Research Studies

Comparison Essay # 117193

Research Designs
Sociology

Research Studies

A comparative analysis of qualitative and quantitative studies.

1,330 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper compares the two recognized research methodology approaches in social sciences: qualitative and quantitative research studies. The paper looks at the definition of each methodology, their application and discusses how although both forms are systemic, which is a principle of research, it is said that qualitative research is more subjective and has to be interpreted by the researcher.

From the Paper:

"An example is given that research can be conducted on the length of time patients have to wait to see a physician in a specific emergency room. There is nothing subjective about this at all. All that is necessary is to take a stopwatch and some research assistants and determine the times involved. Yet if the researchers are interested in how the people feel about having to wait there must be a qualitative study done in which questions are asked, and here the responses would certainly become subjective. A person waiting with an ill and fretful child would likely feel markedly different from the man waiting with a splinter in his hand. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Biomedcentral.com A Qualitative Study of Nursing Student Experiences of Clinical Practice 2005 Retrieved 1-4-2007 from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6955/4/6
Findarticles.com Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to NursingResearch 2007 Retrieved 1-04-2007 from: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_n2_v66/ai_196768
FortuneCity.com Ways of Approaching Research: Quantitative Designs 1999 Retrieved 1-4-2007 from:http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/grizzly/432/rra2.htm
Massgeneral.org Developing Research no date Retrieved 1-4-2007 From: http://www.massgeneral.org/pcs/ccpd/nursing_research/Research_Developing_Research.asp
Wikipedia.org Qualitative Research 2006 Retrieved 1-4-2007 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_methods