Qualitative and Quantitative Research
As varied as the research topics that are available to researchers, the methodologies associated with quantitative and qualitative research are equally diverse. Once a problem has been identified, the researcher must then decide on the type of data to collect and the methodologies to collect it. What follows is a discussion of three types of qualitative research methods, a description of three quantitative research methods, and examples of each type of research in dissertations completed by students at Northcentral University. Additionally, best practices in dissertation completion for qualitative research will be discussed.
Qualitative Research Methods
Qualitative research is defined by Creswell (2014) …show more content…
As with qualitative surveys, quantitative survey research can consist of cross-sectional or longitudinal research methods (Creswell, 2014). The difference between quantitative survey research and qualitative research is that numerical data is collected as opposed to data that cannot be represented numerically. As described by Cozby and Bates (2012), “survey research employs questionnaires and interviews to ask people to provide information about themselves – their attitudes and beliefs, demographics (age, gender, income, marital status, and so on) and other facts, and past or intended future behaviors” (p. 129). Common types of surveys include questionnaires, mail-in surveys, internet surveys, in-person interviews, telephone interviews, and focus groups (Cozby & Bates, 2014; Leedy & Ormrod, 2010). When conducting survey research, the researcher must choose the proper sampling of the corresponding population. There are two types of sampling, which are probability sampling and non-probability sampling. Probability sampling includes simple random sampling, random sampling, stratified random sampling, and cluster or systematic sampling. Non-probability sampling includes purposive sampling, haphazard or convenience sampling, and quota sampling (Cozby & Bates, 2014; Leedy & Ormrod, 2010). Survey data is often used in conjunction with other study methods, such as correlational studies described below. An example of survey research is the dissertation completed by Hoekstra (2013), in which quantitative data was collected by surveying 148 faculty members from Iowa Community College Online Consortium to analyze the relationship between training the faculty received and job
As varied as the research topics that are available to researchers, the methodologies associated with quantitative and qualitative research are equally diverse. Once a problem has been identified, the researcher must then decide on the type of data to collect and the methodologies to collect it. What follows is a discussion of three types of qualitative research methods, a description of three quantitative research methods, and examples of each type of research in dissertations completed by students at Northcentral University. Additionally, best practices in dissertation completion for qualitative research will be discussed.
Qualitative Research Methods
Qualitative research is defined by Creswell (2014) …show more content…
As with qualitative surveys, quantitative survey research can consist of cross-sectional or longitudinal research methods (Creswell, 2014). The difference between quantitative survey research and qualitative research is that numerical data is collected as opposed to data that cannot be represented numerically. As described by Cozby and Bates (2012), “survey research employs questionnaires and interviews to ask people to provide information about themselves – their attitudes and beliefs, demographics (age, gender, income, marital status, and so on) and other facts, and past or intended future behaviors” (p. 129). Common types of surveys include questionnaires, mail-in surveys, internet surveys, in-person interviews, telephone interviews, and focus groups (Cozby & Bates, 2014; Leedy & Ormrod, 2010). When conducting survey research, the researcher must choose the proper sampling of the corresponding population. There are two types of sampling, which are probability sampling and non-probability sampling. Probability sampling includes simple random sampling, random sampling, stratified random sampling, and cluster or systematic sampling. Non-probability sampling includes purposive sampling, haphazard or convenience sampling, and quota sampling (Cozby & Bates, 2014; Leedy & Ormrod, 2010). Survey data is often used in conjunction with other study methods, such as correlational studies described below. An example of survey research is the dissertation completed by Hoekstra (2013), in which quantitative data was collected by surveying 148 faculty members from Iowa Community College Online Consortium to analyze the relationship between training the faculty received and job