Question

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research sampling strategies? Compare and contrast the strategies and describe some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Answer 1

Quantitative reserch deals with numbers and statistics,while qualitative reserch deals with words and meanings.quantitative methods allow you to test a hypothesis by systematically collecting and analyzing data,while qualitative methords allow you to explore ideas and experiences in depth.

Differences between quantitative and Qualitative reserch sampling strategies,

Theory/reserch ratio:

Qualitative reserch-Inductive setting that is articulated in the cobntext of "discovery",the resercher rejects the formulation of theories.theory and reserch work simultaneously.

Quantitative reserch-Sequential phases,based on a dedutive approach that is articulated in the context of "justification".The theory precedes the reserch.

Concepts:

Quali-They seeks to find the character of uniqueness.

Quanti-Definitive and operative,they are the theory and are converted from the beginning into variables.

Relationship with the studied environment

Quali-(active subject)Naturalistic approach:space and actions are analyzed in the present time during the reserch.

Quanti-(passive subject)Experimental approach,the subject is not responsive but this is not a problem.

Serch design:

Quali-Without a structure ,open, in serch of unexpected options,it gets modified in progress

Quanti-Closed structure,planned in advance

Uniformity of ther detection instrument;

Quali-Abcent.not necessarily always the same

Quanti-It is necessary to use a standard

Scope of results

Quali-Limited number of cases

Quanti-Significant number,representativity.

Methodology:

Quali-Observation of the respondent in the focus room,interviews with privileged witnessess.

Quanti-Structured questionnaire for CATI,CAWI or PAPI

Advantages and disadvantages of Qualitative Approach

The Pros:

• Qualitative reserch can capture changing attitude within a target group such as consumers of a product or service,or attitude in the work place
• Qualitative approaches to reserch are not bound by the limitations of quantitative metord.if responses dont fit the resercher expectation thats equally usefull qualitative data to add context and perhaps explain something which numbers alone are unable to reveal.
• Qualitative reserch provides a much more flexible approach.if usefull insights are not being captured reserchers can quickly adapt questions,change the setting or any other variable to improve responses.

The cons:

• Sample size can be big issue.if you seek to infer from a sample of ,for example,200 employees, based upon a sample of 5 employees.this raises the question of whether sampling will provide a true reflection of the views of the remaining 97.5% of the company
• Sample bias-HR departments will have competing agendas.One argument agaist qualitative methods alone is that HR tasked with finding the views of the workforce may ber influenced both consciously or unconsciously to select a sample that favors an anticipated outcome.
• The artificiality of qualitative data capture.The act of bringing together a group is inevitably outside of the typical 'norms' of everyday work life and culture and may influence the participants in unforeseen ways.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantitative reserch approach

Advantages:

The use of statistical analysis and hard numbers found in quantitative reserch has distinct advantages in the reserch process.

• Can be tested and checked-Quantitative reserch requires carefull experimental design and the ability for anyone to replicate both the test and the results.This makes the data you gather more reliable and less open to argument.
• Straightforward analysis-When you collect quantitative data,the type of results will tell you which statistical tests are appropriate to use.As a result,interpreting your data and presenting those findings is straightforward and less open to error and subjectivity.

Disadvantages:

However,the focus on numbers found in quantitative reserch can also be limiting,leading to several disadvantages,

• False focus on numbers-Quantitative reserch can be limited in its pursuit of concrete,statistical relationship which can lead to reserchers overlooking broader themes and relationships.by focusing solely on numbers,you run the risk of missing surprising or big-picture information that can benefit your business.
• Difficulty setting up a research modal-When you conduct quantitative research,you need to carefully develop hypothesis and set up a model for collecting and analyzing data.any error in your set up ,bias on the part of the researcher or mistake in execution can invalidate all your results.even coming up with a hypothesis can be subjective,especially if you have a specific question that you already know you want to prove or disprove.