A500.6.3.RB_MaceRoyce
According to Hoepfl (1997), "Qualitative research, broadly defined, means any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification. Where quantitative researchers seek causal determination, prediction, and generalization of findings, qualitative researchers seek instead illumination, understanding, and extrapolation to similar situations. Qualitative analysis results in a different type of knowledge than does quantitative inquiry."
Essentially, qualitative research encompasses the realm outside of quantitative research. It seeks to explain the unknown beyond numbers, patterns, and figures. Additionally, qualitative research can also help to support quantitative data and vice versa. Working together, both quantitative and qualitative research can become a powerful tool in searching for answers and providing solid results in almost any area of study.
Qualitative research seems to be type of research that is preferred for higher learning at the graduate level. At the undergraduate level, there seemed to be the need for quantitative data solely and no discussion about qualitative data. I'm sure that to some degree, we were doing some qualitative research without really knowing what it was, but it was never brought up as a type of research and never a focus of study.
An easy way for me to describe quantitative vs. qualitative research is to describe quantitative data as a regurgitation of information. Facts, data, and previously recorded information helps to define quantitative data. Alternatively, qualitative data searches for the unknown and looks at the answers to questions on a different playing field. I hope to fully develop my qualitative research skills throughout my M.S. program as it opens up learning to a new, in-depth level and helps the researcher to explain topics in a diverse and individualistic manner. Delivering qualitative research with the help of critical thinking can open up to a new world of learning for the researcher and the learning community as a whole.
References
Hoepfl, M. C. (1997). Choosing Qualitative Research: A Primer for Technology Education
Researchers. Journal of Technology Education, 9. Retrieved from
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v9n1/hoepfl.html#strauss
Essentially, qualitative research encompasses the realm outside of quantitative research. It seeks to explain the unknown beyond numbers, patterns, and figures. Additionally, qualitative research can also help to support quantitative data and vice versa. Working together, both quantitative and qualitative research can become a powerful tool in searching for answers and providing solid results in almost any area of study.
Qualitative research seems to be type of research that is preferred for higher learning at the graduate level. At the undergraduate level, there seemed to be the need for quantitative data solely and no discussion about qualitative data. I'm sure that to some degree, we were doing some qualitative research without really knowing what it was, but it was never brought up as a type of research and never a focus of study.
An easy way for me to describe quantitative vs. qualitative research is to describe quantitative data as a regurgitation of information. Facts, data, and previously recorded information helps to define quantitative data. Alternatively, qualitative data searches for the unknown and looks at the answers to questions on a different playing field. I hope to fully develop my qualitative research skills throughout my M.S. program as it opens up learning to a new, in-depth level and helps the researcher to explain topics in a diverse and individualistic manner. Delivering qualitative research with the help of critical thinking can open up to a new world of learning for the researcher and the learning community as a whole.
References
Hoepfl, M. C. (1997). Choosing Qualitative Research: A Primer for Technology Education
Researchers. Journal of Technology Education, 9. Retrieved from
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v9n1/hoepfl.html#strauss
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