Researching politics and international relations - Essay Example

?Researching Politics and International Relations - Synoptic Essay Question: Is it possible to ensure scientific rigor when conducting quantitative and qualitative research? To understand the scientific rigor regarding researching, one must focus on the types and the different methods of research. There are numerous methods of research. However, we narrow our researching methods down to two ways; the Qualitative and the Quantitative method. Each is a scientific method much used and approved, by researchers. Before reverting to our topic, it is better to have an extensive overview of the scientific method, quantitative and qualitative methods(Brady&Collier,2004). The research process itself is extremely complex with several variables staying in effect at one time. It is important for the researcher to ensure that the focus remains on the subject that is being researched. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are as different as day and night. Scientists use them to test casual theories. Qualitative mainly focuses on how and where. It pertains to the quality of the data, e.g. the quality of a sample , is it randomly taken or is it specific(King ,Keohan ,Verba,1994). However, quantitative method includes all the finer mounts and pertains to the quantity of the data, e.g. a sample of a large population maybe a small sample or a large one. The sample size typically depends upon the objective of the research and what the researcher is basically aiming to identify. Quantitative Method: Generally speaking, scientists use this method for statistical analysis.It is defined as a method of research which focuses on numbers. Nowadays, all types of quantitative methods are required in almost every discipline of social science. This is because they help quantify different aspects of the research along with different phenomenon linked to the variables of the research. Generally, after the experiments are held, researchers use statistics to determine the result of their experiments. Statistical analysis is done by taking out a sample from the experiment and is used to determine the approval or disapproval of the entire group. Quantitative research is based on statistical analysis and can be easily replenished. This method is preferred because of its accuracy in social sciences. The fact is the quantitative researches helps quantify the different questions that the researcher has posed for the purpose of the research. There is no aspect of subjectivity involved here, whereas qualitative research can at times be limited because it is more opinion based than anything else and cannot be generalized easily. Quantitative research is done when subjective formulation of theories has been done in the field of study. The quantitative method of data collection is highly systematized and efficient. The major component of quantitative research is how vague concepts of quantity are measured so that statistical tests can be run on their differences between groups(Manion&Morrison,2000). The quantitative data collected is analyzed via statistical databases.If the results of the experiments on the data are significant then it is used to propose a valid hypothesis. Quantitative research of any sample of collected data is systematized and rigorous, which is easier to duplicate and resurrect. The main criticism this method holds is that focuses on one point of the data. Qualitative Method: Miles and Huberman defined Qualitative method as the method that uses words instead of numbers( Miles&Huberman,1994). It is considered “soft” in regard with quantitative methods of research. Within the vast framework of qualitative research there are numerous methods to compile data and results. Qualitative research is very important in the fields of psychology and anthropology because this method probes in deeper into the data to dig out results, which often cannot be analyzed as thoroughly due to other systematic errors.When data based on quantity comes up, we use traditional quantitative methodology. However, when researchers are up against data that cannot qualify into “quantity” category, qualitative methodology is required. The main point of focus in this research is the observation of individuals in their natural habitat. This is very diverse, due to which qualitative research has further methods of obtaining results from a specific data(“Social Search Methods: Qualitative Measures” n.d.). . Qualitative research emphasizes on description, understanding and meaning of the data. This enables the researchers to extract almost positive honest answers from the data, to some extent. Qualitative research is ranked superior to quantitative methods in sensitive situations, such as domestic violence and child-abuse and illegal activities. Qualitative research is considered to be valuable because the results are finer than the results produced by statistical analysis. This method does not resort to numbering and labeling; rather it is based on interviews, questionnaires and otherface to face observations. The interpretation of qualitative results is subjective.The major in-favor point of qualitative research is that it does not focus on one aspect of the data. It can be verified from all angles and corners.The main criticism this method holds is that due to its subjectivity it cannot be duplicated. According to Denzin and Lincoln, The main form of qualitative research is “interviewing”. This means, observing data head-on(Denzin&Lincoln,2008). Other forms are case studies, ethanography e.t.c. Qualitative research has been criticized because the results are based on the accounts of individual’s not numerical assessment. Researchers have tried a lot to make new methods and ways to increase the accuracy, reliability and efficiency of the data sample. Qualitative research methods are highly important in studying human behavior and human populations. However, there are always draw-backs to methodology, lurking in the shadows. Following are the major reasons why qualitative research methods are not considered to be useful enough; Time Constraints This method is very much time consuming. Researchers work with data, compiling it then referencing it and then publishing the thick paper. Researchers spend years and years to collect a sizable amount of data and then analyzing it and producing results. Time constraints impact the way a research is handled greatly. Researchers have to make decisions based on the time limit that they have to adhere to. No research can be conducted over an infinite amount of time. This is true regardless of the subject at hand. Adequate Data Collection While observing, a researcher’s mind may wander off, having the discrepancy of not noting the correct observation. For e.g. if a researcher can not keep his mind on the matter at hand, say he is interviewing a certain individual, if he will not pay attention, he will not observe properly as he is trained to do so. He may miss a very important point of truth or an observable error at his hand. This affects the results of the research drastically. Subjectivity in the Analysis of the Data Researchers always have loads of questions up their sleeve. During interviews and other face-to-face questionnaires, after listening to some of the traits of people, researchers become biased. This messes up the analysis of the data, as the data gets ruined. Maintaining Confidentiality When researchers move into a natural habitat, they have to keep themselves confidential. If the people find out who they are they may turn their personalities into something else, causing a disastrous research. When a researcher is in such a position, he has to make certain intimacies with the people so that his research and its results come out as theorized. He should make sure that the intimacies do not come out in the open, i.e. names and reputations or work, as it will make the people feel betrayed and it may put them at par with the law. Diverse Sample Population Selectivity Sometimes researchers make wide mistakes, which cannot be covered up. Snowball Sampling is a term in this method of research which means that the researcher jeopardizes his research by taking a population sample data from a group of close-knitted friends and family(Family Health International,n.d.). To make his results finer, a researcher should take his data randomly. A sample should be obtained from all over a single population. One technique of observation is that we train some of the people participating in the qualitative research in such a way that their method of observation becomes different from the average participant. They are more sensitive to whatever events may be taking place around them and tend to acquire an inquiring way to thinking. Presence of the Researcher affecting the Study The major disadvantage of qualitative research is that the researcher tries to fit in with a certain population. However, if it’s a closely-knit population, the researcher will be spotted immediately, as him not being one of them. This causes a transformation among the individuals, which can disturb the study massively. Bias is a common occurrence inqualitative research. A researcher should keep calm and show no outward reaction if his subject has not met his expectations. Following are the ways a researcher should go through to avoid bias during a study. Avoid limitations of the sample data. A researcher should not form groups in a sample of a population rather he should make sure that all of the groups are involved. This is a major way to reduce bias. Qualitative research demands that the research may not be focused on a single point. It should be diverse. Every individual should be treated as a separate identity with respect, which should not be exploited under any circumstances. Every person in a population is different. Procedural bias comes in the way, when a few people finish questionnaires and some take more time. Many people fear answering questions, as it may show them as racists or some other personality trait of theirs which they ought to hide. Researchers should be aware of the techniques pertaining to data collection and data measurement. Researchers often use the angles of interviews and questionnaires, to come over the measurement bias. They understand and recognize if the people tell the interviewers the truth or just a bundle of lies. Every little data of observation should be viewed and reviewed, before the experimentation. False positives and negatives tend to falsify the results. The researcher should make sure that he has not mentioned any biases in the results. He should review his work with a critical eye and try to fend of the biases by analyzing them statistically(Experiment Resources ,n.d.). Modern science is a tool we have to keep our observations and research techniques in check. Quantitative and qualitative research methods have been developed so that science remains as rigorous as ever. However, modern science also has its rules. Firstly, the objects of science must be observable. Secondly, the hypothesis from the observations should be verifiable. Thirdly, the results of the experiments must have a potential to accept defeat, i.e. it may have the ability to be regarded as false. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies have vast differences between them. However, every researcher agrees that the qualitative method is perfect for analyzing observable scientific data. In Qualitative method the observations are made before the analysis has been concluded so that technically speaking we do not take any observations after the analysis has been made, because that need does not arise in this sort of research method. The social scientist gathers data doing work in the actual cultural setting which the researcher finds to be interesting. The researcher makes himself at home with his field of study. As that is how one can work at an optimum speed. This is the usual method from which he gains his data and samples.Most of the researchers work with small populations or groups however, sometimes research is also held at a large magnitude for a different purpose. Once the data has been gathered up, researchers write down their observations and analysis. Qualitative researchers usually use the concept of “thick description”.A thick description discusses that what behavior has been shown in a population and how has it been analyzed, though this is always done to bring broader cultural constructs in lime light. A qualitative researcher makes his findings known by formulating them in a “case-study”. In this, his observations, hypotheses, analysis of statistical data are present. His hypotheses are about the people of the world. How they live and socialize in their different circles. This is known as ethnography. Bibliography Brady ,H. E. & Collier ,D. (2004) “Rethinking Social Inquiry; Diverse Tools, Shared Standards”Oxford:Rowman and Littlefield. King ,G., Keohane R. O.& Verba, S. (1994) “Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific inference in Qualitative Research” Princeton , NJ :Princeton University Press. Miles,M. & Huberman ,A. (1994) “Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook”London and Thousand Oaks,CA:Sage. Manion, L. &Morrison,K.( 2000) “Research Methods in Education”London:Routledge. Denzin,N. and Lincoln,Y.( 2008) “Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials”London andThousand Oaks, SAGE Publications. Dixon- Woods ,M., Shaw ,R.L., Agarwal, S., Smith J.A. (2004) “Quality and Safety in Healthcare: The Problem of Appraising Qualitative Research”13:223-225. Weller,S.C&Romney,A.K.(1988)”Systemic Data Collection” Sage publications. Bickmen,L.&Rog,D.J.,(1988)”Handbook of Applied Social Research Methods”Sage publications. Whyte,W.F.(1943)“Street Corner Society: The Social Structure of an Italian Slum” Chicago:University of Chicago Press. Maykut,P.,Maykut,P.S.,Morehose,R.,Morehouse,R.E(1994), “Beginning qualitative research: a philosophic and practical guide”Routledge Hunter,J.E.,Schmidt,F.L.(2004), “Methods of meta-analysis: correcting error and bias in research findings”Sage publications. Kanbur,S.M.R.(2003)”Q-squared, combining qualitative and quantitative methods in poverty appraisal” Orient Blackswan publications., Kathsirikou,A.,Skiadas,C.H,(2010)“Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries: Theory and Applications: Proceedings of the International Conference on QQML2009”World scientific publications. Read More