how accurate the answers are from the respondents. Correlation study fails to demonstrate causation due to the relation among two variables that could hypothetically be described as a third variable (Queiros et al., 2017). Multivariate analysis requires the utilization of expensive and sophisticated statistical software which few researchers can afford. For instance, a flow chart demonstrating a framework for predicting crimes based on real-life data (Kiani et al., 2015) tends to oversimplify the situations, and modifications require restructuring and redrawing the complete framework, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.

Figure 2: Flow chart of crime analysis

Potential Issues of Using Qualitative Research Only

Qualitative research, at times, ignores contextual sensitivities focusing further on experiences and meanings. In policymaking, it provides lower credibility to the outcomes and neglects the cultural and social constructions of studied variables. The research method uses a smaller sample size hence the difficulty in generalizing the whole population under study (Rahman, 2016). Furthermore, it creates an issue during data interpretation, which might be complicated or stressful. In this case, the development of the research question and data analysis using the same previously collected data is considered a more continuous and challenging process of conducting research.

Potential Issues of Using Quantitative Research Only

Quantitative research utilizes the positivism paradigm, which fails to account for how social reality is maintained and shaped or ways in which people interpret their actions and other people's actions (Rahman, 2016). Quantitative research only takes a snapshot of a specific phenomenon. The measurements focus on a particular variable disregarding any other attributes that contributed to the final state of the aspect. Also, an issue arises on how the respondent's perspectives and experiences get overlooked in a highly supervised and control environment (Rahman, 2016). In the case of teen and drug abuse, qualitative research is required to assess drug dependency individually to what dependence is perceived as in various social settings and how it is acknowledged and assumed in diverse cultures (Nichter et al., 2004, p. 1924). Nicotine dependence cannot be described as a monolithic spectacle partaking a single system of expression due to the multiple interpretations of tobacco dependence. Also, there are numerous pathways to becoming nicotine dependent. Qualitative research also provides an in-depth insight of the influences that cause individuals to quit using tobacco successfully. Qualitative research is crucial in steering step by step inquiries of methods and close analysis of responses of individuals to different programs. Qualitative research can be used in several phases of drug intervention feedback, assessment, implementation, progress, and planning (Nichter et al., 2004, p. 1952).

The Value Obtained From Undertaking Both Research Methods

The integrating of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies adds some value to research. The mixing of both methods helps in understanding contradictions between the qualitative findings and quantitative results (Wisdom & Creswell, 2013). The use of both methodologies provides researchers with a chance to compensate for integral technique strengths, weakness, and eliminate unavoidable technique biases (Almalki, 2016). The two methodologies reflect participants' viewpoints, ensuring study findings are based solely on participants' experiences. The methods add depth in the multidisciplinary research through promoting the scholarly interaction. It also provides methodological flexibility and is adaptable in various designs of study, including randomized trials producing more information than can only be obtained using one methodology (Wisdom & Creswell, 2013).

Additionally, it collects comprehensive and explicit data that offers a clear picture of the research question. The triangulation of the two techniques provides a change for corroboration and convergence of outcomes from the various methods. Complementarity offers clarification, illustration, enhancement, and elaboration of the issues from one process with results from the other (Almalki, 2016). Development focuses on using the outcomes from one method to inform the other, covering all facets of investigation (Almalki, 2016). The initiation process entails identifying inconsistencies or contradictions with the set of data resulting in the reformulation of questions or raising further inquiry.

References

Almalki, S. (2016). Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data in Mixed Methods Research-Challenges and Benefits. Journal of Education and Learning, 5(3), 288. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v5n3p288

Daniel, E. (2016). The Usefulness of Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Methods in Researching Problem-Solving Ability in Science Education Curriculum. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(15), 91-100.

Kiani, R., Mahdavi, S., & Keshavarzi, A. (2015). Analysis and Prediction of Crimes by Clustering and Classification. International Journal of Advanced Research in Artificial Intelligence, 4(8). https://doi.org/10.14569/ijarai.2015.040802

Lam, S. K., Kwong, E. W., Hung, M. S., Pang, S. M., & Chien, W. T. (2019). A qualitative descriptive study of the contextual factors influencing the practice of emergency nurses in managing emerging infectious diseases. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 14(1), 1626179. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2019.1626179

Nichter, M., Quintero, G., Nichter, M., Mock, J., & Shakib, S. (2004). Qualitative Research: Contributions to the Study of Drug Use, Drug Abuse, and Drug Use(r)-Related Interventions. Substance Use & Misuse, 39(10-12), 1907-1969. https://doi.org/10.1081/ja-200033233

Queiros, A., Faria, D., & Almeida, F. (2017). STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS. European Journal of Education Studies, 3(9). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.887089

Rahman, M. S. (2016). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Methods in Language "Testing and Assessment" Research: A Literature Review. Journal of Education and Learning, 6(1), 102. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v6n1p102

Reynolds, P. D., Fitzgerald, B. A., & Hicks, J. (2017). The Expendables: A Qualitative Study of Police Officers' Responses to Organizational Injustice. Police Quarterly, 21(1), 3-29. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098611117731558

Wisdom, J., & Creswell, W. J. (2013). Mixed Methods: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis While Studying Patient-Centered Medical Home Models. PCMH Research Methods Series: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ Publication No. 13-0028-EF..