Research Korner: Qualitative and quantitative method

ISSUES INVOLVED WHEN USING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODOLIGIES IN RESEARCH

MODULE:             RESEARCH METHODS 1     MODULE COORDINATOR:                 TITLE: ISSUES INVOLVED WHEN USING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODOLIGIES IN RESEARCH     MATRICULATION NUMBER:                       INTRODUCTION This assignment deals with the issues involved when using quantitative and Qualitative methodologies in research. It is mainly divided into two major sections. The first part will consider the general discussion about Quantitative and Qualitative approaches. It will then go on to discuss the approaches used in a specific condition. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, research is a ‘‘studious and critical inquiry And examination aimed at the discovery and interpretation of new knowledge’’ ( cited in Bork, 1993, p. 11). Research design in its specific level means the way the researcher perceives and tries to find a solution and gives an alternative interpretation of result (Punch 2005). Research approaches are generally categorized as Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed research.   CONTRIBUTIONS AND DRAWBACKS Quantitative Research Design Quantitative or Reductionist research approach deals with quantities and relationship between attributes, and involves the collection and analysis of highly structured data in the positivist tradition. This research is appropriate in situations where there is pre-existing knowledge about a condition (Creswell, 2003). This approach tries to divide a particular theory into many constituent parts. It then tests each part separately. After analyzing the individual elements it can be used like a building block to construct theories and helps to know more about the phenomenon (Bork 1993)   Following chart shows the divisions of Quantitative Research Design           1. Experimental Method The basis of this method is the comparison between the groups. The aim of the research will be to show that the differences seen in the outcome variable between the groups are due to the independent variable (Punch 2005). Experimental method includes Pre-test/post-test design, Post test only design and Factorial design (Polgar and Thomas 1995)   In certain occasions it is ethically inappropriate to undergo research using experimental design (Polgar and Thomas 1995).     2. Quasi experimental Method It differs from experimental method in allocation of groups. In quasi experimental method there is no random allocation into groups. It is again divided into Time-series design and Multiple-group time-series design. Major drawbacks of both these designs are they have less internal validity (Polgar and Thomas 1995).   3. Surveys Commonly used survey approach is retrospective design which focuses mainly on past events. Another approach is prospective design in which the group needed for the study is identified initially (Hicks 2004). Even though it is easy to select participants according to clearly defined criteria, it is a real time consuming process to access an adequate number of suitable participants (Hicks 2004).   4. Correlational Studies The aim of this study in health sciences is to find out the interrelationships among clinically significant variables. Correlation numerically represents the strength of relationship that might be present between two or more variables (Polgar and Thomas 1995).   5. Single-subject design This design is also known as steady-state methodology since they compare the effects of manipulation done to some baseline in the same individual (Field and Hole 2003).This design is divided into AB design, ABAB design and Multiple baseline design (Polgar and Thomas 1995) These designs are helpful to prevent the perception of a wrong phenomenon as a result of the averaging together of the performance by individuals (Field and Hole 2003).   Qualitative Research Design Qualitative approach represents a broad view; helps understand human affairs and subjective qualities of human behavior (Holliday 2002). Qualitative approaches concentrates mostly on specific individuals, rather than on groups, or types of individuals. Here the individual as a whole in relation to their social setting is described. Hence qualitative research can be called as holistic (Hicks 2004). Webb (1988) also states that Qualitative research represents an interpretive science (cited in Barker 1999).   Qualitative research design provides insight into the social, emotional and experiential aspects of health and health care and thus has an important place in understanding health and health care. Observation of interaction between client and the health professional gives an insight into the meaning given by health professionals to their work (Holloway 2005). According to Cambell (1974) "All research ultimately has a qualitative grounding"(cited in Miles and Huberman 1994, p. 40). The strength of qualitative research is the understanding that comes from observing the inter-relationships (Bork, 1993). Quantitative and qualitative designs should be perceived as complementary rather than in terms of superior or inferior (Hicks 2004).     Principle approaches to qualitative Research are     DISCUSSION OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS USED IN SPECIFIC CONDITION (Exercise intervention to prevent falls in Elderly people)   Various studies have been conducted in this field. In a study by Carter et al (2002), a randomised control trial was undertaken to show that a community-based exercise program for 20 weeks reduced the risk factors for falls in the elderly. Dynamic balance, knee extension strength and static balance of the intervention group were found far better than that of control group. These are the important determinants to risk of falls in the elderly. A drawback to this study is Frail individuals (having osteoporosis) may not be able to attend community-based programs even though they might get more benefit than that of healthy individual. Motivation levels of the subjects could also influence outcome measures. Inclusion of a larger sample to evaluate the effect of this type of intervention on older individuals with osteoporosis could be an option for further research since these people are at greater risk of falls than the participants who attended in this study.   A randomised control trial conducted by Campbell et al (1997) showed that a home-based exercise programme for the elderly improved physical function and was effective in reducing falls and injuries in women above 80 years. A risk faced by researchers in this study is that the strength-retraining programme used here required increased activities such as walking which in turn increased the risk of falling in the already high-risk individuals. Another flaw in the research is that it was not possible to note the compliance and the quality of the exercises performed by the subjects since the exercises were home based   In yet another study conducted by Campbell and colleagues (2005), a randomised control trial of the prevention of falls in a particular risk group was done which included people aged 75 years and above with severe visual impairments. In this study two interventions were compared, Home safety programme and Exercise programme (Otago exercise programme). The home safety programme succeeded in the reduction of falls and also proved to be a cost effective regime than that of exercise programme. A major flaw in this study was that the participants were selected through Royal New Zealand Foundation of Blind and through Low vision Clinics. It would have been better if they screened the population through primary care for their ability to participate in exercise programme. This may help to deliver the intervention to those populations who are really in need.   An article by Salkeld et al (2000) used a mixed method, where a randomised control trial to examine the effectiveness of the external hip protectors for older women at risk of hip fractures was done. The qualitative aspect involved open ended quality of life interview, which helped to define the dimensions of quality of life affected by a hip fracture. The data helped to generate four ‘name labeled’ health states (full health, fear of falling, a good hip fracture and a bad hip fracture). It was seen that the most important threat seemed to be the loss of independence, dignity and possessions that resulted from moving into nursing homes. Most participants did not want to live on borrowed time at the expense of younger people. They preferred death to a state that meant losing their homes, independence and normal quality of life. A flaw in this study is that it is difficult to get the accurate proportion of women experiencing the bad hip fracture health state. Even though the study has got its own flaw, researcher says that its findings should be applicable to the frail old women who have sustained injury after a fall or those who had only a fall. The values for each health states in this study are considered reliable based on the intra class correlation coefficient.    Majority of Qualitative methodologist did not consider Measurement Validity and Reliability thoroughly and consistently (Denzin 1978, cited in Goodwin 1984). According to Bogdan and Biklen (1982) validity is given consideration rather than reliability in qualitative research.   Another effective example of an integrated qualitative and quantitative method was a study done by Borkan and his colleagues (1991) to determine the predictors of recovery after hip fracture in elderly patients as a result of fall. Standard questionnaires were used to collect information regarding age and type of break. In-depth interviews were collected from the patients to collect information about personal narratives focusing on the internal explanation of the fractures, sense of disability and view of the future after hip fracture following a fall. It was seen that those who perceived their fracture as more external or mechanical as opposed to an internal problem like related to a chronic disease were more likely to have a good recovery. Persons with a positive outlook, who perceived their disability in the context of independence and connection with the outside world showed better ambulation at 3 and 6 months than persons with a confined view of the fracture and the resulting disability.   CONCLUSION The qualitative and quantitative research methods have different approaches to research techniques but none of them are superior to other, rather complimentary techniques. The choice of method and how it can be used should be matched according to the study done. From the research studies mentioned above it is clear that randomised control trials were able to convince the reader that the various preventive interventions like home based exercises and safety programs were able to prevent falls in the elderly. The qualitative aspect of the paper was able to address the issues from the patient’s viewpoint regarding the quality of life, fear and anxiety within the context of his/her family setting and social circumstances.           REFERENCES     BARKER, P. 1999. Qualitative Research in Nursing and Health Care. London: NT Books.   BOGDAN, R. C. and BIKLEN, S. K. 1982. Qualitative Research for Education: An introduction to theory and methods. Boston: Allyn and Bacon   BORK, C.E. 1993. Research in Physical Therapy. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company.   BORKAN, J.M., QUIRK, M. and SULLIVAN, M.1991. Finding meaning after fall: Injury narratives from elderly hip fracture patients. Social Science and Medicine, 33 (8), pp. 947-957.   CAMPBELL, A.J., ROBERTSON, M.C., GARDNER, M.M., NORTON, R.N., TILYARD, M.W. and BUCHNER, D.M. 1997. Randomised control trial of a general practice programme of home based exercise to prevent falls in elderly women. British Medical Journal, 331 October, pp. 1065-1069.   CAMPBELL, A.J., ROBERTSON, M.C, GROW, S.J.L., KERSE, N.M., SANDERSON, G.F., JACOBS, R.J., SHARP, D.M. and HALE, L.A. 2005. Randomised control trial of prevention of falls in people aged ≥75 with severe visual impairment: the VIP trial. British Medical Journal, 331 October, pp. 817-820.   CARTER, N.D., KHAN, K.M., McKAY, H.A., PETIT, M.A., WATERMAN, C., HEINONEN, A., JANSSEN, P.A., DONALDSON, M.G., MALLINSON, A., RIDDELL, L., KRUSE, K., PRIOR, J.C. and FLICKER, L. 2002. Community-based exercise program reduces risk factors for falls in 65-to 75- year-old women with osteoporosis: randomised controlled trial. Canadian Medical Association Journal [Online] 167(9) October, pp. 997-1003. Available from: < http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/167/9/997 > [Accessed 28 December 2006].   CRESWELL J.W. 2003. Research design qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. 2nd edition. London: Sage publications   FIELD, A and HOLE, G. 2003. How to Design and Report Experiments. London: Sage Publications.   FRENCH, S., REYNOLDS, F. and SWAIN, J. 2001. Practical Research A Guide for Therapists. 2nd ed. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann   GOODWIN, W. L. 1984. Are validity and reliability ‘Relevant’ in Qualitative evaluation research? Evaluation and the Health Professions, 7(4) December, pp. 413-426.   HICKS, C. 2004. Research Methods for Clinical Therapists. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone.   HOLLIDAY, A. 2002. Doing and Writing Qualitative Research. London: SAGE Publications.   HOLLOWAY, I. 2005. Qualitative Research in Health Care. Maidenhead: Open University Press   MILES, M. B. and HUBERMAN, A. M. 1994. Qualitative Data Analysis. USA: Sage Publications   POLGAR, S. and THOMAS, S.A. 1995. Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences. 3rd ed. Melbourne: Churchill Livingstone   PUNCH, K. F. 2005. Introduction to Social Research Quantitative and qualitative approaches. London: Sage Publications Ltd.   SCHMOLL, B.J. 1993. Qualitative research. In: Bork, C.E. Research in Physical Therapy. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company       WORD COUNT – 1655.

ISSUES INVOLVED WHEN USING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODOLIGIES IN RESEARCH

MODULE : RESEARCH METHODS 1 MODULE COORDINATOR : TITLE : ISSU...

Essay on Evaluation and Suitability of Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies in Undertaking an Empirical Study into Procurement Practice

Procurement Research Methods Evaluation and Suitability of Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies in Undertaking an Empirical Study into Procurement Practice Introduction In research, there are procedures that should be followed in order to capture the essence of the study. Usually, the beginning of the investigation starts in recognizing the questions ascertained to the main topic and then finding responses. Because of the technologies and availability of large amount of information, there is significant reduction of burden in research studies. In the meantime, the ongoing process of research should be explored, such as the use of the book and online-published studies (websites and Internet). There are two recognized effective strategies that are part of a researcher/s’ study – quantitative and qualitative methods. However, in what ways did the two methods are effective, in terms of its application in a same practice. In order to answer this question, the paper will adopt the studies prepared by the various writers regarding the features of quantitative and qualitative methods. This is provided to be a simple guide for the future researchers by exploring the appropriateness of a method. Quantitative Method In general, the quantitative method is focused on the statistical process in which the study promotes the sample and then, matched to the study population. This is for the aim to ensure the comparability of demographic characteristics. The sample population is however, assumed to represent the entire population (Horsburgh, 2003). It is based on the positivism perspective and because of the strict formula or procedures, the judgment are created (Dray, 2004).  Quantitative method is described as a powerful technique applied in research, particularly in human issues and geography because it can provide the valuable and accurate insights. However, the researcher/s must understand that this method should be appropriately used with the provided limitations (Marshall, 2007). Scientific methods are used as an approach in science oriented cases, and formal systematic process in terms of data findings. Clearly, the quantitative method possesses the ability to generate an analysis by describing, testing, and examining (cause and effect relationship) the subjects. The combination of the knowledge and developing the hypotheses the outcome can be determined.  Apparently, both methods are using the sampling as their reference but must meet the criteria of data collection strategy. The difference is that quantitative method demands from the random selection of sample population. The advantage is that the findings are generalized. However, the random selection process is time consuming which is one of its drawbacks (Charoenruk, 2006). Qualitative Method In general, the qualitative method is focused on the participants who were chosen through the means of theoretical sampling. The process of selection is based on the ability of the participants to provide information. Furthermore, the application of theories and academic findings are also applied in this process, which is suitable to provide the explanations in terms of comparison of experiences or situations. This method is commonly used in nursing studies, managerial approach, communication issues, etc (Horsburgh, 2003). Qualitative research is also considered as interpretive research, naturalistic research, phenomenological research and descriptive research (Dray, 2004). Qualitative research method has a characteristic to develop the theory according to its findings. Usually, the qualitative method is used as a vehicle to study the various perspective of the subject. It has a system of enquiry which is concerned with the humans (for an instance) and the environment. It creates the understanding regarding the relationship of human and the associated aspects such as work, transactions, social being, and many others. This action is through the purpose of describing the empirical aspects that can be in a phenomenon and explaining the subject itself. The data can be obtained from the wide arrays of academics such as history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, and psychology. In the deeper investigation of qualitative method, the historical foundation is recognized as one of its great disadvantages (Charoenruk, 2006). Conclusion The methods, qualitative and quantitative although with the obvious differences, compliment with each other. Because of this fact, most of the researches are facilitated with the combination of two methods in order to capture the true essence of their study. The use of the methods depends on the way on how to obtain the information; therefore, it is important to create decisions on what research method is suited for the paper, as well as the particular requirement that should be considered (Dray, 2004).  In addition, it is important that the method is according to the complexity of the research and the generated analysis is based on the interpretation of the facts or data presented.   References: Charoenruk, D., (2006) Communication Research Methodologies: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodology [Online] Available at: http://utcc2.utcc.ac.th/localuser/amsar/PDF/Documents49/quantitative_and_qualitative_methodologies.pdf [Accessed 12 July 2010] Dray, L., (2004) Research Methods [Online] Available at: http://www.lamp.ac.uk/mit/pdf/report6.pdf [Accessed 12 July 2010]. Horsburgh, D., (2003) Evaluation of Qualitative Research, Journal of Clinical Nursing, Vol. 12 [Online] Available at: http://www.ruralhealth.utas.edu.au/gr/resources/docs/horsburgh-qual-research-evalution.pdf [Accessed 12 July 2010]. Marshall, A., (2007) A Critique of the Development of Quantitative Methodologies in Human Geography [Online] Available at: http://www.radstats.org.uk/no092/marshall92.pdf [Accessed 12 July 2010].

Essay on Evaluation and Suitability of Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies in Undertaking an Empirical Study into Procurement Practice

Procurement Research Methods Evaluation and Suitability of Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies in Undertaking an Empirical Study ...

Description and discussion on Qualitative, Quantitative and Mix Methods approaches of collecting data as applied to a research entitled “The Impact of Parents’ Food and Lifestyle Choices on the Development of Obesity among their Children”.

Description and discussion on Qualitative, Quantitative and Mix Methods approaches of collecting data as applied to a research entitled “The Impact of Parents’ Food and Lifestyle Choices on the Development of Obesity among their Children”.               The essay will explore the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methodologies, focusing on “the impact of parents’ food and lifestyle choices on the development of obesity among their children’. This essay will also discuss different methods of data collection.        Quantitative Research Approach             The quantitative paradigm is based on positivism which takes scientific explanation to be nomothetic (i.e. based on universal laws.) Its main aims are to                                                         objectively measure the social world, to test hypotheses and to   predict and control human behavior.             Parents’ role in the development of obesity among children has been the subject of many studies. In order to guide the said studies, the researchers created hypotheses that were tested. A hypothesis, simple defined, is a prediction of a causal correlation among multiple phenomena. It is a statement of what the researcher predicts will happen in the research. The current research aims to test the hypothesis that parents’ food and lifestyle choices have a significant impact on their children’s food and lifestyle choices that lead to obesity.             In order top investigate the correlation of parents’ food and lifestyle choices to the development of obesity among their children, a sampling method can be employed. Various research about the subject of childhood obesity have employed sampling as a method of investigation. Sampling is primarily a method in statistics wherein the researcher selects a representative of the total population of concern that yield some knowledge about the said population. When studying the impact of parents’ food and lifestyle choices on childhood obesity, it is important to classify the subjects base on their economic status and family income. This will allow the researcher to determine the role of economic status and family income in food and lifestyle choices. The social and economic status of the family is important to consider as the researcher believes that these factors affect the choices that parents make. Sampling is a simple practice that allows the researcher to yield reliable results without including the entire population the data collection.             One of the methods of quantitative data collection is the use of survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire will present useful information from the respondents regarding the topic. The survey will provide information to determine whether parents’ food and lifestyle choices can lead to poor food and lifestyle choices of their children that will eventually lead to childhood obesity. The responses of the subjects will be summarized, analyzed, and reported in order to make a general findings about the topic. To better understand the impact of parents food and lifestyle choices on the development of childhood obesity a structured survey questionnaire can be designed by the researcher.             It is important that the researcher also consider the disadvantages of using a survey questionnaire in collecting data. One disadvantage is that the respondents may misinterpret the question resulting to answers that are useless to the research. Questionnaires also oblige people to choose from limited responses that can be vague and not represent their actual response. There is also a great tendency to standardized the questions.   Questions that Quantitative Research seeks to Answer             1. Descriptive Questions – research questions that seek answers to “How much?” or “What changes over time or different situations?” type of questions. Descriptive questions can seek to identify the degree of relationship that exists between tow or more variables. The script for a descriptive relationship question would be as follows: o   What is the relationship between (variable 1) and (variable 2) for participants? 2. Predictive Questions – questions that seek to determine whether one or more variables can be used to predict some future outcome. The script for a predictie question would be as follows: o   Does (predictor variable) predict (outcome variable in setting? 3. Causal Questions – questions that compare different variations of some phenomenon to identify the cause of something. These questions often involve the manipulation of an independent variable and the comparison of the outcome of this manipulation. The script for questions would be as follows: o   Does variation (or change) in the (independent variable) produce changes (e.g. increase or decrease) in (a dependent variable)?   Qualitative Research Approach             The qualitative paradigm stems from an antipositivistic, interpretative approach, is idiographic, thus holistic in nature, and the main aim is to understand social life and the meaning that people attach to everyday life.             When investigating the occurrence of childhood obesity, it is a requisite that one explores the social, cultural, family and personal backgrounds of the subjects.  One of the most popular methods of data collection in the qualitative sphere is interviewing. In the investigation of the impact of parents’ food and lifestyle choices on the development of childhood obesity the researcher intends to design a structured interview involving the parents. The aim of the interview is to ascertain the impact of parents on the development of childhood obesity. The researcher opted to use this kind of research considering the desire of the researcher to obtain first hand data from the respondents so as to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the study.             The researcher also intends to use observation as a means of data collection. It is important that the belief, actions, attitudes and behaviors of children about food, obesity, health and their food and lifestyle choices.   Questions that Qualitative Research Seek to Answer In the qualitative research, the following are the most popular methods of collecting data: <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Interview</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Focus Groups</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Diaries or Written Accounts</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Participant Observation or Non Participant Observation</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Media Sources </li> </ul> The survey questionnaire that the researcher intends to employ in the investigation of the impact of the parents food and lifestyle choices on the development of obesity among their children seeks to answer to following questions: <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Descriptive/Linear Questions – Can you describe to me your food choices and your lifestyle at home?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Narrative Questions – Can you tell me about the food that you prepare for your family and your child’s/children’s food preferences?</li> </ul> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Structured Questions – What do you think are the factors that lead to your child’s obesity ?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Contrast Questions – How can you compare your child’s health with other children his/her age?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Evaluative Questions – How do you feel about your chilld’s health?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Systematic Questions – What do you think your child’s food choices would be if you as his or her parent have healthy food and lifestyle choices?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> Prompts and Probes – Can you tell me more about that?</li> </ul>   Qualitative Methodology vs. Quantitative Methodology                                                                   The difference of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies according to Baum (1992) is that quantitative research attempts to reduce and measure social phenomena while qualitative research aims to understand social processes. 1. Underlying Assumptions             The goal of qualitative research is to describe and analyzed the quality or substance of the human experience in a detailed manner. Qualitative researchers believe that in order to understand human actions and behaviors, it is imperative to understand the meanings and interpretations that people give to their own actions, to the actions of others and to situations and events. Qualitative researchers see the physical aspects to the world as having independent existence.             On the other hand, quantitative research is based on the assumption that the world can be investigated using scientific method and that there is an independent reality. Quantitative research is based on the belief that measurable influences (independent variables) affect measurable outcomes (dependent variables) in a cause-effect manner. 2. Research Design             Qualitative research can be designed deductively (to test hypothesis) or inductively (to develop a hypothesis) – majority are inductive in nature. The inductive nature of qualitative research means that the design tends to change as the study is in progress in response to the changes in the circumstances and the collected data.             On the other hand, quantitative research use standardized and repeatable methodologies that represent human experience in numerical categories. 3. Research Setting             Qualitative researchers employ talk and action in the collection of data. They use data collection methods such as in-depth interviews and focus groups, observation and textual analysis. Qualitative research are often conducted in public places, homes, workplaces and schools.             In contrast, quantitative research is generally conducted in a controlled environment, such as a psychology laboratory, or using anonymous data, such as statistics collected through surveys, questionnaires, structured interviews or tests. 4. Researcher’s Role             Qualitative researchers try to gather and analyze their own data rather than working with anonymous data collected by other people. They recognize that they are an integral part of the research process.             Quantitative researchers adopt a traditional objective expert role. They attempt to remove their interpretations or prevent them from influencing the research.               Base on the above comparison, the strengths and weaknesses of both methodologies can be identified. Quantitative research is most useful in research that is objective while qualitative can be used more effectively in subjective research. The research questions that can be answered by a quantitative research typically involves number, (how many?) and strength of association. Qualitative research on the other hand, seeks to answer the What and Why questions. Literature review in the quantitative research is often done early in the study while in the qualitative research it is progressive, meaning, the literature review can be done as the research progress. The results of quantitative research are measurable while in the qualitative research the results are interpretative.   Mixed Method Research Approach             Mixed research method aims to combine the qualitative and quantitative methodologies of research. This research method will allow the researcher to achieve a deeper understanding to the impact of parents food and lifestyle choices on the development of childhood obesity. For example, the researcher can combine qualitative and quantitative methodologies such as focus groups and survey questionnaire. 1. Focus Groups – the focus groups will include parents. The focus groups will enable the researcher to learn about the topic from the perspective of the parents. 2. Questionnaire – the questionnaire will be administered to the obese children and their children measure their perspectives. Questions for the questionnaire would be developed after the qualitative data had been analyzed. A questionnaire administered to a large sample allows for generalized statements to be made about attitudes and self-reported behaviors. The use of exploratory qualitative research to develop the questionnaire will increase the validity of the questionnaire data.             One disadvantage of combining qualitative and quantitative research methodologies is the amount of time, skill, and resources needed to conduct such a research.   Conclusion             The three research methodologies discussed in this paper have their individual strengths and weaknesses. In the current research the researcher believes that Mix Methods approach is applicable. For the research study, I decided to combine the strengths of quantitative research and qualitative research. Both research methods have their own strengths and weaknesses, and I think combining both can yield more accurate and clear results. It has been asserted by Phillips (1981) that both approaches are complementary and not competitive. In order to come up with powerful research, it is important to combine both methodologies. First, one could use large-scale quantitative analysis to demonstrate the existence of a previously unsuspected phenomenon. Then, one could use small-scale qualitative analysis to investigate the detailed processes producing the phenomenon. According to Neuman (2000), combining both qualitative and quantitative styles of research can be advantageous. I agree with this belief. I believe that a powerful research can be done through the effective combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Description and discussion on Qualitative, Quantitative and Mix Methods approaches of collecting data as applied to a research entitled “The Impact of Parents’ Food and Lifestyle Choices on the Development of Obesity among their Children”.

Description and discussion on Qualitative, Quantitative and Mix Methods approaches of collecting data as applied to a researc...

Top