Qualitative research

Introduction

Worldview means a basic set of beliefs that guide action. (Hart, 2010) In this context, worldviews are a general orientation about the world and the nature of research that a researcher holds. However, they are not the sole means by which persons understand reality. While worldview focuses on general orientation among individuals, mindset focuses on individual perception. In as much as the beliefs obtainable through a shared worldview may influence people’s beliefs, it is the mindset that significantly determines how the individuals interpret the worldview. (James,1986) This paper discusses the research method suited for my worldview research, how values and cultures contributes to the way we formulate our worldview, the difference between quantitative and qualitative studies, how my worldview aligns with the different approaches and the criterion for selecting a research design.

What research method is suited for your worldview research?

The research method that suits my worldview research is the mixed method approach. My philosophical worldview seeks an objective reality that exists ’out there’ in the world. I hold a deterministic philosophy based on measurements and careful observations in the determination to make inferences to a general truth. I believe that the evidence established in research is always imperfect and fallible. Both qualitative and quantitative have validity issues.

The key issues in the qualitative and quantitative debate are epistemological and ontological. Each method studies different phenomena, therefore, are inadequate to the task of wholeness since they give an incomplete view. (Lund, 2012) Qualitative research is concerned with the changing nature of reality created through people’s experiences. It is an evolving reality in which all parties are mutually interactive and inseparable. On the other hand, quantitative research perceives truth as something describing an objective reality, waiting to be discovered and separate from the observer. Since these two methods represent two different paradigms, they are inadequate. The mixed-methods research combines both methods in a single study particularly when complementary purposes. The solution to the problems can be found in using the mixed method approach. (Spillman, 2014)

How values and cultures contribute to the way we formulate our worldview

Wherever we go or whatever we do or whatever we take part in, in one way or the other reflect our understanding of and position in culture. We begin thinking about what we do outside of class because it is what we do outside the class that informs our position inside the classroom. In other words, what we already know about life, culture and writing is just as important as what it is we learn about life, culture and writing in class. Certainly, we gain knowledge and information and develop as individuals throughout the process of education but we bring what we know to class, research and writing in very important and interesting ways.

What distinguishes a quantitative study from a qualitative study?

The first element that distinguishes the two research designs is the objective. The quantitative study is a more logical and data-led approach that provides a measure from a statistical and numerical point of view. It involves gathering the type of data that can be easily organized and manipulated for analysis. (Codo, 2014)  Thus, the objective of the quantitative approach is to quantify data or measure the incidence of various opinions or views in order to generalize a result from a chosen sample. Unlike quantitative study, qualitative research focuses more on what people think, how people feel and why they make certain choices. The objective of the qualitative approach is to gain an understanding of underlying reasons or provide insights into the setting or uncover trends in thought and opinions. (Chambers, 1996)

The Second distinguishing factor is the sample size. Quantitative research requires a large number of randomly selected respondents while qualitative approach necessitates a small number of non-representative cases. Thirdly, data collection in the Quantitative study involves structured techniques such as questionnaires while qualitative design involves unstructured or semi-structured techniques such as in-depth interviews. (Chambers, 1996)The fourth distinguishing factor is the data analysis. The Quantitative approach uses statistical data in the form of tabulations while qualitative design uses non-statistical data. (Codo, 2014)  Additionally, the findings of a Quantitative research study are conclusive and descriptive in nature while the outcome in a qualitative research study is exploratory or investigative in nature. Thus, the findings of a Quantitative study can be used to recommend a final course of action while those of a qualitative study develop an initial understanding and a base for further decision making. (Chambers, 1996)

How your worldview aligns with qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches?

Considering the worldview as something that the members of a culture or subculture can all share, the mindset is the set of personal experiences through which individual worldwide views is filtered. (Koltko, 2004) As such, my worldviews have been shaped by the beliefs of advisers and faculty in my area, the discipline area, and past research experiences. My individual beliefs have led to embracing a quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods approach in my research.

What is the best criterion for selecting a research design?

There are various considerations that a researcher evaluates when deciding on the plans and the procedures for research. The decision spans from detailed methods of data collection and analysis to broad assumptions. Informing the decision should be the procedures of inquiry or strategies, worldview assumptions the researcher brings to the study and specific methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The decision is also based on the nature of the research problem, the audiences for the study, the researchers’ personal experiences, budget, and time. (Sanders& Stappers, 2008)

References

Chambers, L. W. (1996). Qualitative and quantitative research methods. Canadian journal of public health Sante Publique, 88(1), 9-10.

Codó Olsina, E. (2014). Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods.

Hart, M. A. (2010). Indigenous worldviews and research: The development of an indigenous research paradigm.

James Clifford (1986) Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography University of California Press

Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2004). The Psychology of Worldviews. Review of General Psychology, 8(1), 3.

Lund, T. (2012). Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches: Some Arguments for Mixed Methods Research. Scandinavian Journal Of Educational Research, 56(2), 155-165.

Sanders, E. B. N., & Stappers, P. J. (2008). Co-creation and the new landscapes of design. Co-design, 4(1), 5-18.

Spillman, L. (2014). Mixed Methods and the Logic of Qualitative Inference. Qualitative Sociology, 37(2), 189-205.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in nursing essay writing service services. If you need a similar paper you can place your order from research paper services.