Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Qualitative research is an investigative technique that evaluates causes of circumstances to study and give interpretations in social issues (Creswell, 2009). On the other hand, Given (2009) defines quantitative research as a statistical methodology applied to evaluate phenomena through empirical techniques. The two researches pose variations in terms of purposes, samples, type and form of data, and analysis methods among others (Creswell, 2009).
For instance, where as quantitative research pays particulate attention to testing hypothesis and evaluating causes or effects, qualitative research understands and provides interpretations to problems. Additionally, unlike quantitative research that applies randomization and large samples; qualitative research has a small and biased sample population (Dexter, 2007).
Exploratory Research Design and Qualitative Research
Most exploratory research designs give qualitative data (Stebbins, 2010). These researches assist to interpret a concept without identifying the exact figures supporting a specified claim (Gibaldi, 2009). In essence, exploratory research does not require mathematical analysis to explain occurrences. Although a researcher could collect numeric data for informal investigations, the data is used to determine qualities but not mathematical interpretations. Also, the outcomes are qualitative because they arise from observing, identifying characters, and interpreting through the use of words (Gubrium & Holstein, 2002). Finally, the design aims at providing a background of the problem for future researches.
Qualitative Research Orientation
Qualitative research could be oriented into four basic categories (Munhall, 2012). The first category involves description of natural occurrences or things. The research is termed as phenomenology (Lindlof, & Taylor, 2011). Secondly, ethnography makes descriptions of people and their cultural lives. The other category is Grounded theory that derives new theories from data collected after the occurrence of a phenomenon. Finally, there are researches that involve evaluation of cases to retrieve explanations. Additionally, some researches require scientific testing to expand and confirm existing knowledge (Harrington, 2009).
This orientation is referred to as positivist. On the other hand, some researches retrieve information from a society to evaluate ideas. Therefore, many ideas are collected for interpretation through interpretive research orientation (Salkind, 2010). Finally, there is a critical research orientation that utilizes available information.
Suited Orientation for Confirmatory Research
Interpretive orientation lays bases that allow investigation from people (Harper, 2010). It involves collecting ideas from people and using them to approve or disapprove hypothesis. Therefore, it could be argued that interpretive orientation is more suited for conducting confirmatory research about businesses.
Suggested Exploratory Research
Quantitative research allows mathematical analysis regarding the funds invested in producing nontobacco cigarette (Creswell, 2010). Proper analysis must be conducted to determine whether cost and market factors will be compatible with the new product.
When expanding organizations, such as companies, quantitative research must be conducted to evaluate whether an established company can afford to raise a new company. Therefore, corporate spin-off will require quantitative research that will determine sustainability of the two corporations.
Retrieving information from the workers for analysis exemplifies qualitative analysis. In this case, the human resource manager will get data determining the most beneficial aspects of employee’s health. Consequently, the most appropriate research will be qualitative.
Similarly, qualitative research will be applied to spot the imagery related to smoking of cigar (Tufte, 2011)). This is because the advertiser must reach people to retrieve the ideas.
Focus group and Depth Interviews
Focus group interview is an interactive section that allows expression of ideas to a group of people in a free manner (Walden, 2012). Contrary, depth interview depicts a confidential and secretive session of retrieving data in the field (Martin, 2012).
References
Creswell, J. (2010). Quantitative research. Sil: General Books.
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.
Dexter, P. (2009). Historical analysis of population reactions to stimuli a case study of the Solomon Islands. Edinburgh, Aust.: DSTO.
Gibaldi, J. (2009). MLA handbook for writers of research papers. New York: Modern Language Association of America.
Given, Lisa M. (2008). The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. Los Angeles, Calif.: Sage Publications
Gubrium, J. F., & Holstein, J. A. (2002). Handbook of interview research: context & method. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.
Harper, S. (2010). Interview. Sil: Publishamerica Inc..
Harrington, D. (2009). Confirmatory factor analysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lindlof, T. R., & Taylor, B. C. (2011). Qualitative communication research methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE.
Martin, C. (2012). Boost your interview IQ. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Munhall, P. L. (2012). Nursing research: a qualitative perspective (5th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Salkind, N. J. (2010). Encyclopedia of research design. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.
Stebbins, R. A. (2001). Exploratory research in the social sciences. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.
Tufte, E. R. (2011). The visual display of quantitative information (2nd ed.). Cheshire, Conn.: Graphics Press.
Walden, G. R. (2012). Focus Group Research. London: SAGE Publications.