Quantitative versus Qualitative Research
Qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection are techniques that offer a compromise between the values of depth and breath, as well as between specific targeting and generalizing of the target population. On the one hand, a method of separating particular groups of population, for instance, college graduates (a qualitative technique) can help with providing insights about the relationship of gender differences and the selection of the major in science. The generalization method (quantitative technique), on the other hand, generalizes the information about the participants of the survey and their plans in selecting a science major (National Science Foundation n.d., p. 43).
The distinction between the two methods of research may seem too simple. However, both methods can be beneficial or not when it comes to “satisfying the canons of scientific rigor” (National Science Foundation n.d., p. 44). The researchers that implement the quantitative method of research now understand that the acquired data may not be completely accurate. This can happen when the study group that responds to questions misinterprets them or recalls events in a wrong way. Furthermore, it has been recognized that both methods of research are applicable within the cultural context as well within the context of beliefs and perceptions of the individuals the conducts the research and individuals that
Quantitative Research Data Assessment
The quantitative research data set presented by the Global Health Observatory shows the quantity of deaths per 100,000 people across the African region, the region of Americas, Eastern Mediterranean region, European region, South-East Asia Region, and the Western-Pacific regions. The presented data was published in 2000 and 2012 thus the gap between the death instances data is twelve years.
The assessment of data on the death rates caused by various illnesses (diabetes, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, cardiovascular disease) and conditions (maternal, neonatal) is driven by the importance of understanding the factors that can and cannot be controlled by the Global health institutions (World Health Organization 2014, p. 7). The African region exhibits the highest numbers of mortality instances due to this region being exposed to a large quantity of deathly diseases such as HIV/AIDS. In addition, the low-income capability does not allow for the population to get access to appropriate health care services (Deaton, Fortson & Tortora 2008, p. 21). The table below shows data about the African region – deaths per 100,000 people for all causes and both sexes.
According to the statistics shown above, there is a difference between the number of deaths per 100,000 males and females. Furthermore, when comparing the data taken with a twelve-year interval, it is evident that the death rates had gone down. The number of deaths that resulted from all causes in all sexes has gone down by 30% since 2000.
In order to show the significance of the figures given above, it is important to compare them with the data on the South-Eastern Asian region where the healthcare system is constantly evolving to come to a commonly acceptable solution of dealing with the challenges caused by the spreading diseases (Hashim et al. 2012, para. 1).
As illustrated in the statistics above, the quantity of deaths per 100,000 people is significantly lower than that in the African region. Because of the pressure placed on the healthcare system to meet the increasing demands of the population as well as the emergence of large bulks of professionals interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, the region of South-Eastern Asia exhibits much lower rates of deaths compared with the African region (Hashim et al. 2012, para. 19).
The presented data on the deaths in the African and South-East Asian regions is relevant for understanding the state of such regions in terms of healthcare and well-being. Even in the case of the analyzed data being incomplete, it can still be beneficial – any data is much better than no data. The quantitative data on the death rates per 100,000 people is already used by researchers in order to get generalized information about the state of health in global regions. As mentioned in the World Health Organization report on the importance of global health assessment, quantitative data analysis, although incomplete, can become a primary step in planning the further actions connected with addressing the most dangerous causes of death.
Qualitative Research Data Assessment
The qualitative data for the analysis is taken from the research “Changes Around Food Experience: Impact of Reduced Contact with Food on the Social Engagement and Well-Being of Older Women, 2007-2008” conducted by Lee Hooper from the University of East Anglia. The primary objectives of the project included understanding how the impact on older women with reduced contact with food changes over time as well as how it influences the overall well-being of the interviewed women. The qualitative study of this topic worked with women aged sixty-five years and older that do not make their own meals but live alone at their homes (Economic and Social Research Council 2014, para. 2).
The dataset used in the study is readily available though the United Kingdom archive of data and is used by scientists in their further research. The results of the study are used in the published academic papers, used to teach medical students, as well as to provide information for policymakers on the establishment of various centres that offer meals for the elderly as well as the Meals on Wheels (a programme of supplying meals to individuals that are unable to prepare or buy meals themselves) (Research Councils UK n.d., para. 6).
The table below shows the data on three interviewed women and the primary conditions that relate to their food-related behaviour. The primary characteristics include the type of housing in which women live, whether they live alone, the level of support they receive, whether they rely on someone else for food shopping, as well as other aspects. The analysis of the data will be instrumental in assessing the food-related behaviour of the interviewees as well as their attitudes towards preparing food.
The three interviewed women live alone independently without visiting any lunch clubs. While one of them relies on others for shopping, the other two women prefer to shop for food themselves. The qualitative data was collected with the use of interviews that were semi-structured, as well as through a focus group and observation. The reason for women aged sixty-five and older to change their behaviour is connected with their health condition, loss of a partner, or loss of the carer role in a family. The changes in the food behavior did not entail entirely negative consequences, on the contrary, the relationship with food has changed qualitatively – by exploring new options for their meals, women engaged into new previously unknown environments (Economic and Social Research Council 2014, para. 7).
Furthermore, the reduction of instances of preparing food did not have a negative influence of passivity or debility within the study group. On the other hand, the changes in lifestyle were important for changing the value and the importance of food in their lives and establishing new connections with the community by means of being out and about (Hooper 2012, p. 32).
The topics covered by the interviewed Susan, Emily, and Milly included their food-related memories, their family background, their history of employment and providing food for their families, as well as the changes in their eating habits (UK Data Service n.d., para. 11). The Changes Around Food Experience (CAFE) study had shown the way in which the reduction of contact with food led the study group of older women to develop new habits and optimize the already existing strategies. The conditions of reduced contact with food led to new activities related to food. In cases when their needs of socializing overcame the desire to cook, the women discovered various ways around these desires at the same time with sustaining those components of food engagement they valued the most (Lane et al. 2013, p. 29).
The future research priorities of the study’s findings relate to proper understanding the value of food shopping, cooking meals for partners, and understanding the fact that older women that live in care homes have significantly reduced their experiences with food. In addition, the research is valuable for comparing and contrasting the food-related behaviours of the interviewed women from Norfolk and women from other geographical areas or ethnic minorities (Lane n.d., p. 15).
Reference List
Deaton, A, Fortson, J & Tortora, R 2008, Live (evaluation), HIV/AIDS, and death in Africa, Web.
Economic and Social Research Council n.d., Café: changes around food experience (impact of reduced contact with food on social engagement and wellbeing of older women), Web.
Hashim, J, Chongsuvivatwong, V, Hong Phua, K, Pocock, N, Mui Teng, Y, Chhem, R, Wilopo, S & Lopez, A 2012, Health and healthcare systems in Southeast Asia, Web.
Hooper, L 2012, Changes around food experience: impact of reduced contact with food on the social engagement and well-being of older women, 2007-2008, Web.
Lane, K n.d., CafĂ© – changes around food experience, Web.
Lane, K, Poland, F, Fleming, S, Lambert, N, MacDonald, H, Potter, J, Raats, M, Skidmore, P, Vince, C, Wellings, A & Hooper, L 2013, Older women’s reduced contact with food in the CAFE study: choices, adaptations and dynamism, Web.
National Science Foundation n.d., An overview of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, Web.
Research Counclils UK n.d., CafĂ© – changes around food experience, Web.
UK Data Service n.d., Changes around food experience: impact of reduced contact with food on the social engagement and well-being of older women, 2007-2008, Web.
World Health Organization 2014, Global status report on noncommunicable diseases, Web.