Introduction
Research is crucial for any educational field since it promotes systematic investigations and establishes facts with new conclusions. Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-approach study designs are used to gather and analyze data. While qualitative involves the use of non-numeric data, quantitative one uses numbers to make conclusions on hypotheses. On the other hand, an approach combines both designs. The choice of a research design offers the researchers a wide range of advantages. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative research designs have distinguished strengths which are crucial for a given study.
Qualitative Research Design
Qualitative research design gathers and analyzes descriptive data to establish some facts by proving or disproving given hypotheses. The research aims at gaining an in-depth understanding of social realities such as attitudes, motivations, and beliefs (Adams et al., 2014, p.56). Some of the data collection techniques applied are in-depth interviews, observations, and focus groups (Emerald Publishing, 2019). Qualitative research design has various strengths that make it crucial for understanding complex phenomena. Firstly, the design offers an in-depth and succinct knowledge of intricate social, cultural, and psychological factors. Through this design, researchers gain detailed insights into perspectives and meanings that are attached to a given phenomenon.
Secondly, qualitative research design provides a flexible method of collecting data for analysis. Descriptive data may be gathered by use of a wide range of methodologies, including observations, surveys, and questionnaires, among others (Jack and Raturi, 2006, p.342). Consequently, the researchers structure their questions based on emerging themes. Thirdly, the design is rich in data that cannot be explained using quantitative methods (Jack and Raturi, 2006, p.345). For instance, motivations and social dynamics are unquantified but described. Lastly, this approach enhances internal validity through the use of triangulation and member checking (Noble and Heale, 2019, p.68). Qualitative research design is, thus, important, whereas quantitative research fails to give conclusive and more accurate results.
Quantitative Research Design
Unlike the qualitative research approach, quantitative design involves the collection and analysis of numeric data. The study method is widely used in technical fields and, to some extent in social sciences such as economics and psychology (Emerald Publishing, 2019). Although data collection can involve methods similar to qualitative ones, this design presents various unique strengths. Firstly, the design is more objective than the qualitative approach. Statistical methods and measurements applied reduce the biases and subjectivity of a given quantitative study. Secondly, it is easy for the researchers to generalize their study findings. The strength of generalizability is anchored on the possibility of analyzing large data samples.
Thirdly, the quantitative research design is more precise than the qualitative one. Unlike descriptive data, the use of statistical analysis allows researchers to accurately quantify relationships and patterns in their data (Philo Notes, 2020). Consequently, the design is associated with more accurate conclusions and predictions than the qualitative one. Lastly, the quantitative design allows the replication of data and comparison with other studies or phenomena. The use of graphs and other visualizations helps in understanding changes over a given period (Emerald Publishing, 2019). Quantitative research is more replicable, predictable, precise, and accurate compared to a qualitative approach.
Conclusion
A research design determines the accuracy of the conclusion and hypotheses in a given study. Researchers use two major study design approaches: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative design involves descriptive data, while quantitative design uses numbers to conclude on predicated research findings. Questionnaires, focus groups, surveys, and interviews are used to collect numerical and non-numerical data. While the qualitative design is insightful, flexible, data-rich, and internally valid, the quantitative one is objective, generalizable, precise, and replicable.
Reference List
Adams, J., Khan, H.T.A. and Raeside, R. (2014) Research methods for business and social science students. 2nd Ed. Sage. India: New Delhi.
Emerald Publishing (2019) How to use mixed methods research? Web.
Jack, E.P. and Raturi, A.S. (2006) ‘Lessons learned from methodological triangulation in management research’, Management Research News, 29(6), pp. 345-357.
Noble, H. and Heale, R. (2019) ‘Triangulation in research, with examples’, Evidence-Based Nursing, 22(3), pp. 67-68. Web.
Philo Notes (2020) What is research design? Web.