WHAT FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY RESEARCHERS WHEN DEFINING THE DATA REQUIRED FOR THEIR RESEARCH?

What factors should be considered by researchers when defining the data required for their research?

What factors should be considered by researchers when defining the data required for their research?

Question No. 1: What factors should be considered by researchers when defining the data required for their research?

When undertaking Social research there are two most commonly used methods: quantitative and qualitative; There is often a great divide between the users of qualitative and quantitative methods of research. Put simply, quantitative research uses mathematical principals and it is statistical, therefore it is often viewed as more reliable and valid. On the other hand there is qualitative research which is based on interviewing and finding out the "why" of a particular situation. Qualitative research is interpretative rather than descriptive, is non-numerical and is known for it's credibility and auditability.

A balanced assessment of the two forms of research requires a knowledge of the history behind the two forms of research, an in depth look at what they are and what they both entail as social research and to discover the different methods that can be used within qualitative and quantitative research. We also need to find out the strengths and weaknesses of both qualitative and quantitative data so fair judgement can be made to discover if there is a correct way to undertake social research.

Quantitative research on the other hand features a high level of reliability, it can be used to gather large amounts of information, and it's findings can be tested through the use of statistics.

It is known that: "Quantitative research is different in that the aim is to answer a specific research question by showing statistical evidence under a strict set of guidelines"(Redmond, Keenan, Landorf 2000:7)

Quantitative research can be used when gathering large and vast amounts of research. It can be presented by using statistics in the form of graphs, tables and percentages. Quantitative research is evaluative, and is based on facts and figures, and the usage of measurements and numbers. The statistical weight of quantitative data is often seen as powerful.

Quantitative research theories are usually formulated from an inductive/qualitative process. There is also a hypothesis formed which is the basis for the research. The hypothesis formed is the basis for the research, this is then tested under controlled conditions, then as theory builds, verification through research builds. "In theory if not in practice, the quantitative researcher isolates and defined variables and variable categories. These variables are linked together to form a hypothesis often before the data are collected, and are then tested upon the data" (Brannen 1992:4).The hypothesis in qualitative research is also used to: Test one variable against another, explore the relationship between two or more variables, investigate a large group of people to determine specific facts and to investigate a large group of people who meet certain criteria. (Baily 1997)

Results from quantitative research are often generalised to fit the whole population or at least a target section ...