An anylisis of qualitative and quantitative data: Is there one right way to conduct social research?
Is there one right way
to conduct social research?
When undertaking Social research there are two most commonly used methods: quantitative and qualitative; There is often a great divide between the users of qualitative and quantitative methods of research. Put simply, quantitative research uses mathematical principals and it is statistical, therefore it is often viewed as more reliable and valid. On the other hand there is qualitative research which is based on interviewing and finding out the "why" of a particular situation. Qualitative research is interpretative rather than descriptive, is non-numerical and is known for it 's credibility and auditability.
A balanced assessment of the two forms of research requires a knowledge of the history behind the two forms of research, an in depth look at what they are and what they both entail as social research and to discover the different methods that can be used within qualitative and quantitative research. We also need to find out the strengths and weaknesses of both qualitative and quantitative data so fair judgement can be made to discover if there is a correct way to undertake social research.
The history behind qualitative and quantitative data
It is qualitative data that has it 's origins in hermeneutics and can often be associated with ethnography, naturalistic research or grounded theory (which I will discuss later).Hermeneutics is "the view that observation is an imperative process" (Sutton and Bradley 1993:406)In the English dictionary hermeneutics is defined as " 1.The science of interpretation, esp. scriptures 2. The branch of theology that deals with the principals and methodology of exegeses."( Collins English dictionary 1979).The name 'Hermeneutics ' was taken from the son of Zeus called Hermes who was known as the "god of travellers" (Gadamer 1960/1975 as cited in Kliening and Witt). Hermes was seen as competent because of his 'slyness ' and therefore the gods trusted him to interpret their
to conduct social research?
When undertaking Social research there are two most commonly used methods: quantitative and qualitative; There is often a great divide between the users of qualitative and quantitative methods of research. Put simply, quantitative research uses mathematical principals and it is statistical, therefore it is often viewed as more reliable and valid. On the other hand there is qualitative research which is based on interviewing and finding out the "why" of a particular situation. Qualitative research is interpretative rather than descriptive, is non-numerical and is known for it 's credibility and auditability.
A balanced assessment of the two forms of research requires a knowledge of the history behind the two forms of research, an in depth look at what they are and what they both entail as social research and to discover the different methods that can be used within qualitative and quantitative research. We also need to find out the strengths and weaknesses of both qualitative and quantitative data so fair judgement can be made to discover if there is a correct way to undertake social research.
The history behind qualitative and quantitative data
It is qualitative data that has it 's origins in hermeneutics and can often be associated with ethnography, naturalistic research or grounded theory (which I will discuss later).Hermeneutics is "the view that observation is an imperative process" (Sutton and Bradley 1993:406)In the English dictionary hermeneutics is defined as " 1.The science of interpretation, esp. scriptures 2. The branch of theology that deals with the principals and methodology of exegeses."( Collins English dictionary 1979).The name 'Hermeneutics ' was taken from the son of Zeus called Hermes who was known as the "god of travellers" (Gadamer 1960/1975 as cited in Kliening and Witt). Hermes was seen as competent because of his 'slyness ' and therefore the gods trusted him to interpret their
Bibliography: Bailey DM, (1997) Research for the Health Professional (2nd Edition) FA Davis Company, Philadelphia. Brannen, Julia (1992) Combining Qualitative and Quantitative approaches: An overview. In Julia Brannen (Ed.), Mixing Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative research, Aldershot: Avebury pg (3-37) Gadamer Hans- Georg (1960/1975) waheneint und methode (Adapted from Kliening and Witt) Guba, E.G,and Lincoln, Y.S (1998) Compeating paradigms in Qualitative research in Denzin, N.K Higgs J, ed (1997) Qualitative Research: Discourse on Methodologies Hampden Press, Sydney. Sutton, Brett (1993) The rationales for Qualitative and Quantitative research : A Review of Principals and theoretical foundations. The Library Quaterly, 63 (4) October, pg(s) 411-430 Websites