Research in Social Sciences: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Research in social sciences mostly depends on measurements and examination and interpretation of numerical as perfectly as non numerical facts. Quantitative analysis techniques aim on statistical approaches and qualitative techniques are centered on content examination, comparative examination, grounded concept, and interpretation (Strauss, 1990). Quantitative approaches emphasise on objective measurements and numerical examination of facts collected as a result of polls, questionnaires or surveys and qualitative analysis focuses on understanding social phenomena by means of interviews, private remarks etc. Quantitative and qualitative approaches are researched inside of the context of positivistic and phenomenological paradigms (Papers4you.com, 2006).

The purposes of exploration techniques could be studied in the context of business and administration or in social psychology to understand a social process. Some of the standard tools for qualitative or quantitative exploration are associated to knowledge collection methods which can be case experiments, questionnaires or interviews (Simon et al, 1985). Research techniques in administration target on leadership scientific tests and management issues are examined in accordance with contingency concept and organisational principle. The outcomes of leadership are very best analyzed with the assistance of qualitative or quantitative exploration procedures and analyses of questionnaires despatched to individuals in management positions.

Exploration solutions are even so focused not just on administration difficulties but also on social method for instance a study on the interaction between age, physical workout and gender. Some negatives and possible flaws of this kind of procedures may be associated to abuse or misuse of job interview techniques, inadequacy of info assortment techniques and trustworthiness of data. The methodological strategy and data collection strategies are essential in investigation and form an essential factor of analyze (Simon, 1985). The situation research solution is primarily helpful in analysis of organization environments and perceptual mapping methods are utilised for advertising and marketing research. Emphasis groups and surveys are utilised as other chosen strategies of details collection, specifically in small business environments (Papers4you.com, 2006).

Interpretive investigate can be thought of as an vital aspect of qualitative examination, even though as with all qualitative data, subjective bias can be a deterrent in the validity of these kinds of methods. In finding out investigation techniques, it would be needed to emphasize the variations in between qualitative and quantitative approaches though it has also been argued that an built-in approach to social evaluation could shut in the gap among quantitative and qualitative approaches and each these procedures could be utilized for social investigation research. In reality there might not be a specified accurate process of research as every single approach appears to have its strengths and weaknesses and these things need to be examined cautiously prior to a certain technique is chosen or applied for studying a social system.

Bibliography

Champion, Dean J. (1981) Fundamental data for social investigation / Dean J. Winner. 2nd ed. New York : Macmillan London : Collier Macmillan

Papers For You (2006) “P/B/685. Qualitative study procedures”, Offered from http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/sprtdis18.htm [22/06/2006]

Papers For You (2006) “C/B/397. Critically assess and evaluate the strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative study solutions. Use concrete examples to assistance your arguments”, Available from Papers4you.com [21/06/2006]

Strauss, Anselm L. (1990) Fundamental principles of qualitative analysis: grounded theory strategies and tactics / Anselm Strauss and Juliet Corbin. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications,

Simon, Julian Lincoln. (1985) Fundamental investigation methods in social science / Julian Simon, Paul Burstein 3rd ed. McGraw-Hill,