Discussion Topic: Discuss the differences and similarities between quantitative, qualitative and mix methods research studies.
Requirements:
– Formatted and cited in current APA 7
– Use at least 500 words (no included 1st page or references in the 500 words)
– Use 3 academic sources. Not older than 5 years
– Not Websites are allowed.
– Plagiarism is NOT allowed
Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research studies are all different approaches to conducting research, but they also share some similarities.
Quantitative research studies are characterized by their use of numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses and draw conclusions. This type of research is often used to establish cause-and-effect relationships and to make generalizations about a population. It is useful in fields such as medicine, psychology, and sociology.
On the other hand, qualitative research studies rely on non-numerical data, such as observations, interviews, and open-ended surveys, to gain an understanding of the experiences, perspectives, and meanings of the participants. Qualitative research is often used to explore complex social phenomena, such as culture and identity, and to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of individuals. It is used in fields such as anthropology, sociology and education.
Mixed methods research studies, as the name implies, combine both quantitative and qualitative methods in a single study. The use of both types of methods allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the research question by triangulating data from different sources. Mixed methods studies are useful in fields such as health and social sciences where both quantitative and qualitative data is required to gain a complete understanding of the phenomenon under study.
Similarities between these three research methods include that all three are used to gain knowledge and understanding of a phenomenon, they are all based on a systematic and rigorous approach to data collection and analysis, and they all require a clear research question or hypothesis.
In conclusion, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research studies are all different approaches to conducting research, but they share some similarities. Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses and is useful in different fields and for different research questions. It is important to consider the research question and the data that will be collected in order to determine the best approach to use.
References
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage publications.
Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2018). Handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research. Sage publications.
