Research Methodology: Systematic Approaches to Quantitative and Qualitative Research Design
Overview
This methodology chapter establishes foundational concepts for research design, defining research methodology as a systematic approach to addressing research gaps. The paper distinguishes between quantitative research methods using statistical analysis and qualitative research methods using descriptive analysis, while exploring the philosophical underpinnings of ontology and epistemology in research frameworks.
What this dissertation covers
- Definition and importance of research methodology as a systematic scientific approach
- Quantitative research: numerical data collection and statistical analysis methods
- Qualitative research: descriptive analysis of human experiences and real-life situations
- Ontology and epistemology: philosophical foundations for understanding knowledge and reality in research
Preview
Research Concepts
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Kothari (2004) describes a research methodology as a systematic approach of explaining a research question or gap. It is a discipline of understanding how to undertake a research scientifically. In a research methodology, the researcher studies the key steps that need to be adopted while analyzing the research question of problem supported by the necessary logic. Also, the scientist needs to comprehend the assumptions for the variety research procedures employed in filling the research gap (Kothari, 2004, p.7).
Apuke (2017) defines quantitative research as a study that quantifies and analyzes variable to derive outcomes. It entails the employment and examination of mathematical figures using statistical tools to providers answers to problems like how much, where, who, what, how many, how, and when. Expounding on Aliaga and Gunderson (2002), Apuke described quantitative research as a study that examines a phenomenon through data collection in numerical form and making an analysis using statistical methods (Apuke, 2017, p.40).
Cropley (2015) describes qualitative research as a study that examines how people make sense of their concrete, real-life situations using words as well as in their minds. Qualitative research is expressed using standard concepts and in everyday language. A qualitative study is concerned with forms as well as patterns of study variable and uses descriptive methods to explain the concepts rather than mathematical approaches (Cropley, 2015, p.5).