lecture4.pptx
- 2. Session Contents 1. Overview of research methods 2. Distinction between quantitative & qualitative research 3. Types & applicability of different research methods Session Contents
- 4. Differences between quantitative & qualitative research The distinction between quantitative and qualitative research is not always as clear-cut: Individual and household surveys o Commonly associated with quantitative, large sample research o Could also be used for a qualitative case study o Household surveys are questionnaires that are given to a sample of households in a population. Key Informant interviews and community discussions o Commonly associated with qualitative, semi-structured data collection & analysis o Could also be used for quantitative data collection & analysis where time and resources do not allow a large, representative sample o Key informants can be a wide range of people, including agency representatives, community residents, community leaders, or local business owners. o A community discussion is an online conversation between users and the specific spaces they share to exchange ideas and words to participate, interact, share knowledge and communicate about a common topic. Focus Group Discussions o Perhaps the most distinctly qualitative research method, always administered using a semi- structured data collection tool o Often analysed using content analysis i.e. a somewhat quantitative approach counting the number of times a theme or set of words appear with the discussion transcripts o This content analysis can then inform the more in-depth qualitative analysis. o A focus group is a small group of participants who share their feelings or perceptions on a particular topic with researchers. Differences between quantitative & qualitative research
- 5. Differences between quantitative & qualitative research Distinction between the two can be made based on the following three criteria: Quantitative Qualitative 1. Type of data collection Structured, close-ended data (YES/NO) collection tools Semi-structured (but not unstructured) data collection tools 2. Type of analysis Measuring prevalence, (randomly select sample) quantifying issues (putting it in numbers) , and primarily involves deductive analysis (logical approach) Exploratory, and primarily involves inductive analysis (primarily use detailed readings of raw data) 3. Type of sampling strategy Can use both probability or non-probability sampling generalisation to the wider population possible Non-probability sampling generalisation to the wider population not possible
- 6. The term 'semi-structured qualitative study' (SSQS) – is used here to refer to qualitative approaches, typically involving interviews and observations, that have some explicit structure to them, in terms of theory or method, but are not completely structured. Structured data-- is information that is rigidly formatted so that it's easily searchable in a relational database (Organized data) . It's usually quantitative information. Examples include names, dates, emails, prices, and other information we're used to seeing stored in spreadsheets
- 8. Types of research methods (1) Category Type of research methods Description When to use this method Quantitative Structured, probability sampling/ census Structured, close-ended data collection; Quantitative analysis; Data collected from a census or through large samples, with sample size calculated based on probability theory To measure prevalence and make generalizable claims, To conduct deductive analysis (relationship tests, verify hypothesis) To identify key factors that influence a particular outcome or understand the best predictors of a specific outcome Qualitative Structured, non- probability sampling Structured, close-ended data collection; Qualitative analysis; Can be small or large sizes; non- probability sampling To measure prevalence (indicative only) but contextual and/ or logistical constraints do not allow for large, representative samples To draw indicative inferences from a sample to a population
- 9. Types of research methods (2) Category Type of research methods Description When to use this method Qualitative Semi-structured, non- probability sampling Semi-structured data collection; Qualitative analysis; Relatively small sample sizes; non-probability sampling No measurement of prevalence or verification of hypothesis needed; No or limited prior understanding of the situation to be studied and the specific variables to be assessed; To conduct inductive analysis i.e. explore and develop a theory or pattern of meaning, based on experiences, observations and perspectives of the situation being studied Mixed Methods N/A Combines both qualitative and quantitative methods, both in terms of collecting and analyzing both types of data but also using both in tandem to enhance the overall strength of the study Quantitative or qualitative methods by themselves inadequate to understand the research problem; To use all methods possible to obtain an in-depth, comprehensive understanding of the research problem.
- 10. The most powerful research method? Mixed methods research – if time, access, resources allow! Common misnomer that quantitative research is the strongest – not always! Not all issues need to explained in a quantifiable way Some issues are over-simplified if only explored in numeric terms In-depth explanation and contextualisation is useful Ultimately depends on the research objectives