Critically Evaluating Research Example

Critically Evaluating Research Example Critically Evaluating Research â€" Article Example > Critical Evaluation of Research InformationQuailitative research is a type of scientific research which involves an investigation that seeks to answer quetsions systematically using a predestined a set of procedures to solve the problem. It uses the “bottom up” and the inductive method of research primarily for the purposes of exploration and description in an effort to understand how peple feel, think and experiancetheir lives. Qualitative data is used. Evidence is collected, analaysis of themes, hoistic features and patterns done, and unprecedented findings produced which are applicable beyond the immediate areas tha research is limited to. The findings of a qualitative research are not generalized since the focal point is usually localized, personalized and subjective. Qualtitative research on the other hand is scientific research method that makes use of confirmatory, deductive or “top down” scientifc approach. It is primarily used for explanation, prediction and descr iption of quantitative data. It involves proper application of statistical methods to a large population. It is based on quantitave data and concentatrates on the analysis of diffferent variables. The evdenece is collected and the findings are statistical based on the predeiction (hypothesis. ) The goal of a quantitative research is usually to generalize the findings. Both qualitative and quantitave research methods differ mainly in the objectves of study, kind of resaerch questions used, types data collection instruments, the form of data produced by these instruments and the extent of flexibility of the study design. The following table adopted from Snap Surveys (2011) wesbite summarizes the diffefences between qualitative and quantitave resaerch methods. Table 1. Differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative ResearchQuantitative ResearchAimTo understand the underlying reasons and motivationsTo obtain insights into the circumstances of the problem , getting new ideas and theories for successive quantitatve studiesTo expose the existing trends in views, thoughts and opinionsTo get the generalized result from quantified data analysed on a sample and apply it to the population under study. To determine the ocurrence of different opinions and view in the sample under studyTo get findingd that can be further explored by a qualitative study. Sample Selection and sizeA small number of respodents are usually chosen using a particular quota for non-represenative cases. A randomly selected large group of cases represing the population under study. Collection of DataThe techniques used are either unstructured or semi-structured with the use of individual or focus group interviews The techniques used are structured with the use of questionnaires or telephone interviews. Data analysisThe analytical techniques are on-statistical like thematic analysis. The analytical techniques are statistical like use of descriptive techniques and measur es of central tendency. ResultsInvestigative and exploratory non-conclusive findings that cannot be used for generalizations. Give a basic understanding for further research and decision making. More conclusive findings that are used to make a recommendaions appropriate course of action. Question FormatOpen-endedClosed-EndedThe most important difference between qualitaive and quantitative research methods is flexibility. Quantitaive research methods are generally inflexible. Quantitave research methods such as quetsionnaires and surveys, partcipants are askes the same similar questions in an identical order. The respones expected from the participants are either fixed or “close-ended”. This inflexibility has an advantage in that it allows meaningful evaluation of the responses collected. Qualitative methods on the other hand are flexible allowing more spontaneity and variation of the relationship between the researcher and partcipants. The research questions are usually “ope n-ended” and the wording may vary from one participant to another. The partcipants therefore respond freely in their own words. It is not a simple “yes” or ”no. ”So, how are the two types of scinetific research methods valid in research and to what extent can they be reliad upon to give the required outcome? The validity of a research method refers to the extent to which the findingd of the study gave the outcome which they were designed to give. Reliability of a research study on the other hand refers to ability of the research method to be apllied elsewhere in a similar situation. There are differrent standrds for measures of validity and reliability for quantitative and qualitative research methods in evaluating the quality of a research. The table below shows criteria for explitly evaluating the soundness of both qualitative and quantitave resaerch methods. Table 1. Different criteria for judging qualitative and quantitave research methods.