Critical Analysis and Research Methodology - Essay Example

CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY By Location Introduction For the successful execution of research, the individuals engaging in such studies must identify the appropriate approach. Basically, there are two approaches to research namely qualitative and quantitative methods (Bell, 2005). Qualitative research aims at studying attributes that cannot be measured using scientific scale while quantitative methods measure the numerical variables that can be quantified through appropriate data collection then analyzed to make inferences (Bryman, 2004). The first imminent difference between the two is that qualitative research involves the use of research questions while quantitative research methodology aims at answering the set hypothesis. However, the kind of the methodology to use depends on the research thus it will dictate the methods useful for collecting data (Grix, 2004). Therefore, quantitative data involves measuring variables and also verifying the existing theories. In such instances, the generated data is used to develop a new hypothesis. On the contrary, meanings, beliefs, as well as experiences are better understood through qualitative research. In such instances, the researchers collect qualitative data by using appropriate data collection methods. On the other hand, the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data require proper knowledge of coding of the variables so that the qualities or attributes can be presented using numerical values (Bryman, 2004). Whichever the approach the research assumes, data collection methods are almost common to the two methods since they involve the usual tools like interviews, surveys, observations, field experiments, questionnaires, laboratory experiments and participatory observations (Grix, 2004). Therefore, the aim of this analysis is to find out issues that researchers must consider when undertaking quantitative research by using questionnaires as the data collection techniques. In this regard, the analysis will highlight issues such as features of quantitative research, strengths, and weaknesses as well as illustrating some of the contemporary issues involved when using questionnaires in quantitative research. Research Method and Research Methodology There is always confusion between research methods and research methodology especially for individuals undertaking research for the first time. Therefore, research methods are the techniques, tools, and processes that help in accomplishing the particular study (Bell, 2005). In this regards, tools and techniques like interviews, surveys, participatory observations are some of the research methods. Selection of research methods and how individuals use them entirely depends on the research methodology. The implication is that research methodology shapes the use and application of the research methods. On the contrary, methodology studies the execution or how the research is carried out (Kuman, 2005). It involves explaining how researcher finds out about their subjects of interests and also explains how the knowledge is gained. Simply put, research methodology refers to the principles guiding the research practices (Grix, 2004). Therefore, research methodology explains why certain tools or methods are used in research. Features of quantitative research Quantitative research basically has some unique features because it assumes the deductive scientific method and used mainly to offer description, prediction and explanation (Bell, 2005). Besides, quantitative research is fundamentally based on numerical or nominal values thus depends on the analysis of particular variables. On the other hand, the results of a quantitative data are statistical in nature where the goal of the researcher is to generalize the findings or results. Therefore, quantitative research uses statistical methods and numbers as the fundamental tools and indicators. The analysis is the main part of the quantitative research as it offers an explanation of how variables behave and interact (Grix, 2004). Another feature of quantitative research is the association with large-scale studies and involves condensing the information gotten from large occurrences to the general description or investigation into the causal hypothesis (Bryman, 2004). Also important to note that hypothesis is the main feature that differentiates this method from the qualitative approach in that the hypothesis must be testable since it is a quantitative research). Another feature of quantitative research is the tendency of the researcher detachment where the numerical data is entirely independent or dethatched from the researcher thus it is highly controlled and this makes it the most appropriate preferred by many researchers (Grix, 2004). On the other hand, quantitative data is associated with or depends on pre-determined research designs that involve using measurements and also carrying out analysis in logically and systematically ordered fashion. In this case, the systematic and logical analysis opens room easy replications by other researchers in future. Most importantly, the validity as well as reliability of the research is easily measured numerically by using some statistical tests. Nonetheless, the common perception or assumption of the quantitative research is the emphasis on providing proof rather than focusing on discovery like the qualitative research (Cresswell, 2002). Therefore, from the above features, three designs of quantitative research that are commonly used include experimental, quasi-experimental and descriptive and correlational. Reliability, validity, generalisability, representativeness Reliability The underlying assumption is that all research, no matter how well they are carried out have a certain degree of error (Noble & Smith, 2015). However, most of the errors are associated with the manner in which the data is gathered. Therefore, most of the mistakes occur because researchers do not put the reliability of their studies into considerations. In this regard, research reliability tries to explain whether the particular results gotten from the study can be extended to a larger group than the participants in the research (Ali & Yusof, 2012). In this case, reliability seeks to find out if similar results are obtainable if a different group or different data set is used. Therefore, the primary concern of research reliability is to find out if the data collection method gives consistent results. A perfect way to measure reliability is having researchers following the exact methods in a bid verify whether the results can be replicated (Noble & Smith, 2015). Obtaining similar results is an indication that the method of gathering data is reliable. Validity Research validity tries to measure certain concepts that may difficult or complex for non-researchers to understand. However, validity, as used in the research context, tries to figure out whether the research is concerned with measuring what it claims to study from the hypothesis (Ali & Yusof, 2012). Though research validity can be measured in various ways, the big question that is always asked is whether the researcher measures what he or she intends to measure. Therefore, any doubt on the accuracy of measuring the variables may put the research into question thus it might not be valid for future reference (Noble & Smith, 2015). Representativeness When collecting data, researchers use different approaches to assigning the participants in the study where they have to sample the population. While doing so, the researcher must make ensure that the selected sample size is an accurate representation of the subject population. Therefore, representativeness refers to the extent to which as a sample is similar to the target population in any way possible (Noble & Smith, 2015). The implication is that the sampling technique must be able to represent the population well. However, factors like sampling procedure are crucial determinants of the representativeness of a sample because some of the sampling techniques may be way better than others. Besides, the sample size is a determinant factor since the larger the population size, the greater the representativeness. Finally, representativeness is also affected by the participation rates where the more the participants, the greater the representativeness. Generalisability There is no definite definition of generalization though the term can just mean the extent to which research results can be applied to situations or cases beyond the study. In this case, generalisability is describing how the research findings are applied to settings beyond the ones in which the study was originally tested (Ali & Yusof, 2012). The implication is that generalization occurs when a researcher can look at the findings from the sample population and generalize them to the entire target population or the whole population. In this case, if a fact or a phenomenon applies to the sample, then the same should be applicable to other elements or subjects of the target population (Noble & Smith, 2015). Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research Strengths A quantitative research approach is advantageous owing to the ability to validate and test results. The implication is that the research method is based on constructed theories that explain why and how certain phenomena happen thus it is easy to test the results, and validity is quite high (Cresswell, 2002). On the other hand, the research involves testing hypothesis that is always constructed before the data collection process thus the hypothesis acts as the direction to the study. Another imminent advantage is the possibility of generalizing the research findings especially when data has been based on the random samples from large sample size (Bell, 2005). Besides, it is possible to generalize results after replication from different populations, as well as subpopulations. Nonetheless, quantitative research creates the room for obtaining data that can be used to carry out quantitative predictions. Moreover, a researcher using the quantitative research approach is in a good position to construct situations that may eliminate the influence of have many variables thus allowing the researcher to establish credible cause-effect relationships (Kuman, 2005). In addition, data collection under some quantitative methods like interviews, telephone among others is quick. One of the reasons as to why researchers choose quantitative methods is because of the ease of carrying out data analysis, especially using convenient statistical software like the computer aided analysis packages like Excel (Cresswell, 2002). Besides, the study results are entirely independent of the researcher thus the method has high statistical significance. Finally, quantitative research may be used to study a large number of people thus useful for administrative and governance purposes (Cresswell, 2002). Weaknesses On the contrary, quantitative research is rather complex thus the local constituents or the target population may sometimes not understand the categories and parameters used by the researcher (Cresswell, 2002). In this case, there may be a problem of understanding the different variables and their relationships. Another possible weakness is that the theoretical underpinnings may prove difficult for the local constituents to understand (Kuman, 2005). Most of the quantitative researcher put a lot of emphasis on the hypothesis testing and theory thus there is the high possibility of missing out on crucial points or phenomenon occurring in the area of study. Therefore, there is a high degree of confirmation bias when it comes to quantitative research methods (Bell, 2005). In most quantitative studies, the resulting knowledge is always general, and abstract thus might not be used directly in specific contexts and local situations. Basic features of questionnaires Survey is a general term that refers to the data collection methods like questionnaires and interviews used in the quantitative research (Kothari, 2011). Therefore, the most preferred method of collecting data in the quantitative research is the use of questionnaires. In this regard, questionnaires are survey questions designed to help and guide respondents when participating in the study as it involves asking them to provide the needed data based on the described variables in the questionnaire sheet (Grix, 2004). Conversely, questionnaires can take two forms namely closed and open questionnaires. The use of closed questionnaires is where the researcher records the response by him or herself while open questionnaires offer the respondents the chance to record the responses themselves by following the guidelines. Nonetheless, researchers prefer questionnaires because they are practical, enable them to collect large amount of data and limits the issues of validity and reliability of data (Kuman, 2005). Besides, it is easy to analyze the collected data, and the easy quantification creates room for easy comparison and contrast of the existing relationships among the variables. The first and important feature of a questionnaire is the introduction part where the researcher an explains the importance of the study and what may be achieved by engaging in the research (Kothari, 2011). The introduction also includes instructions on how to feel the questionnaire and also explain how the researcher will guarantee anonymity. The second feature is the questions to be answered by the respondents where they researcher can either use closed or open-ended questions (Grix, 2004). The language should be comprehensible, and the questions must also be arranged in the appropriate sequence. On the other hand, the researcher should avoid using difficult questions at the beginning as this may discourage the participants. Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires Questionnaires provide the opportunity for the researcher to engage directly with the participants thus able to identify and interact with elements of the study (Kothari, 2011). Besides, questionnaires, especially direct engagement in the study offers the chance to explain the motive behind the study, and this can encourage high participatory rates. It is also easy to analyze the questionnaires because the answers are always straight forward in nature. However, questionnaires are always difficult to design given the type of data they seek to collect in quantitative research (Grix, 2004). In some instances, researchers send the questionnaires through postal addresses and emails thus response rates may be quite low as compared to direct engagement in the data collection process. Kinds of research suitable for questionnaires Questionnaires are basically suitable for quantitative research seeking to find out the relationships between numerical variables. In this case, the data collection method offers the researcher with the chance to identify how numerical variables change with the occurrence of a certain phenomenon (Kothari, 2011). Besides, questionnaires are suitable for studies that do not require direct engagement or participation by the researcher. On the contrary, questionnaires cannot be used in research seeking to find out complex variables that could only be achieved through laboratory or field experiments because such researchers depend on scientific research and not collecting data from the participants (Grix, 2004). Triangulation and Methodological Pluralism In the context of research, triangulation involves the use of more than one method of data collection on the same research topic or study question (Hoque, Covaleski & Gooneratne, 2013). Therefore, triangulation is a perfect way of ensuring that the research has a high validity since there is the use of many methods of collecting data including using different samples. However, the main purpose of triangulation is capturing the different aspects or dimensions of the same topic. Therefore, triangulation is the source of additional information or valuable insight that is not easy to achieve through direct communication with the participants. On the other hand, methodological pluralism is the principle that focuses on choosing the best and the most appropriate method that suits the problem under research or the focus of the study (Hantrais, 2014). In this case, the approach calls for the researchers to appreciate different approaches and also take into consideration the importance that researchers attach to the different methodologies. Conclusion In summary, research involves choosing the best approach and strategy that will help in fulfilling the mission and objectives of the study. Therefore, the two approaches of undertaking research, quantitative and qualitative, dictate the methodology that the study will adopt. Quantitative research methodology, in particular, focuses on studying numerical variables since they can be quantified. Besides, the common methods of collecting quantitative data include surveys, observations, and experiments. Nonetheless, the common parameters that are used to evaluate research include reliability, variability, generalisability and representatives. Furthermore, the essay has discussed some of the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research with the recommendations of the situations where the approach may be appropriate or types of research that might not be suitable for quantitative research. 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Kuman, R 2005, A step-by-step Guide to Research Methodology, Sage Publishers. Noble, H, & Smith, J 2015, ‘Issues of validity and reliability in qualitative research’, Evidence Based Nursing, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 34-35. Read More