Introduction
Experimental development and research involves creative work undertaken on a creative basis so as to increase the stock of knowledge or information. The major reason for conducting a research is to acquire data whose analysis will assist in answering the research questions. It is therefore quite important for a researcher to know the various ways of conducting a research, its scope and limitation. Generally, there are three research methods that are broadly used; qualitative, quantitative and mixed research method. Each of this method has its strengths and limitations. It is thus vital that a researcher understands the scope of each method before deciding on which method to use in conducting an investigation or research.
Qualitative research method
Strengths
- It is very useful when conducting cross-case comparison and analysis
- It enables the researcher to conduct an in depth study of a case when studying a limited number of cases.
- It makes it possible for complex phenomenon to be described. This includes an explanation of why and how such phenomenon occurs.
- Almost always, the researcher identifies contextual and setting factors that are related to the phenomenon of interest (Creswell, 2008). As such, the data collected comprehensively covers the interest of the researcher by helping them obtain any information that might be of interest.
- It provides information that is specific to an individual case. This averts the collision of information that might occur due to mixing up data that regards two or more distinct cases (William, 2012).
- The data collected is highly reliable since it is based on the participants own category of meaning.
- A qualitative researcher will normally respond to the changes that happen during a study and may shift the focus of his or her studies as may be required (Creswell, 2008). Such changes include change in weather conditions, change in stakeholders’ needs and the local situation that prevails.
- The reliability and accuracy of the data is likely to be high since it is collected in a naturalistic setting.
Limitations
- When the pool of participants is large, it becomes more difficult to test the theories and hypotheses.
- It is quite challenging to maintain, assess, and demonstrate rigor.
- The knowledge obtained from a qualitative research is specific to certain people or settings and may not apply to other people or setting (Creswell, 2008).
- The process of examining the data collected is often time consuming hence may not be auspicious when the data is needed for immediate decision making.
- The researcher’s personal biases and habits can easily influence the results. This therefore creates doubt in the validity of such results.
Quantitative research method
Strengths
- The process of analyzing data is relatively less time intense especially in situations where one uses statistical software.
- It can efficiently and sufficiently be used to study a population that is considered to be large.
- Data collection is relatively cheap and quick thus making it suitable for use in situations where data is required immediately and at an affordable cost (Creswell, 2008).
- The outcomes of the study can be indiscriminate since it uses random samples whose sizes are sufficient to provide data or information that can be considered to be credible.
- Prior to data collection, the hypotheses to be tested are constructed thus making the study more objective.
- Quite efficient in testing and authenticating already existing theories that explain how and why an occurrence takes place (William, 2012).
- If done properly, it provides answers that are solid and not based on common sense or opinion.
- The research results are not likely to be affected by the researchers’ conditions such as hatred or bias.
Limitations
- The theories that the researcher use may not reflect the understanding of local community (Creswell, 2008).
- The knowledge produced might be too abstract and general such that it may not be advisable to apply that knowledge to specific contexts and individuals.
Mixed research method
Strengths
- Its ability to use pictures, words and narrative adds meaning to numbers.
- It produces more complete knowledge to inform both theory and practice.
- It can be used to generate and test a stranded theory (Creswell & Plano, 2011).
- Since the research is not restricted to a sole method, it can answer comprehensive and more complete set of questions relating to a particular study.
- It increases the generalizability of results.
- Through convergence and substantiation of results, a stronger evidence for a certain conclusion can be provided (Creswell & Plano, 2011).
- It adds the understanding and insights that can easily be missed if only a single method is used.
Limitations
- It requires that one has knowledge about multiple approaches and methods and have familiarity of how to appropriately mix them.
- It is also difficult to analyze the data and results that are conflicting hence only a few numbers of researchers can use this method.
- It is time intense and very costly hence out of reach for many researchers (Creswell & Plano, 2011).
- When both qualitative and qualitative research are done by one person, the accuracy of the results will be compromised and thus necessities the need for a research team.
When setting out to perform a research, it is important to understand the different approaches so as to select the best one that appropriately fits the needs and expectations of the research and ensure that results are obtained.
References
Creswell, J. W. (2008). Educational Research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
Creswell, J. W., & Plano, C. V. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.
William, J. (2012). Chapter 14. Retrieved November 24, 2013, from http://www.southalabama.edu/coe/bset/johnson/lectures/lec14.htm
