Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research Essay -- Research Analysis

In this paper, the author will delineate the characteristics between qualitative and quantitative research, as well as their methodologies. The purpose of this paper is to give the reader a brief glimpse behind each research approach, by determining the strengths and weaknesses of both. The terms â€Å"subjective† and â€Å"objective† will be viewed in accordance with each research paradigm by considering the role of the observer and addressing how the researcher conducts his or her analysis using these approaches. The author will also describe the preferred approach given to each modality and how each model can be utilized in a study of aggression. Qualitative and Quantitative are two differentiated paradigms of research, which operate under the assumption that measured outcomes, must be proven valid and reliable. However, the distinguishing element between each paradigm resolves to the role of the researcher. Although they can be explicated by the source of the data collected, qualitative being a semantic text and quantitative being in numerical form, in the qualitative paradigm, the role of the researcher is to be an active participant within the study, lending the subjectivity of interpretation to the final measured outcome (Denzien & Lincoln, 2000). However, the quantitative approach finds the role of the researcher as an outside, objective observer, where the possibility for researcher bias is reduced, and the final measured outcome is not subject to researcher interpretations (Patton, 1996). Qualitative Research Qualitative research is a multi-dimensional method that utilizes an imperative and naturalistic approach. This design is associated with a phenomenological paradigm and is used by observing human behavior in... ...ht eliminate the need for research participation by sending out surveys in the mail randomly. The qualitative methodology might use an example a focus group. Where the researcher is an active participant in asking open-ended questions, specifically to engage the participants and prompt interpretive answers reflective of emotionality. When considering the manipulation of variables to alter conditions that are observable and measurable, quantitative analysis could include the manipulation of environmental factors, such as room temperature, lighting, etc, where the researcher is an outside, unattached observer. The qualitative paradigm would insist that the researcher be a participant of the factors of manipulation by using interruptive techniques, verbal commands, etc, and determine the measurable effects on the outcome through personal interpretation of data.