Research Notes

Qualitative Research#

The design for the intended study is qualitative research. Qualitative studies seek to gain an
in-depth comprehension and explanation of a person’s attitudes, actions and
behaviour that occur as a result of the implication or effect from an experience or
encounter (du Plooy-Cilliers Davis and Bezuidenhout, 2021). Qualitative researchers
are curious about gaining in-depth insights on an individual’s perceptions and
experiences (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). Researchers are also curious about the
individual’s views and opinions that result from the individual’s experiences during a
particular situation (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). Quantitative studies do not
transform the findings into statistics as well as detach sections of the encounter from
the entire parts (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). Qualitative research explores an
individual’s behaviour in order to understand the experiences and interpretations
related to the situation (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). Data can be collected via
indepth interviews as this allows the researcher to acquire a thorough
comprehension of the findings based on the experiences when the research
analyses the findings and presents the results (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Subjective and bias data is collected as qualitative designs are subjective in nature
(du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The design provides an indepth look and
understanding pertaining to why individuals behave in a specific manner and
explores their emotions and feelings about link to scenario (du Plooy-Cilliers et al.,
2021). The findings are not generalised (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Advantages of qualitative research design
Qualitative research uses smaller sample sizes as opposed to quantitative research,
therefore the research design is cost effective and the research can collect data
quicker (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
The research design allows the researcher to explore and understand different
perspectives and experiences, therefore the researcher is able to gain a
comprehensive comprehension of the phenomena (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
The deisgn evokes a sense of open communication and honesty between the
individuals in the study and the researcher (Daniel, 2016). This leads to more
interaction and engagement , hence the participants feel at ease and are willing to
share about their experiences and feelings (Daniel, 2016).
It is exploratory in nature and as a result, the researcher can explore new ideas,
perspectives and concepts, therefore the researcher can generate new information
via the discovery of the latest views and findings that allows the researcher to preset
new content (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
The researcher is able to collect findings about the participants’ experiences, feelings
and perceptions(du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). This creates avenues for the
researcher to gather data that uncovers more about the participants’ experiences (du
Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Disadvantages of qualitative research design
It is very subjective and this can result in the researcher being biased (Daniel, 2016).
Qualitative research is subjective in nature, therefore the reseacher’s personal
beliefs and views can have an impact on the analysis and collection of data (Daniel,
2016).
The findings are not represented statistically and numerically and this makes it hard
for the researcher to simplify the observations (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The
findings are specific to the researcher (Daniel, 2016). This entails that another
researcher cannot repeat and obtain the same findings from the research study at a
different place and receive the exact same results (Daniel, 2016).
It is very time consuming as the researcher has to look for participants for the study
that would be willing to take part in the study (Daniel, 2016). It requires a lot of time
to gather and analyse the data.
It is difficult for other reseachers to replicate and repeat the findings of the data
(Daniel, 2016). Various researchers may interpret and analyse the data differently
(Daniel, 2016). It may be difficult to repeat as the participants are unique and have
been specifically chosen for the particular context of the study. This highlights that
there is no objectivity.
It often relies on convenience and purposive sampling and this can open the door to
biasness from the researcher (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Generalising for qualitative study
A non-probability sampling method will be used since the results of the study does
not have to be generalised to a bigger population or context as generalisation is not
the main goal for qualitative research designs (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).With
regards to qualitative research designs, the researcher will be gathering data that is
subjective in nature, regardless of the data collection method the researcher
chooses to use (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The findings from non-probability
sampling is not seen as the most reliable in the same manner of the findings of
probability sampling (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The main aim of qualitative
research is not to highlight the correlation, but to explore the perceptions in order to
obtain personal insights (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The researcher cannot prove
that the findings would be true to a bigger population as everyone’s views are
different and are context specific (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The researcher
gains an understanding about the particular study, hence the findings cannot be
applied to a bigger polulation and context (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). Qualitative
research designs involves a smaller sample size and the focus is on gaining detailed
insights as opposed to numerical and statistical data (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Generalising for quantitative study
Quantitative research designs have a bigger sample size and as a result, huge
amounts of data can be gathered and collected from the big population and sample
sze (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021) This entails that the researcher has a lot more
data to analyse. The findings from the research design can be proven in a factual
manner and are supported by facts (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). This adds to the
reliability as the findings can be proven to be true or proven not to be true (du Plooy-
Cilliers et al., 2021). The main goal of quantitative research is to make correlations,
predictions and conclusions from the sample size to the larger population. The
researchers make the predictions and draw the conclusions when the researcher is
analysing the data (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). This entails that the researchers
ensure that the sample represents and links with the target population, therefore,
they are able to make correlations, predictions and conclusions as the findings can
be applied to the larger population. The use of statistical and numerical values allows
the researcher to look for patterns and conclude the likelihood of the findings to
happen (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). This allows the researcher to make
predictions and avoid subjectivity and biasness (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Quantitative research design
The research design makes use of numerical and statistical values (du Plooy-Cilliers
et al., 2021). It is objective in nature (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). Quantitative
research designs concentrates on data that is quantifiable and unchanging (du
Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The researcher seeks to explain the impact or effect of
link to scenario. The researcher in interested in determining whether there is a link
or correlation is formed between the variables in the study (du Plooy-Cilliers et al.,
2021). Once the findings have been analysed, the researcher will draw conclusions
and make correlations (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Advantages of Quantitative research design
The researcher adopts an objective outlook (Daniel, 2016). This entails that there is
no room for subjectivity and biasness as the findings are supported by facts. The
researcher makes use of measurement tools (Daniel, 2016). This enhances the
reliability and ability to replicate the results as other researchers can test the findings
to determine if the findings and results are valid and reliable (Daniel, 2016).
Generalisation
It makes use of a larger sample size (Daniel, 2016). This allows the researcher to
determine whether the correlation is true and can be proven.
It makes use of measurement tools. Therefore the researchers can gather factual
and measurable data (Daniel, 2016).
Qualitative sampling
The research design approach is qualitative, therefore, non-probability sampling will
be used given the fact that non-numerical and non-statistical data will be collected
(du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). A non-probability sampling method will be used since
the results of the study does not have to be generalised (du Plooy-Cilliers et al.,
2021). This method ensures that the researcher will develop a deep understanding
of the topic (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). This entails that a non-probability
sampling method will allow the researcher to explore link to scenario as subjective
data will be collected and analysed. The sample size will be chosen from the
accessible population (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Quantitative sampling
Probability sampling will be used in quantitative studies as statistical and numerical
data will be collected and gathered (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The findings of the
data will be generalised to the bigger population (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Examples of probability sampling is simple random and systematic sampling (du
Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The main aim is to determine whether there is a
correlation and relationship between the variables an as a result, objective data will
be collected and analysed.
Nature of qualitative data that will be collected
Qualitative data will be collected and gathered via the use of an appropriate data
collection method that suits the study and design (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Qualitative data collects data that is subjective in nature and the data is associated
with the perceptions or experiences of the study’s participants (du Plooy-Cilliers et
al., 2021). The participants will voice their experiences and perceptions, therefore
oral data can be collected (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). Raw information in the form
of written and oral responses during the interviews or focus groups will be collected
(du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The researcher may record the oral responses and
will change the recording to a format that can analyse data (du Plooy-Cilliers et al.,
2021). The researcher will type out the findings and will use direct quotes to indicate
personal experiences and views (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Reliability, Validity and Trustworthiness
Quantitative research uses reliability and validity (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Researchers make use of approaches and methods that allows for the data to be
measurable and represented in the form of numerals and statistics (du Plooy-Cilliers
et al., 2021). Quantitative research looks for correlations and for the effects (du
Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). Quantitative allows researchers to assess and re-assess
the findings to determine whether the exact cause results in the exact effect (du
Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). An experiment can be repeated and the same results are
given each time the experiment in repeated, hence the findings are reliable (du
Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Reliability
Reliability is associated with the findings of the study (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Reliability is determined if similar results and findings are generated if other
researchers perform the study again (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). This entails that
it is imperative that consistency is evident throughout when the study is repeated
again as the researcher should acqure the same results. Generalisation is
associated with reliability as the goal of quantitative studies is to discover universal
findings that can be used in all situations (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Validity
Validity refers to if the quantifiable research that is measured is what it aims to
quantify (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The instrument that was chosen can be seen
once the instrument has been used (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). It determines if it
actually measures that it aims to measure (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). It
determines how good a research approach or method measures what it intended to
or promises to (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). It determines if the approach
adequately reflects what the researcher seeks to explain (du Plooy-Cilliers et al.,
2021).
Trustworthiness
Qualitative research uses trustworthiness which is comprised of credibility,
dependability, conformability and transferability (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The
main goal of qualitative research is not to generalise the findings, hence validity and
reliability are terms that are not associated with qualitative research (du Plooy-
Cilliers et al., 2021).
Qualitative research does not employ numerical and statistical data (du Plooy-Cilliers
et al., 2021). The main goal of qualitative research is to develop an indepth
understanding of a specific phenomena pertaining to a particular context (du Plooy-
Cilliers et al., 2021). The research design does not seek to generalise (du Plooy-
Cilliers et al., 2021). It is difficult to retest a qualitative study to obtain the exact
results as participants inputs and insights are subjective and exclusive to the
participants’ perspectives (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Credibility- it is whether the researcher correctly understood and clarified the data
generated by the participants (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The more time the
researcher allocates to collecting data from the participants, the more credible the
findings will be as the researcher has spent ample time gaining an indepth
understanding (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). This limits the occurance of
misinterpreting the participants perspectives (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). It is
imperative that the researcher utilises triangulation whereby more than one data
collection method is used to gather data (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
Transferability- The results can be used and applied in another context of a similar
nature and almost indentical results are generated (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).
The findings and evaluation can be used past a particular research study (du Plooy-
Cilliers et al., 2021).
Dependability- The process of combination and incorporation that occurs between
the collection method to collect data, method used to analyse the findings of the data
and the theory developed by the data (du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). This highlights
consistency of data and the findings over a period of time (du Plooy-Cilliers et al.,
2021).
Confirmability- The degree to which the data that was gathered contributes and
assists the researcher’s results, findings, discoveries and understanding of the study
(du Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021). The researcher shows transparency and ensures that
the findings are solely based on the participant’s perspectives and experiences (du
Plooy-Cilliers et al., 2021).