Do you know when to use methods?

Research Methods are divided into qualitative and quantitative approaches and all methods can be applied to all research objectives.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Not all methods can be applied to all research objectives. Qualitative studies aim to provide rich, deep, contextual data to help us understand a phenomenon. Quantitative studies aim to classify features, count them and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is going on. Findings from quantitative studies are often generalisable to the broader population while findings from qualitative studies are not generalisable

With qualitative research the aim is:

• To classify features, count them, and construct statistical models to explain what is observed

• A complete contextual description of a phenomenon

• To seek precise measurement and analysis of target concepts

Answer explanation

the aim of qualitative research is a complete contextual description of a phenomenon whereas the aim of quantitative research is to classify features, count them, and construct statistical models to explain what is observed and the aim of quantitative research is to seek precise measurement and analysis of target concepts.

When employing quantitative methods, which of the following is true?

• The study design emerges as the study unfolds

• Data is in the form of words, pictures or objects

• All aspects of the study are carefully designed before the data is collected

Answer explanation

all aspects of the study are carefully designed before the data is collected when employing quantitative methods. In qualitative research the study design emerges as the study unfolds and data is in the form of words, pictures or objects.

Which of the following data collection instruments would be used in quantitative research?

• Surveys

• Observations

• Focus Groups

Answer explanation

surveys is the data collection instrument that is used in quantitative research. Observations and focus groups are used in qualitative data collection

Which of the following methods are used to analyse qualitative data?

• Template Analysis

• Domain Analysis

• Discourse Analysis

• All of the above