Psychology
There are several ways through which one can understand the terms ‘qualitative’ and ‘quantitative’. Some of these ways are as follows:
The assumptions made
This is the first way through which can understand the meaning and the differences between the two terms. Research that is considered to be quantitative uses objectivity to see the world and the events happening in it. This implies that it is possible for one to identify causes and effects, reasons and explanations. A good example of this is considering a potential tourist. Such a tourist might begin by making a list of the potential destinations. He will then carry out research through a questionnaire, and decide the best place to go (Ciccarelli & White 34). Qualitative, on the other hand, entails seeing the world as being constructed by individual perceptions. Qualitative researchers do not bother to give explanation as to why things are the way they are. Such researchers tend to approach the problem, even without having explanations that are preconceived.
Purpose
The purpose of qualitative and quantitative differs. In quantitative, the researcher gives an explanation what the causes for something are. This is achieved through having an objective measurement and using statistics to analyze a certain phenomenon. Researchers using the qualitative element, on the other hand, tend to be have more interest in understanding the phenomenon happening, as perceived by the participants.
Approach
Research that is quantitative makes use of correlational designs or experiments. This is not the case with qualitative, which makes no use of controls (Ciccarelli & White 44). Rather, qualitative tries to understand the whole environment. These are the three different ways of understanding the terms.
Summary of basic qualitative paradigm
There are several qualitative paradigms in any research. These are summarized as follows:
Positivism
This paradigm entails discovering some of the laws that govern behavior. This is based on the concept that every element behaves in a unique way, guided by certain laws. In research, this paradigm dictates that the researcher understands the pertinent issues that could shape the way the participants behave. This paradigm is essential in research (Pascale 790).
Constructivist
This paradigm is essential in any research. It refers from the internal understanding of a concept or an element that is subjected to research. It captures what the researcher already knows about the research they are doing.
Critical postmodern paradigm
This paradigm seeks to investigate and make an expose of the power relations that exist in a research.
Pragmatic paradigm
This paradigm is concerned with the interactions of various elements and the effects they have in various contexts. It also addresses the various interventions.
Summary of quantitative paradigm
Ontology
This refers to the way through which reality is constructed. It entails the way that things are, and how such things work.
Epistemology
This paradigm connotes that there are several ways of understanding reality. It also deals with the relationship that may exist between the research and the researcher. Barley argues that this quantitative paradigm is essential in that it ensures the researcher understands what to expect. This is an important paradigm in research (Bayley, 96)
Methodology
Simply put, this refers to the tools that a researcher uses to know and understand reality in an attempt to differentiate it from other fallacies.
My preference: the perspective that works best for me
For me, the quantitative paradigms work for me best as compared to the qualitative paradigms and methods. Epistemology, for instance, helps the researcher gauge what they already know about the research. This enables them to be in a better position to understand what they should expect in a given research. Ontology helps them to construct reality in a manner that is positive and consistent.
Works Cited
Bayley, Robert. "The Quantitative Paradigm." The Handbook of Language Variation and Change (2013): 83-107. Print.
Ciccarelli, Saundra K, and J N. White. Psychology. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2015. Print.
Pascale, C.-M. "Talking About Race: Shifting the Analytical Paradigm." Qualitative Inquiry14.5 (2008): 723-741. Print.
