SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES First Semester, AY 2021-2022 EDUC 201: ADVANCED METHODS IN RESEARCH COMPREHENSIVE REPORT Quantitative/Qualitative Research Methodology By: Roen Shane P. Ramonal REPORT Quantitative research statistically measures attitudes, behavior, and performance and provides results in percentages that are easier to interpret. Quantitative research will often yield data that are projectable to a larger population. Quantitative research can effectively translate data into easily quantifiable charts and graphs. The quantitative paradigm is based on positivism. The quantitative paradigm has only one truth, an objective reality that exists independent of human perception. Quantitative research consists of those studies in which the data concerned can be analyzed in terms of numbers. Quantitative research is based more directly on its original plans and its results are more readily analyzed and interpreted. Quantitative research is concerned with the collection and analysis of data in numeric form. SCRIPT The various benefits of quantitative research are characterized by numerical strength. Quantitative research is a numbers-based research discipline that statistically examines attitudes, behavior, and performance and offers data in percentages that are easier to grasp. Quantitative research, which employs a battery of tests and methodologies, frequently produces data that can be extrapolated to a broader population. Because quantitative research is so strongly entrenched in numbers and statistics, it can efficiently translate data into easily quantifiable charts and graphs. The quantitative paradigm is positivist in nature. The empirical study distinguishes science; all phenomena may be reduced to empirical indicators that represent the truth. The quantitative paradigm's ontological perspective is that there is only one truth, an objective reality that exists independently of human perception. In terms of epistemology, the investigator and the investigated are distinct entities. As a result, the investigator can investigate a phenomenon without influencing or being impacted by it; "inquiry occurs as though a one-way mirror" (Guba and Lincoln, 1994: 110). Quantitative research is defined as investigations in which the data may be analyzed numerically. Quantitative research is more directly based on its original plans, and its outcomes are easier to analyze and explain. Quantitative research, as the name implies, is focused on the collecting and analysis of numerical data. It tends to emphasize relatively large scale and representative sets of data and is frequently presented or interpreted as being about acquiring 'facts,' in our opinion. SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES Quantitative research does have its limitations. Quantitative research, under its short (usually 20 minute) interviews and rigid structure, is not the most flexible method of research and, when handled improperly, is especially vulnerable to statistical error. The misuse of sampling and weighting can completely undermine the accuracy, validity, and projectability of a quantitative research study. Quantitative research, on the other hand, has limitations. Significant samples are necessary, and the logistical challenges of acquiring a sufficiently large sample can destroy the study before it even begins. Larger samples are likewise more expensive. Because of its brief (typically 20-minute) interviews and rigid format, quantitative research is not the most adaptable method of study and, when done incorrectly, is especially sensitive to statistical mistakes. Misuse of sampling and weighting can fundamentally impair a quantitative research study's accuracy, validity, and projectability. Quantitative Research - Key Characteristics 1. 2. 3. 4. This is the most significant component since it allows the scientist to determine the origins of his or her observations. Experiments are carried out to Control - This is the most important answer certain questions. They represent attempts element because it enables the to determine why something occurs, what causes an scientist to identify the causes of his occurrence, or under what circumstances an event or her observations, and is occurs. Control is required to produce necessary to provide unambiguous unambiguous results responses to similar queries. answers to such questions. This means that concepts must be defined by the Operational Definition - This means procedures or operations that are used to measure that terms must be defined by the them. This method is required to eliminate any steps or operations used to measure ambiguity in meaning and communication. Consider the following statement: 'Anxiety causes them. kids to do poorly on tests.' 'What exactly is Replication - To be replicable, the anxiety?' one could wonder. 'Saying that anxiety is data obtained in an experiment synonymous with tenseness or some other such must be reliable; that is, the same phrase merely adds to the misunderstanding. result must be found in the study is The data obtained in an experiment must be repeated. dependable in order for it to be repeatable; that is, Hypothesis Testing - The systematic the same result must be obtained if the study is creation of a hypothesis and repeated. subjecting it to an empirical test. Quantitative Research - Strengths and Limitations Strengths Precision - through quantitative and reliable measurement Control - through sampling and design Ability to produce causality statements, through the use of controlled experiments Statistical techniques allow for sophisticated analyses SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES Replicable Limitations Because of the complexity of human experience it is difficult to rule out or control all the variables; Because of human agency people do not all respond in the same ways as inert matter in the physical sciences; Its mechanistic ethos tends to exclude notions of freedom, choice and moral responsibility; Quantification can become an end in itself. It fails to take account of people's unique ability to interpret their experiences, construct their own meani ngs and act on these. It leads to the assumption that facts are true and the same for all people all of the time. Quantitative research often produces banal and trivial findings of little consequence due to the restriction on and the controlling of variables. It is not totally objective because the researcher is subjectively involved in the very choice of a problem as worthy of investigation and in the interpretation of the results. The type of research and the format of research findings are limitations as well. Research Methodology Used The most important component of any research is the research methodology and the resulting research method that is systematically applied to conduct the research, analyse and report the findings and draw a conclusion to answer the research question thus solving the research problem. To decide on the research methodology to use in this research, two critical questions were required to be considered: The research methodology and the resulting research method that is systematically implemented to conduct the study, analyze and report the data, and form a conclusion to answer the research question, thereby solving the research problem, are the most significant components of any research. Two essential questions have to be examined when deciding on the research approach to be used in this study: • What kind of data would be gathered for the study? as well as; What type of data was going to be • How were the research findings going to be analyzed and reported? collected for the research?, and; The format in which the research findings were going to be analyzed and reported? Apart from the above major two questions, there are other factors to consider when deciding which research methodology to use. Some of them are: SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES Research Questions: What exactly are you trying to find out? Focus on the `exactly' as this can lead you either into the quantitative or qualitative direction. Are we interested in making standardized and systematic comparisons or do we really want to study this phenomenon or situation in detail? The Literature: How have other researchers dealt with this topic? To what extent do you wish to align your research with standard approaches to the topic? Practical Considerations: Issues of time, money, availability of samples and data, familiarity with the subject under study, access to situations, gaining co-operation. Knowledge payoff: Will we learn more about this topic using quantitative or qualitative approaches? Which approach will produce more useful knowledge? Which will do more good? Style: Some people prefer one to the other. This may involve paradigm and philosophical issues or different images about what a good piece of research looks like. Given the above, Qualitative Research Methodology seemed the most appropriate research methodology to use in this research. The logic behind using this research methodology is as above and the justification is as follows: Type of Data: Informational data will be collected through research papers, journal articles, online sites, and web blogs via the Internet. Because the information obtained is textual, it can be analyzed using qualitative research methods. Format of Research Findings: Once again, numbers and statistics could not be utilized to answer the research questions because the research was asking "how" and "what" questions that required descriptive answers in textual format, necessitating the use of qualitative research technique. Research Questions: What I was seeking to find out "exactly" may be best answered using qualitative data in the form of research papers and journal articles using the qualitative research approach. To close the knowledge gap, information has to be gathered, analyzed, and conclusions reached. Quantitative research methods based on percentages and statistics would be meaningless. Study in Details: In order to adequately handle the research problem, situation, or phenomenon, cloud computing with mobile phones potential and difficulties for developing nations must be explored in depth. In such cases, qualitative research methodology is most suited. A quantitative comparison or thorough standardisation is insufficient. Existing Similar Literature: Although there was little research on a topic similar to this one, other cloud computing researchers had conducted qualitative research as well. There is a substantial body of literature recommending the use of qualitative research methods in information systems (Myers, 2009). Cloud computing is closely related to the topic of information systems. Practical Considerations: Because this study looked at the benefits and challenges of cloud computing with mobile phones in developing nations, time limits and financing concerns would preclude primary inquiry and data collecting from all developing countries. Secondary data in qualitative format, on the other hand, was freely available and easily accessible via the Internet for this study. Knowledge Acquisition: Quantitative analysis would not teach us much about this research. Using quantitative research technique, we could predict that the use of mobile cloud computing will expand by 100 percent over the next five years. That, however, is insufficient. We want to know "why" and "how," we SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES want to know more, we want to know everything — that is why we pursue research, "to know as much as possible." To learn as much as possible, qualitative research approach is essential. Availability of Secondary Data: Another major criterion that led to the employment of qualitative research methodology in this study was the abundance of secondary data that was available at the click of a mouse. As Argyrous (2009) points out, "secondary data are an abundant resource for academics" because the Internet has made a tremendous amount of data available. He also mentions the benefits of cost and time savings, access to tested quality data, access to tough groups, and the availability of longitudinal data. Subject Under Study: The researcher has been deeply active in cloud computing research since it became a buzzword in the IT industry. After a succession of other research articles on the same topic discovered a knowledge gap and reduced it down to this research dissertation, he began by writing research papers on comprehending cloud computing. Quantitative Research Methodology; however, there are several sections, percentage and statistics provided with the assistance of quantitative analysis to strengthen the case of mobile cloud computing for developing countries. Research Method Research methods are a variety of techniques that people use when studying a given phenomenon. They are planned, scientific, and value-neutral. Concerned with use of any of the following; theoretical methods, numerical techniques, experimental techniques and other relevant data and tools necessary for the research study. Provide for the collection of relevant information with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money. A research method is any of a number of approaches used to explore a certain phenomena. They are wellplanned, scientific, and value-free. That is, good research methods are not "accidentally" used; rather, they are actively used in a way that maximizes the accuracy of the results. The utilization of theoretical approaches, numerical techniques, experimental procedures, and other relevant data and tools required for the research study are all examples of research methodologies. It is not necessary that every theory, approach, and piece of knowledge in a research topic be applicable to a specific problem. A researcher must find and pick resources relevant to his research project. The research method's function is to allow for the collecting of relevant information with the least amount of effort, time, and money. The design of research method, appropriate for a particular research problem, involves the consideration of the following: Objectives of the Research Study Method of Data Collection to be Adopted Source of Data or Information Tool for Data Collection Data Analysis - Qualitative and Quantitative SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES The goal of the research method is to Exploratory research is a sort of research that is produce new knowledge or deepen conducted to solve an issue that has not yet been understanding of a topic or issue. This defined. process takes three main forms: Constructive research is probably the most popular Exploratory Research - Exploratory method in computer science research. This research is a type of research conducted for a technique necessitates a type of validation that does not have to be as empirically grounded as other types problem that has not been clearly defined. Constructive Research - This type of of research, such as exploratory research. approach demands a form of validation that Nonetheless, the conclusions must be argued and doesn’t need to be quite as empirically based defined objectively. as in other types of research like exploratory Empirical research is a method of acquiring research. Empirical Research - Empirical research is knowledge through direct and indirect observation a way of gaining knowledge by means of or experience. direct and indirect observation or experience. Types of Research Methods They describe the five research methods as follows: Survey: This research approach collects data through the use of questionnaires, which can be paper-based or web-based. Case study: Studies using this research approach collect data at one or more locations, usually over a period of time; data is typically obtained from "many sources of evidence," such as interviews and records. Yin (1994) Laboratory experiment: Control over the independent variables being measured is the goal of studies that conduct laboratory experiments. Treatments are frequently assigned at random to participants and/or groups. Field experiment: Unlike laboratory experiments, which take place in a controlled environment, field experiments take place in a naturally occurring system. As a result, researchers frequently lack control over the factors being measured. Action research: Action research studies seek to solve a practical problem in the research environment while also adding to knowledge about the phenomenon. Action research is a reflective process of progressive issue solving guided by individuals working in groups or as members of a "community of practice." Depending on the features of the subject matter and the purpose of the research, the following two research methodologies can be used in social sciences and later in other fields such as information technology: SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES Qualitative Research • • • • Quantitative Research Ask broad, general Qs Collecting data consisting largely of words (text) or image (picture) Descriptions and analysis of words for themes Conducts inquiry in subjective, biased manner • • • • Ask specific narrow Qs Collects data from participants Analyzes numbers using statistics Conducts the inquiry in unbiased, objective manner REFERENCES Goundar, Sam. (2012). Chapter 3 - Research Methodology and Research Method. (PDF) Chapter 3 - Research Methodology and Research Method. ResearchGate. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2021, from https://bit.ly/3kGg2ze Sharma, S. (2018, December 17). (PDF) introduction to research methods. ResearchGate. Retrieved November 17, 2021, from https://bit.ly/3oFFcPC doha07 Follow. (n.d.). Quantitative and qualitative research. SlideShare. Retrieved November 17, 2021, from https://bit.ly/30yiyQJ