Question

Discuss characteristics used to appraise when evaluating qualitative and quantitative designs. Which characteristics are the most important and why?

Answer 1

Characterstics used to appraise evaluating quantitative and qualitative designs.

* Type of approach.

       * In quantitative research uses a objective approach to collect information

         in a numerical form.

       * In qualitative research uses a subjective approach to collect in depth data

          in a narrative form.

   * Nature of research problem.

         * If the research problem is need to describe in a numerical form researcher

            select quantitative research design.

          * If the research problem is need to be described in a descriptive form researcher

             select qualitative research design.

* Variables.

    * In quantitative study variables are defind in advance and clearly understood by

       a researcher.

* In qualitative study researchers have rough idea about the variables in advance.

   * Objectives.

        * In quantitiative research focus to identify variables to test or refine hypothesis and

         theories.

        * In qualitative research complete detailed description of variables used to develop

           theories and hypothesis.

   * Research design.

        * Quantitative research include experimental,quasi experimental and non experimental

            designs.

        * Qualitative research include phenomenology,grounded theory,ethnography,case study

           and historical research.

   * Samples and tools.

          * In quantitative study use a large representive sample to to generalize research findings.

             and structured and semistructured tools used to collect data.

          * In qualitative study use small sample size and less formally structured tools to collect

             data.

     * Analysis.

         * In quantitative study analysis of numerical data through descriptive statistics.

         * In qualitative study analysis of descriptive data through narrations,diagrams

            descriptive coding,indexing etc.

* All of the above characterstics used when evaluating quantitative and qualitative research

   nature of research problem is more important.

* Because based on the research problem researcher plan about selection of an appropriate

design for the research study.