How to Conduct Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods?

There are times when students are assign dissertation or thesis research writing tasks and they are asked to conduct thorough and extensive research to make sure they present the best information to the readers. Qualitative and quantitative research methods are the best ways to come up with information that can be presented to the teachers for success. However, there are many students who fail to understand how to conduct the right qualitative and quantitative research and how to use the right methods that take them close to success in lesser time.

Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Research MethodsQualitative Research is primarily exploratory research that is used to get an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. This mode of research provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research. Qualitative Research is also used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dig deeper into the problem and its means of collecting data vary using unstructured or semi-structured techniques. Some common methods that this mode of research uses include focus groups (group discussions), individual interviews, and participation/observations. The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to fulfill a given quota.

On the other hand, qualitative research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables it derives the results from a larger sample population. This means of research uses measurable data to come up with facts and uncover patterns in research and its methods are much more structured than qualitative data collection methods. It uses methods like online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations.

It is up to the students to choose which means of research they will use and which method of research they prefer based on their questions and underlying philosophy of research.

Quantitative ResearchQuantitative research is easier to define and identify by hiring thesis writing services as it makes use of numbers and these numbers are easy to analyze with help of mathematical and statistical methods. It is important to know that if there are no numbers involved, and then it is not quantitative research. There are some cases where quantitative analysis is already present because the numbers are already there such as various official findings and results. However, it does not mean that it will not be analyzed the right way to fit in with the standard procedure of research.

Sources of Quantitative Data
The most common sources of quantitative data include:

• Surveys
• Observations
• Secondary data

Qualitative Research Method This is a means of research that does not involve any numbers or numerical data. It often involves words and languages and also makes use of pictures and observations. Any type of research can be examined in a qualitative way, and it is often the preferred method of investigation in the UK and the rest of Europe while US researches and studies are more inclined towards quantitative methods. Qualitative analysis results in rich data that gives an in-depth picture and it is particularly useful for exploring how and why things have happened.

Sources of Qualitative Data Although qualitative data is more general, there are still a number of common techniques for gathering it. They include:

• Interviews
• Focus groups
• ‘Postcards’
• Secondary data
• Observations

It is up to the students to make sure that they understand the nature of the task that they have been given and then decide which research method they need to use. Whether they use qualitative research method or quantitative research method, it is necessary that they understand what it is all about, what type of research they will have to conduct and what will be the sources for collecting data so that it can be used most effectively in their assignment.

Students must understand that they can use these means of collecting data with single person as well as a group of people and come up with research that will help them determine the results in a standardized mode. In order to conduct research the right way and use the best research method, it is important that students work on their given tasks most effectively and understand how the results have to be analyzed. The better they understand which research method to use and how, the better results they will be able to present in their papers.

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