Analysis of Research Approaches - Assignment Example

It is undeniable that the use of research primarily depends on a good choice of research approach. Qualitative research relies heavily on inductive reasoning. This implies that the researcher has to look into the patterns of the gathered information and come up with logical conclusions.

Commonly referred to as the “bottom-up” approach, a qualitative researcher seeks to generalize the research findings to come up with an acceptable theory. The greatest advantage of the qualitative approach is that it is relatively simple to carry out, as there is no strict research design. Secondly, this approach engages nature more naturally. This approach is also advantageous in that it allows for the collection of more detailed data making it more comprehensive. The main disadvantage of the qualitative approach lies in the fact that the researcher is heavily involved in the research and therefore, the outcome depends on the researcher's ability to carry out the research.

The quantitative approach, on the other hand, uses concrete data as well as rigorous statistical and data analysis techniques. Data analysis software such as SPSS is often used. A researcher begins with a hypothesis they seek to prove and then goes on to collect and analyze data in the process. Considering that findings come from the data, deductive reasoning is commonly associated with a quantitative approach. However, objectivity is overwhelmingly important in this form of approach, and variables are well known.