HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE/EARLY YEARS

Health and Social Care/Early Years

Health and Social Care/Early Years

Introduction

Research is important for the successful protection and promotion of the well-being, health as well as for effective and modern services of social and health of the individuals. Along with this, research studies may also cover the aspect of risk with respect to the safety of research participants and return of investment. Therefore, the adequate governance is necessary for the assurance of quality factor along with the benefits and confidence of public on the relevant research concerning the social and health care. All the individuals possess the right to expect robust monitoring arrangements, clear allocation of obligations, detailed processes to make decisions, financial, ethical and high scientific standards (Davies, 2005, pp. 2).

Difference between Quantitative and Qualitative Studies

There are two approaches of research studies; qualitative research approach and quantitative research approach. Analysts employ these two approaches depending on the purpose and conditions of the research. The purpose of qualitative study is to comprehend and interpret social relations, and the purpose of the qualitative research is to make predictions following the observation of effects and causes and to test the hypothesis. The variables in quantitative study are specific. On the other hand, there are no variables in qualitative studies to focus, the whole scenario is important instead of variables. In qualitative study, the groups are smaller which are recruited randomly and data collection procedures include reflections, field notes, observation of participants, interviews, and open ended responses. The nature of data encompasses objects, images, and words.

In case of quantitative study, the group size is larger and is usually selected randomly in comparison of qualitative study. The data collection methods involve the instruments assisting in compiling the validated data. These instruments are helpful in measuring the data in precise way. The nature of data is statistical and numeric. The statistical relationships are employed in analysis of data as well as in generating the results (Johnson & Christensen, 2008, pp. 34).

The qualitative study is beneficial in examining the issue in depth and details. Moreover, the data obtained in qualitative study is powerful and more compelling in comparison of data collected in quantitative study. However, qualitative approach largely depends on the expertise of the individuals and possesses the chances of personal idiosyncrasies and biases. It is the time consuming due to the large volume of data to analyze.

The advantage of quantitative study is that it is helpful in analyzing and studying the people in large numbers. It takes less time for the analysis of data via employing the software for statistical calculations. Furthermore, the results of the study do not depend on the research conductors. However, the information generated in the quantitative study might be too reduced and common for the application to the particular individuals, contexts and local situations. In some cases, the research conductor may overlook the process emerging due to the concentration on the hypothesis testing or theory instead in comparison generation of hypothesis or theory (Razafsha et al, ...