Comparison of Research Methodologies (Essay Sample)

Comparison of Research Methodologies
Name:
Instructor:
Subject:
Date:
Executive summary
This essay takes a look into various approaches applied by researchers. The study’s aim is to compare various methodological approaches through critical analysis as well as evaluation. The study therefore compares approaches qualitative and quantitative and a mixture of the two approaches by identifying their knowledge claims, their inquiry strategies, their research frameworks and the involved processes and procedures. Discussions, evaluations and analysis of methodology approaches applied are based on a review of literature concerning the various concepts in use and their philosophical foundations. The study identifies three common paradigms from which research concepts are founded. The paradigm include post positivist, constructivist and transformative and pragmatists. The findings points to the nature of study and philosophical perspectives as factors responsible for the differences in approach.
Introduction
Research can be conducted using an array of methodologies and the research question mainly dictates the methodological choice. Depending on various techniques a researcher chooses to use while conducting a research, a reflection of differing paradigms is notices and hence a difference in scientific though. Research from a general perspective is carried out through the use of various methodological approaches. These approaches on the other hand are based on various differing paradigms. The common paradigms from which methodologies emanate include; positivist and post positivist, constructivist, transformative and pragmatic paradigms (Reimer, 1996). Based on the paradigm focus, a researcher is bound to use certain methodologies as stipulated by the favoured paradigm.
Non-experimental research is the one mostly applied by academics and mainly takes two common forms qualitative and quantitative (Fielding et al., 2001). Quantitative research is mostly aligned to positivists as well as post positivist paradigms and hence qualitative methodologies of data collection as well as analysis are utilized (Reimer, 1996). Contrastingly, qualitative studies align with the constructivist paradigm and hence engage in employing data collecting methods as well as analysis that is qualitative in nature (Allen, 1995). Researchers from this paradigm however sometimes utilize mixed methods which involves the use of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in a synchronized way. In such cases, quantitative data is employed to build on or support qualitative data, a process which deepens a description (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004).
Research is a process characterised by a series of actions which involve data collection, analysis as well as interpretations in a bid to define, hypothesis or predict a phenomenon (Kezar & Talburt, n.d.). Since the methodological concepts used are dictated by their paradigm of choice thereby guiding their research frameworks, this study reviews the existing research methodologies so as to understand their basis and compare the two common methodologies which are quantitative and qualitative.
Literature review
According to Hutchinson and Lovell (n.d.)., while conducting a research, questions like the kind of methods to be used in data collection, the techniques of analysing collected data and how the research findings relate to the originally formulated problem based on their meanings must be answered using an effective research methodology. Methodology in this case refers to the sense of application of various scientific methods to explore a phenomenon (Kezar & Talburt, n.d.). Firestone (1987) also defines methodology as a logical process guided by decision making in research. Methodologies have to contextually mirror a particular paradigm according to Hathaway (n.d.) hence the need to explore common paradigms to understand the basis of commonly used methodologies. Positivism is regarded as a rationalistic paradigm which uses empiricist philosophy (Reimer, 1996).
Positivists define experiences or carry out hypothesis testing through various measurements and observations with the aim of controlling as well as predicting a phenomenon (Reimer, 1996). According to the paradigm, a hypothesis is generated after a series of observations and the contrasting conclusions derived from hypothesis testing are broadcasted (Fielding et al., 2001). Post positivism according to Fakis et al., (2014) assumes that a research is greatly influenced by a series of well formulated theories as much as it is influenced by the hypothesis being tested. Quantitative methods are predominantly utilized by positivist and the most common research methods used include quasi- experimental, experimental and correlation (Bridges et al., n.d).
Correlation approach while using a quantitative methodology involves studying the relationship existing between as well as among variables in a quantitative manner (Dale & Anderson, n.d.). In correlation research, variables are not manipulated and instead data involving the variables is collected and examination of the variable is carried out to determine existing relationships. The experimental method involves a random assigning of participants to study groups (Dale & Anderson, n.d.). The groups are mainly experimental and control groups. Quasi- experimental approach involves a non-random pre-selection process of selecting groups for purposes of testing a variable (Bridges et al., n.d). The methods of collecting quantitative data based on positivism paradigm include experiments, tests, scales and quasi- experiments.
Qualitative methodology in a contrasting way is based on the constructivist paradigm. The paradigm according Mullen (1995) is of the assumption that it is possible for reality to be constructed socially. Qualitative methodology focuses on a formal, systematic and objective procedure of achieving insight into the world (Paley & Lilford, 2011). The methodology effects as well as examines relationships while also testing and describing the relationships (Mullen, 1995). Constructivist researchers therefore according to Holliday (2004) build on the views concerning a particular subject of study, collected from participants. Unlike positivist researchers, constructivists develop new theories rather than commencing with an existing theory in the process of identifying a phenomenon (Benson et al., n.d). The qualitative approach utilizes various methodological approaches among them; phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, historical and case study (Heyink & Tymstra, n.d.).
The concept of phenomenology seeks to identify the uniqueness of situations individuals live in and identifies that reality is subjective therefore individuals have unique realities (Trifonas, 1995). The grounded theory is employed by researchers to explore the social world and identify existing problems and how individuals cope with them (Shabbir, n.d.). Ethnography according to Reeves, Kuper and Hodges (n.d.) involves the process of trying to describe the characteristics of a particular culture to develop a deeper understanding. The historical approach is utilized by researchers who wish to examine past events in a bid to explain the present as well as predict possible future effects (Reeves, Kuper &Hodges, n.d). The case study approach through direct observations as well as personal interactions with participants enables researchers to in an in-depth manner describe individual, group, family and community experiences (Eisenhardt, 1989).The various methods for collecting qualitative data include methods such as participant observations, direct but non-participant observation, field notes and journals and interview et al.
Duke and Mallette (2001) argue that a multi-dimension approach which utilizes both methodologies qualitative and quantitative provides a more complete approach suitable for use in our current social world. Transformative paradigm guides researchers exploit both methodologies and hence use a mixed- methods approach to conduct research. The other paradigm that promotes the use of a mixed-method approach is the pragmatic paradigm. According to Small (n.d), pragmatic researchers focus exclusively on the research question and hence apply all the existing approaches to understand the problem being studied.
Discussion, analysis and evaluation
Research approaches are shaped by various research issues such as research methods, strategies and knowledge claims (Hutchinson & Lovell, n.d.). Research approaches are mostly in the form of three methodologies which include qualitative, quantitative and mixed approaches (Smith & Heshusius, 1986). Researchers utilizing the quantitative approach focus entirely on posts positivist assumptions while in the process of developing knowledge (Bartunek & Seo, n.d.). Quantitative approach is characterised by theory testing, employing measurement as well as observation as a research tool, breaking down of questions, variables and hypothesis into specifics and use of a cause and effect philosophy (Fielding et al., 2001). The approach uses various inquiry strategies to develop knowledge. Based on its philosophical background, quantitative data can only rely on certain inquiry strategies and data collecting instruments capable of yielding statistical data.
Quantitative approaches can therefore be analysed as ones that rely on post positivist knowledge as well as claims, experiments and surveys in the process of developing knowledge. The approaches also utilize methods characterised by predetermined approaches, closed-ended questions and numeric data. The various practices defined by quantitative approaches therefore include; verification of theories or explanations, discovering of variables that require studying, validity as well as reliability standards utilization, numeric...