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Running Head: RESEARCH METHODS COMPARISONS.

Research Methods Comparisons.

Name

Institution
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RESEARCH METHODS COMPARISONS
Introduction

The process of research takes place in four main stages that starting with making a

testable hypothesis, a statement that shows a relationship between valuables in question. The

next step involves deciding on how to test the hypotheses followed by data collection, analysis

and interpretation of the results to make conclusions on different topics (Bridgepoint Education,

2016). Research also helps in describing behavior emotions, and a phenomenon. Quantitative

and qualitative research are the main approaches used in research and shows some similarities

and differences in their nature which will be covered in this article.

Differences and Similarities between Quantitative and Qualitative research

Approaches

Qualitative research provides an understanding of why people feel or think among other

human and social factors (McCusker & Gunaydin, 2015). It relies on written or verbal narrative

to explore ideas and processes. On the other hand, quantitative research is a method that involves

generation of facts and numerical data by the use of mathematical and statistical techniques.

Qualitative research is exploratory while quantitative methods are result based and rely on

scientific and mathematical procedures to produce results in the form of data and facts

(Bridgepoint Education, 2016).

Sourcing for quantitative data is done through surveys issued to a large number of people,

making observations and by use of secondary data sources. For qualitative research, sources of

data include interviews, focus group discussions, use of postcards and secondary data. The other

difference is that qualitative research is essential when used in research that involves a process
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while quantitative research is useful when finding out the relationship between variables (cause-

effect relationship)

The similarity between the two types of research lies in the fact that they both require raw

data about the topic in question. The data could be sourced from willing participants or other

reliable sources. Both methods can be used together with one method as the foundation of the

other. For instance, qualitative research can be used as the base for the completion of quantitative

research. The other similarity is that both types help in measuring the results of data. For

example, in the case of feelings and emotions, qualitative research expresses its data in words or

actions like a feeling of sadness or happiness and quantitative methods use logical methods to

find out the number of participants representing a given feeling or emotion. Lastly, both research

methods require to analyze the collected data. In this case, every response information has to be

grouped and counted individually, and the results used to make comparisons and draw

conclusions.

Experimental and non-experimental Research

Experimental research is a study that is aimed at finding out the cause-effect relationship

between independent and dependent variables. For instance, an experiment involving the

comparison in behavior between a control group and an experimental group receiving a certain

kind of medication or treatment is experimental research. In this case, one group is manipulated,

and the results help in determining evidence for a cause-effect (Bridgepoint Education, 2016).

For this reason, experimental researches are preferred in medicine. An example of an

experimental question would be; Does butter consumption improve vision?

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On the other hand, non-experimental research is a type of study where the researcher

does not manipulate the variables or alter the research subjects. Research is done by interaction

or observation of the subjects to make conclusions. In this case, the researcher relies on case

studies and surveys or correlations of a sample group to represent a larger population.

The difference is that in experimental research, the researcher has more control over the

environment. This helps the subjects to undergo through the same experience and eliminate other

influences on the variables. The other difference is that the independent variable has to be

manipulated in experimental research to find the cause-effect while non-experimental research

requires the researchers to observe or interact with the variables and make interpretations. The

other difference which is a disadvantage is that non-experimental research can examine and

study processes that experimental research cannot while experimental designs can only study

variables that can be manipulated.

Comparison and Contrast between Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Characteristics

Contrast

Qualitative research is subjective and can capture a person’s point of view by using an

interview while quantitative research is objective in its approach. The other difference is that

qualitative research uses verbal data, words, pictures, and objects while quantitative research

uses measurable numeric data (Newman & Hitchcock, 2011). The other notable difference in

qualitative research is that the sample size required in qualitative analysis is smaller than that

needed in quantitative analysis but enough to make valid conclusions. The other difference in

sampling characteristic is that qualitative data use purposive sampling method while quantitative
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research uses random sampling method. Lastly, methods of data collection in qualitative research

are non-structured such as the use of group discussions and interviews while quantitative

research uses structured techniques such as questionnaires and surveys.

Comparison

In comparison, both research approaches have similar data sources that can be used such

as the use of secondary data and observations. Additionally, data analysis in both research

methods is done using software that helps in grouping and making comparisons and

relationships. Both methods have a hypothesis that is either generated or tested depending on the

research method used (Bridgepoint Education, 2016). In both qualitative and quantitative

research, raw data is needed for analysis and is in turn used to make conclusions.

Experimental Research

This type of research involves the manipulation of independent variables to establish the

cause-effect in a dependent variable (Bless & Burger, 2016).

Characteristics

One of the characteristics of the experimental research approach is that the researcher

controls or manipulates an independent variable (Bridgepoint Education, 2016). The independent

variable controls the environment causing an effect on the dependent variable. The other

characteristic is that experimental research uses a random sampling approach. Experimental

research also enables the researcher to go beyond prediction and attempt to get facts on what
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causes a given effect on the variable (Bless & Burger, 2016). The research method may also have

confounding and extraneous variables that compete with the independent variables.

Data Collection and Analysis methods

Data in experimental research can be both qualitative or quantitative. Collection of such

data is done by observation where the researcher watches and wait for the effect caused by the

controlled variable (Bridgepoint Education, 2016). Quantitative observation involves watching

and recording of the observations using mathematical methods where the researcher collects

numbers such as how many ice cubes melted under a given temperature. On the other hand,

qualitative methods involve observation and recording of the change in structure, shape, and size

such as the ice changed from solid to liquid or reduced in size. Analysis of experimental research

data can be done using several tools depending on the research design used. This includes the use

of the T-test, F-test (variance analysis), regression among other methods.

Research Designs in experimental research

Experimental research applies three research designs. The research design depends on

how the researcher groups the variables under the conditions given. For instance, the pre-

experimental design is used when various variables are observed under factors considered to

have a course effect. True experimental research designs are considered to be more accurate as it

involves conducting an experiment with a variable that can be manipulated, a control group and

experimental group (Bless & Burger, 2016). The design also involves the random distribution of

the participants. Lastly, the quasi-experiment design is similar to the true experimental design

only that in this case, the participants are not assigned randomly.
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Sample research topic.

Question: How does the amount of alcohol affect the vision on the road?

In the research question above, the variable that causes a change to the other variable is

the independent variable (alcohol). The affected variable is the dependent variable (vision). The

independent variable is the one that is manipulated by the researcher while the dependent

variable is the one being measured in the experiment.

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References

Bless, H., & Burger, A. M. (2016). A Closer Look at Social Psychologists’ Silver Bullet:

Inevitable and Evitable Side Effects of the Experimental Approach. Perspectives on

Psychological Science, 11(2), 296–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691615621278

Bridgepoint Education, (2016). Design, Measurement, and Testing Hypotheses.

Bridgepoint Education, (2016). Experimental Designs—Explaining Behavior.

Bridgepoint Education, (2016). Psychology as a Science.

McCusker, K & Gunaydin, S. (2015). Research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods

and choice based on the research. 30(7) 537–542. Retrieved from https://journals-

sagepub-com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/0267659114559116

Newman, I., & Hitchcock, J. H. (2011). Underlying Agreements Between Quantitative and

Qualitative Research: The Short and Tall of It All. Human Resource Development

Review, 10(4), 381–398. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484311413867