APPROACHES TO RESEARCH QUAN: NUMERICAL DATA ANALYZED BY STATISTICAL METHODS QUAN: NUMERICAL DATA ANALYZED BY STATISTICAL METHODS QUAL: NONNUMERICAL DATA, NONSTATISTICAL METHOD QUAL: NONNUMERICAL DATA, NONSTATISTICAL METHOD MIX: COMBINATION OF QUAN-QUAN MIX: COMBINATION OF QUAN-QUAN

QUAN: DEFINE VARIABLES IN ADVANCE DEFINE VARIABLES IN ADVANCE ASSIGN LOGICAL VALUES TO THE VARIABLE ASSIGN LOGICAL VALUES TO THE VARIABLE EXPRESS THE VALUES IN NUMBERS EXPRESS THE VALUES IN NUMBERS Regard sample-related variation as a problem to fix by drawing a large sample and rely on the commonalities of the sample Regard sample-related variation as a problem to fix by drawing a large sample and rely on the commonalities of the sample Follow ‘meaning in general’ strategy Follow ‘meaning in general’ strategy Predeterrmined numerical category system Predeterrmined numerical category system

Qual Use coding but verbal, short textual label Use coding but verbal, short textual label Coding is not decided apriori, but left open and flexible Coding is not decided apriori, but left open and flexible Average description will omit individual stories Average description will omit individual stories Real meaning lies with individual cases Real meaning lies with individual cases Believe that there are multiple meanings to discover Believe that there are multiple meanings to discover In depth understanding: meaning in particular In depth understanding: meaning in particular Emergent, flexibel coding Emergent, flexibel coding

Quan Using larger sample Using larger sample Relying on formalized system of statistics Relying on formalized system of statistics Highly regulated way of achieving macro- perspective Highly regulated way of achieving macro- perspective

Qual Focusing on aunique meaning carried out byindividual organism Focusing on aunique meaning carried out byindividual organism Relying on researcher’s individual sensitivity Relying on researcher’s individual sensitivity Flexible and higly context-sensitive Flexible and higly context-sensitive

3 position Purist: quan-qual are mutually exlusive Purist: quan-qual are mutually exlusive Situationalist: use macro and micro level of analysis. Demotivation is for qualitative, language globalization is for quantitative: both approaches have value if they are applied appropriately (either/or) Situationalist: use macro and micro level of analysis. Demotivation is for qualitative, language globalization is for quantitative: both approaches have value if they are applied appropriately (either/or) Pragmatist: integration of quan-qual. Look at the same research qiestion from different angles, using the other approach Pragmatist: integration of quan-qual. Look at the same research qiestion from different angles, using the other approach

Quantitative Using numbers: powerful, but weak without contexts Using numbers: powerful, but weak without contexts Apriori categorization: categories and valued are decided prior to the actual study Apriori categorization: categories and valued are decided prior to the actual study Variable rather than cases Variable rather than cases Statistics and the language of statistics Statistics and the language of statistics Standardized procedures to assess objective reality that is out there independent of researcher’s subjective perception Standardized procedures to assess objective reality that is out there independent of researcher’s subjective perception Quest for generality and universal law: e.g. Quick count Quest for generality and universal law: e.g. Quick count Strengths: systematic, focused, tightly controlled,, realible and replicable data, quick and offer good value for money, high reputation. Strengths: systematic, focused, tightly controlled,, realible and replicable data, quick and offer good value for money, high reputation.

QUALITATIVE Emergent research design Emergent research design Use various types of data; recorded interview, journal, diary entries, document and images Use various types of data; recorded interview, journal, diary entries, document and images Takes place in natural setting Takes place in natural setting Concerned with subjective opinion, experiences Concerned with subjective opinion, experiences Small sample size Small sample size Interpretive analysis Interpretive analysis

Strengths of Qual Exploratory nature Exploratory nature Making sense of complexity Making sense of complexity Answering why questions Answering why questions Broadening our understanding (possible interpretaion) Broadening our understanding (possible interpretaion) Longitudinal observation of dynamic phenomena Longitudinal observation of dynamic phenomena Flexibility when things go wrong Flexibility when things go wrong Rich material for research reports Rich material for research reports

Weakness of Qual Sample size and generalizability Sample size and generalizability Researcher’s role Researcher’s role Lack of methodological rigor Lack of methodological rigor Time consuming Time consuming Too complex or too narrow theories Too complex or too narrow theories Labour intensive Labour intensive