Most researchers do apply a number of research methodologies to come up concrete data that can be used in fulfill that which lead to their inquiry. In this literature, it will confine itself to both qualitative and quantitative approaches that are research analysis methods used in data output, evaluating the intrinsic worth of each including their limitations. However, to appreciate the two approaches we must understand the aspect of data output, which is the process and manner by which facts can be premeditated under dissimilar statuses and manipulated as prerequisite by the researcher
Qualitative Approach to data output
Qualitative approach is a type of methodology that tries to explore attitudes, behavior and experiences through such methods as interviews. It endeavors to get an in-depth outlook from the examinee. Hence, to be able to determine its merits and demerits, the ability to understand the essential or key characteristics of this procedure is indispensable. Thus, some of the crucial characteristics may include:
a) Proceedings can be understood amply only if they are seen in setting. Therefore, a qualitative researcher engages him/herself in the environment.
b) The settings of inquiry are not unnatural; they are natural. Nothing is predefined·
c) Qualitative researchers always prefer a situation where the specimen has a free environment to act normally and express their feelings without pressure. Therefore, qualitative research is a collaborative process in which the examinee(s) has a personal touch with the researcher.
d) Qualitative researchers work on the experiences unabridged, not as discrete variables. The purpose of a qualitative research is to apprehend experience as integrated.
e) The procedure entails assessment about what was deliberated.
Strengths
Because of the researcher’s personal touch with the settings and the examinee, he/she gains an insider’s view of the field. This permits them to come across issues, which are always left out e.g. sensitivities and densities of the issue that are more positive to the inquiry.
Qualitative explanations can perform the imperative role of proposing conceivable affiliations, foundations, effects and self-motivated processes.
For the reason that figures are not used, but relatively qualitative research uses a more evocative, narrative style, the research might be of precise assistance to the specialist as she/ he may perhaps revert to qualitative analysis in order to observe sources of information that might otherwise be unobtainable, thereby attainment firsthand intuition.
It is also complements other approaches as a research methodology.
Limitations
Adequate validity or consistency is a major criticism. Reason being of the subjective nature of qualitative data and its derivation in particular contexts, it is challenging to relate conformist ideals of trustworthiness and rationality.
Environments, circumstances, measures, settings and exchanges cannot be replicated to any extent nor can simplifications be prepared to an extensive framework than the one premeditated with any assurance.
The period necessary for data assembling, scrutiny and clarification is protracted. Thus, time consuming
Researcher's manifestation has a reflective consequence on the subjects of study.
Issues of inconspicuousness and secrecy present complications when deciding on findings.
The perspectives of both researcher and accomplices have to be identified and expounded because of concerns of predisposition.
Quantitative Approach to data output
Quantitative approach is also a research methodology that is understood as one which produces statistics through the application of large-scale survey, using methods such as inquiry form(questionnaires) or well-thought-out interviews. To reach at a conclusion of its applicability to determine its advantages and disadvantages, the following characteristics portrays the level of its applicability and in what circumstances.
Control
It always enables the researcher to determine the relevant cause of his or her observations. To come up with a research methodology, it is always in an attempt to answer certain questions. They epitomize efforts to detect why something transpires, what are the foundations of some incident, or under what circumstances an episode does befall. Hence, control is essential in order to offer unequivocal answers to such questions.
Operational delineation
This means that the steps must describe rapports or procedures used to measure them. Such a practice is required to disregard any misperception in implications and communication.
Imitation
The ability of the data being retrieved to be replicable, the data obtained in an experiment must be consistent; that is, the same outcome must be found if the study is recurred. If annotations are not repeatable, our explanations and descriptions are alleged to be unpredictable.
Hypothesis testing
The methodical conception of a hypothesis and imperiling it to an experiential test
Strengths
Precision through assessable and consistent measurement
The ability to Control over selection and scheme
Ability to create karma statements, by precise tests
Arithmetical procedures allow for refined examines
The ability to copy or replicate the findings in case the same is performed again.
Limitations
Because of the convolution of human knowledge, it is problematic to rule out or device all the variables.
For the reason that not all examinees do not all respond in the same ways
Its automatous ethos tends to eliminate concepts of self-determination, optimal and ethical accountability
Quantification can become a culmination in the aforementioned.
It fails to take excuse of examinees inimitable ability to understand their capabilities, hypothesis their own senses and act on the same.
It clues to the supposition that evidences are true and the same for all specimens all of the time.
Quantitative research habitually produces predictable and inconsequential findings of minute significance due to the ceiling of and the regulatory of variables.
It is not totally unbiased for the reason that the researcher is instinctively involved in the actual prime of a problem as worthy of exploration and in the elucidation of the domino effect.
These are methodology that were sanctioned to be able to supplement each other, the limitations of the other can be rectified by the application of the others merits. Hence, the qualitative and the quantitative approaches are essential when it comes to their application by a researcher.
References
Campbell, J. (2007). Measuring Performance Strength and Limitations of Research Indicators. New York: Diane.
Jeremy, H. (2004). Methods in Development Research: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Michigan: University of Michigan.
Jibendu, K. (2008). Research Methodology on Data Envelopment Analysis. New York: Universal-Publishers.
