Human Rights study: qualitative or quantitative?
Qualitative and Quantitative are the two main methods, which can be used for a research. Some writers on methodological issues argue that it is important to understand the differences between the two. The main distinction is that quantitative researches appoint the measurements, whilst qualitative researcher appoints theory. Many writers see differences deeper with respect to their research (Bryman, 2008 pp.21-24). Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses. This essay will try to explore both methods, how would it work in the Human Rights field. The first part of this essay is a brief discussion about the field of human rights and both research methods available to use. The second …show more content…
Which one is better to use largely depends on the goal of the whole project. Is the writer interested in a systematic approach and wants to produce comparable data, or is he/she trying to produce a thick description on a particular situation, case, or context? The two options require different planning for research, and it should be followed by the specific outline (Creswell, 2008). However, the combination or a mixed method approaches are possible too and from the practise, it seems to be a useful way of solving many problems, which might arise from adopting a single method (Bryman, 2008 pp. 23-24). On the other hand, Coomans, Grünfeld, and Kamminga (2010) argue that there is no single, preferred research method for carrying out a research in the field of human rights. The research can be done well in both, qualitative or quantitative ways. The method should flow logically from the projects research question practical considerations, i.e. information, financial sources, the period of time available, and the qualifications of the research. It is very important the research to be done …show more content…
Quality raise questions such as what, how, when and where. It refers us to meanings, concepts, characteristics, symbols, metaphors, descriptions of things and this is what social sciences are about (Berg, 2001). The author of a project might go into serious difficulties if he/she chooses to use quantitative methods in studying human rights data in both historical and contemporary studies (Goldstein 1986). According to Coffey (1996), doing qualitative research can be painful, it takes more time to analyse and investigate materials, it requires a greater when clarity comparing to the other school of thought. However, as Dabbs (1982) remarks, the projects based on qualitative data are often given more
Qualitative and Quantitative are the two main methods, which can be used for a research. Some writers on methodological issues argue that it is important to understand the differences between the two. The main distinction is that quantitative researches appoint the measurements, whilst qualitative researcher appoints theory. Many writers see differences deeper with respect to their research (Bryman, 2008 pp.21-24). Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses. This essay will try to explore both methods, how would it work in the Human Rights field. The first part of this essay is a brief discussion about the field of human rights and both research methods available to use. The second …show more content…
Which one is better to use largely depends on the goal of the whole project. Is the writer interested in a systematic approach and wants to produce comparable data, or is he/she trying to produce a thick description on a particular situation, case, or context? The two options require different planning for research, and it should be followed by the specific outline (Creswell, 2008). However, the combination or a mixed method approaches are possible too and from the practise, it seems to be a useful way of solving many problems, which might arise from adopting a single method (Bryman, 2008 pp. 23-24). On the other hand, Coomans, Grünfeld, and Kamminga (2010) argue that there is no single, preferred research method for carrying out a research in the field of human rights. The research can be done well in both, qualitative or quantitative ways. The method should flow logically from the projects research question practical considerations, i.e. information, financial sources, the period of time available, and the qualifications of the research. It is very important the research to be done …show more content…
Quality raise questions such as what, how, when and where. It refers us to meanings, concepts, characteristics, symbols, metaphors, descriptions of things and this is what social sciences are about (Berg, 2001). The author of a project might go into serious difficulties if he/she chooses to use quantitative methods in studying human rights data in both historical and contemporary studies (Goldstein 1986). According to Coffey (1996), doing qualitative research can be painful, it takes more time to analyse and investigate materials, it requires a greater when clarity comparing to the other school of thought. However, as Dabbs (1982) remarks, the projects based on qualitative data are often given more