Comparison of Research Methods

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews qualitative and quantitative research methods, and how they can be best applied in psychological research. It sets out to present the positives and negatives of both methodologies. While there is some attempt in the literature to present one as being better than the other, this author's hypothesis is that the combination of both techniques may yield better results in most cases. The author believes that one must carefully understand the research goals, and choose the appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques at appropriate times in order to improve study solidity and establish or disprove the hypotheses under examination. In reviewing quantitative and qualitative techniques, the author draws from several psychological fields, including nursing, advertising and marketing, and "pure" psychological research which may be related to treatment of syndromes or psychiatric illness.

Outline:
Introduction
Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Background
Pre-hypothesis stage
Inductive versus Deductive Reasoning
Hypothesis Formulation
Post-Hypothesis Work
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Qualitative research in psychology relies on a relatively limited number of subjects, but gives the opportunity to study those subjects in great detail. Some of the qualitative research methods which can be employed include the following (Denzin, 2005):
"In the pre-hypothesis stage, one may employ inductive or deductive reasoning. In an inductive reasoning stage, such as with ethnography, one may be studying a group in order to understand behaviors and motivations. One should be open-minded and observant, taking in as much unstructured data as possible. Interviewing techniques should be open-ended as much as possible, leaving the subject to express him/herself in an open way, without leading the person beyond focusing on specific behaviors of interest. The same is true of observing behavior, whether anonymously or with the knowledge of the subjects. In essence, one can use qualitative research techniques on a few subjects in order to observe a large number of behaviors or responses over a relatively limited period of time. In this sense, qualitative techniques are very helpful."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Camic, P. R. (2003). Qualitative Research in Psychology: Expanding Perspectives in Methodology and Design. New York: APA.
• Corner, J. (1991). In search of more complete answers to research questions. Quantitative versus qualitative research methods: is there a way forward? Journal of Advanced Nursing , 718-727.
• Denzin, N. a. (2005). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
• NIH. (2007). Design, Rationale and Objectives. Retrieved December 2, 2007, from Framingham Heart Study: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/framingham/design.htm
• UConn. (2007). vs. Quantitative Research. Retrieved December 2, 2007, from UConn Library: http://www.lib.uconn.edu/~punj/m3506.pdf

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