Descriptive research cannot be clearly categorized into either the quantitative or qualitative research as it includes elements from both categories. Descriptive research is determined by the nature of the research question, research design, and data analysis. These three factors determine whether the study that is being conducted is of a qualitative or quantitative nature. Similarly, descriptive statistics tells us “what is”; whereas, inferential statistics gives the cause and effect relationship (Learngen). Moreover, descriptive research helps to explain those characteristics of the population or phenomena which are being studied. These characteristics are referred to as descriptive categories as the situation that they often describe takes the form of some categorical scheme. It may be said that descriptive research is a predecessor of exploratory research as it helps deduce what the issue is without going into further details. Thus, it may be said that descriptive studies are unable to suggest or conclude why something happened. They simply provide a situation that has occurred. However, descriptive research neither aims nor has the capability to form the basis for a causal relationship. The researcher may simply conduct descriptive research to investigate a situation that has occurred. Consequently, from a researcher’s viewpoint descriptive studies lack internal validity.
The analysis of written, vocal or sign language is referred to as discourse analysis. It also includes the analysis of a semiotic event. Writing, conversations, or communicative events that are analyzed in discourse analysis are defined in terms of the sentence structure, propositions, or the speech. Discourse analysts have extended their analysis to study the naturally occurring sentence structures rather than the learned forms (LSA). Linguistics, sociology, cognitive psychology, area studies, cultural studies are some examples of disciplines that have included discourse analysis as part of their studies. Conversational analysis, on the other hand, studies social interaction while analyzing verbal and non-verbal conduct of everyday life (SIL). Even though this method places emphasis upon casual conversation, but the methods it applies incorporates task and institution centered interactions. Similar to discourse analysis, conversational analysis may also be used in sociology, linguistics, and psychology. However, the difference between the two is centered on the focus and method of the two form of analysis. Conversational analysis focuses on processes of the social interaction and does not include written texts. The methods it uses aim to determine the methods and resources which the interactional participants use and rely on. The aim of the conversational analysis is to model the resources and methods of the understandings that are external to the participants.
The way information is handled during the research process determines the difference between anonymity and confidentiality. Anonymity refers to complete protection of the respondent’s identity; whereas, in confidentiality the respondent is known within the confines of the research. Therefore, if the researcher exposes the identity of the respondent if he has assured confidentiality then this is a breach in their contract and may even be considered illegal. On the other hand, if the respondent’s identity is known for the purpose of the research then this may not be a problem for the researcher as he is not doing anything illegal or unethical. On the basis of ethical research, it is the duty and responsibility of the researcher to clearly identify what he means by anonymity and confidentiality. They must tell the participant about how the data may be used and how their identities would be protected (Social Science Research Ethics). Thus, we may be able to conclude that guaranteeing anonymity is the researcher’s responsibility to ensure protection of the respondent and to convey the extent of protection to the respondents. Confidentiality may be considered as the extent of privacy and protection given to the respondent. The respondent has the right to limit the use of certain devices including; video recorders as part of conducting research. It is the researcher’s duty to oblige by the respondent wishes.
Works Cited
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"Advantages and Disadvantages of Case Studies." psud43. http://psud43.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-case-studies/ (accessed April 5, 2014).
"Core Issues." : Anonymity and Confidentiality. http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/researchethics/1-2-anonconf.html (accessed April 6, 2014).
"Linguistic Society of America." Discourse Analysis-What Speakers Do in Conversation. http://www.linguisticsociety.org/resource/discourse-analysis-what-speakers-do-conversation (accessed April 6, 2014).
"What is conversation analysis?." What is conversation analysis?. http://www-01.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsConversationAnalysis.htm (accessed April 6, 2014).
