The Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Discussion
Qualitative and quantitative research methods are essential paradigms that enable researchers to investigate phenomena, develop and test theories, determine interactions between variables, and make informed conclusions after rigorous research. According to Borgstede & Scholz (2021), the two research dimensions enable case-based and variable-based models of investigating phenomena, supporting inductive and deductive reasoning. However, qualitative and quantitative research methods vary in different aspects, including the focus on understanding the problem’s context, the researcher’s proximity to the studied problem, the scope of study in time, theoretical framework and hypotheses, and flexibility and exploratory analysis. Therefore, this paper presents the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research designs, essential components of consideration when applying qualitative methods in counseling outcomes, and incidences where researchers use qualitative methods in counseling research. The Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Discussion
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Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Qualitative research methods focus on the aspects of reality and unquantifiable understanding and explanation of the dynamics of social relations. In this sense, they lack the concept of numerical representativity but provide in-depth knowledge of the research phenomenon or problem. According to Aspers & Corte (2019), these research methodologies involve an interpretative, naturalistic approach to the subject matter by encompassing various empirical materials, including case studies, personal experiences, introspective, life stories, interviews, observations, and visual texts. These practical strategies describe problematic moments and meanings of individual lives by enabling researchers to be more proximal to the studied problem.
Conversely, quantitative research methods emphasize the statistical significance of studied variables, meaning they have mathematical representativity and focus on quantified aspects. Borgstede & Scholz (2021) argue that quantitative research mathematical representations in quantitative science form the basis of functional relations between a set of variables. Also, these research methods preserve researchers’ external point of view on the topic, meaning investigators have smaller proximity to the studied problem or phenomenon. Finally, quantitative research methods have lower flexibility and exploratory analyses than qualitative research designs, where researchers embrace an extended range of the study’s scope.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Research Designs
Undoubtedly, qualitative research methods provide in-depth explanations of non-quantifiable research aspects. The significant strengths of qualitative science include the ability to aid the development of theories, the flexibility to knowledge discovery, emphasis on the role and relevance of social contexts, and the ability to provide detailed information about individuals and groups (Queiros et al., 2017, p. 378)The Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Discussion. However, these methods have various limitations, including overdependence on researchers’ impartiality, difficulties in controlling and managing variables, time-consuming, limited generalizability due to a lack of mathematical representation, and a more prolonged verification process to extract comparable information.
Essential Components of Consideration when Applying Qualitative Methods to Counseling Outcomes
Despite the limitations and drawbacks of qualitative research methods, they remain appropriate for investigating psychological phenomena and counseling-related topics. According to Tomaszewski et al. (2020), qualitative research draws from constructivist paradigms to understand research subjects rather than predict outcomes. The absence of mathematical representations of qualitative research prompts researchers to consider research’s credibility, dependability, transferability, and reflexivity when investigating counseling outcomes. However, it is essential to evaluate research generalizability, validity, reliability, and objectivity when using quantitative research designs on psychology-related topics. The Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Discussion
When should researchers use qualitative methods when conducting counseling research?
Researchers can use qualitative methods when conducting counseling research to generate new ideas/theories and understand individuals’ unique viewpoints regarding the effectiveness of counseling approaches. This concept is evident in a research study by Dilgul et al. (2021) that explored the acceptability of virtual reality group therapy (VRGT) by investigating stakeholder views on cognitive-behavioral group therapy. The rationale for using qualitative research methods in counseling research is to obtain in-depth knowledge of the therapeutic approach and develop theories consistent with participants’ views and responses. The Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Discussion
Conclusion
Qualitative and quantitative research methods provide opportunities for rigorously examining and investigating research topics, variables, and phenomena. However, the two paradigms are different regarding theoretical framework and hypotheses, flexibility and exploratory analyses, mathematical representations, and the researchers’ proximity to the studied problems. Therefore, this paper elaborates on the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research designs, essential components of consideration when applying qualitative methods in counseling outcomes, and incidences of using qualitative methods when conducting counseling research.
References
Aspers, P., & Corte, U. (2019). What is qualitative in qualitative research. Qualitative Sociology, 42(2), 139–160. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-019-9413-7
Borgstede, M., & Scholz, M. (2021). Quantitative and qualitative approaches to generalization and replication–a representationalism view. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. NCBI. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.605191
Dilgul, M., Hickling, L. M., Antonie, D., Priebe, S., & Bird, V. J. (2021). Virtual reality group therapy for the treatment of depression: A qualitative study on stakeholder perspectives. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 1. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2020.609545
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Queirós, A., Faria, D., & Almeida, F. (2017). Strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research methods. European journal of education studies, 3(9), 369-387. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.887088
Tomaszewski, L. E., Zarestky, J., & Gonzalez, E. (2020). Planning qualitative research: Design and decision making for new researchers. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920967174 The Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Discussion
