RESEARCH METHODS

Maria Brewster
Fujairah Mens College
Lecture 1A

METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

Two types of methods for data collection

Quantitative

Qualitative

Researchers in both paradigms use both

methods above but differ in the way they
interpret the data

Scientific researchers use statistics/numbers

Interpretive researchers use description and

categories

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College

QUALITATIVE VS. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Qualitative Research
Objective /
purpose

Quantitative Research

To gain an understanding of underlying

reasons and motivations

To quantify data and generalize results from a

sample to the population of interest

To provide insights into the setting of a

problem, generating ideas and/or
hypotheses for later quantitative research

To measure the incidence of various views and

opinions in a chosen sample

Sometimes followed by qualitative research

which is used to explore some findings further

To uncover prevalent trends in thought and

opinion

Sample

Usually a small number of non-representative

cases. Respondents selected to fulfil a given
quota.

Usually a large number of cases representing the

population of interest. Randomly selected
respondents.

Data
collection

Unstructured or semi-structured techniques e.g.

individual depth interviews or group discussions.

Structured techniques such as online questionnaires,

on-street or telephone interviews.

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College

QUALITATIVE VS. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Data analysis

Non-statistical.

Statistical data is usually in the form

of tabulations (tabs). Findings are
conclusive and usually descriptive in
nature.

Outcome

Exploratory and/or investigative.

Findings are not conclusive and
cannot be used to make
generalizations about the
population of interest. Develop an
initial understanding and sound
base for further decision making.

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College

MORE ON QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Qualitative research is descriptive.

Asks broad questions and collects word data from participants

Researcher looks for themes

Methods include:

Interview transcripts

Field notes

Videotapes

Observations

Personal documents

Official documents

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College

MORE ON QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Qualitative research is concerned with process

more than with outcomes or products.

Qualitative researchers tend to analyze their

data inductively

No hypotheses are generated/proven or

disproven

Theory develops from the collected data

This bottom up approach is called grounded

theory

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College

MORE ON QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Systematic investigation into a social

phenomena via statistical, mathematical or
computational techniques (Given, 2008)

Data is in numerical form

Research asks a specific question and collects

numerical data from people to answer that
question

Researcher then uses statistics to answer the

question

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College

MORE ON QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

This type of research is widely used in social

sciences (psychology, economics, sociology,
marketing, IT, etc.)

Usually starts with the generation of a hypothesis

(tentative answer to a question generally based
upon prior research)

Common methods

Questionnaires & surveys

Experiments using statistics

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College

FORMS OF DATA

Choice of data collection method depends on

the type of data:

Nominal

Ordinal

Includes names and categories but does not lend

itself to mathematical operations

Can be ranked without numerical value

Metric

Has a numerical value that can be treated by

mathematical operations

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College

ANOTHER WAY TO CLASSIFY DATA

What does the NOIR acronym refer to?

Go to this website

http://changingminds.org/explanations/research
/measurement/types_data.htm

Write a brief description in your notes about each

type of data and give an example

Adapted from presentation written by Dr. Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College