Quantitative research is different from
qualitative research. Quantitative research uses experimental methods and
quantitative measures to test hypothetical generalizations. It also seeks
causal determination, prediction, and generalization of findings (Hoepfl, 1997).
According to Marie Hoepfl, qualitative research uses a naturalistic approach
that seeks to understand phenomena in context-specific settings (Hoepfl, 1997).
It’s basically a method of research in which results are gathered by other
non-statistical process or quantification means. Qualitative research is mainly
used to: better understand any phenomenon in which little information is known,
gain new perspectives of already known information, and to gain more in-depth
information about those difficult contexts (Hoepfl, 1997). This method looks at
the important variables of the issue in their respective natural settings. Since
qualitative research is about exploring problems, questions, and issues through
open-ended questions, the researcher must provide direct quotations of the new
discovered information.
A qualitative method involves the analysis of
data through interviews, pictures, videos, or artifacts. Such information can
be gathered through focus groups, in-depth interviews with the samples, the
analysis of unstructured data, audio recordings, and even through the use of
the Internet. According to Hoepfl’s findings, the following are some of the
descriptions qualitative research has:
·
The
researcher must observe, describe, and interpret the natural setting of the
source data.
·
Use a
human as a data collection instrument. Humans are capable of: responding to
environmental cues, interacting with the situation, collecting multiple sources
of data simultaneously; processing data, and more
·
Use
inductive data analysis
·
The
research must be written in a descriptive and expressive language
·
The
research must have an interpretive character, discover the meaning of events to
the individuals who experience it, and the interpretations of those meanings by
the researcher
·
Researchers
must pay attention and seek the uniqueness of the case
·
The
research must have an emergent design, and the researchers must focus on the
emerging process as well as the outcome of the research
·
The
qualitative research must be judged through the special criteria of
trustworthiness
Hoepfl, M. (1997). Choosing Qualitative
Research: A Primer for Technology Education Researchers. DLA History - About
the Scholarly Communications Project and the Digital Library and Archives,
University Libraries, Virginia Tech. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v9n1/hoepfl.html
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