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How qualitative and qualitative research approaches compare
Qualitative research differs from quantitative research because participants exist in their natural setting. Unlike quantitative research where an investigator manipulates variables or recreates the natural setting in the lab, qualitative research aims at assessing behaviours in its undisturbed from.
The investigators role also makes these research strategies quite divergent. In quantitative studies, examiners rely on external instruments, like questionnaires, as data collection instruments. However, in qualitative research, the researcher is the main instrument as he observes behaviour, conducts interviews and analyses documents.
Both research methods are similar because they may involve data collection from multiple sources. Data analysis in quantitative research is deductive in that it starts with hypotheses, then data collection, which are then analysed statistically. However, qualitative researchers conduct inductive data analysis by starting with the data and then working backwards to develop themes (Creswell, 2008).
This may involve continual interactions with the participants. Quantitative researchers often prescribe their research design and use it as a guide to determine how they will conduct their investigation. Conversely, qualitative research adheres to emergent design since phases and processes alter as the research progresses. Both research approaches rely on theoretical lenses.
Qualitative researchers use these lenses to view their subjects while quantitative researchers base their research questions on the same. Finally quantitative research involves giving a holistic account of a problem. Multiples factors and perspectives are involved. On the contrary, quantitative researchers usually narrow their areas of inquiry to one or two issues.
Research questions that suit qualitative inquiry
Qualitative research is appropriate for questions that lack effective models. They often start with why. For instance, Why is the quasi market model unpopular in eastern local councils? . Conversely, questions that start with what may also fall in this category if framed in a certain way. For instance if someone asks What does public participation in health service provision mean to residents of Markenshire? .
This question starts with what but it entails determining the personal experiences of people in this location. It raises a series of sub questions that are typical of qualitative research. Questions that start with how are appropriate for qualitative research.
They entail complex descriptions of findings, which are suitable for qualitative analyses. When questions do not involve subjective experiences and they commence with what, who or when, then quantitative methods are suitable.
Popularity of qualitative methods in public administration
Qualitative methods are limited in practical public administration research. It is likely that this limited popularity stems from the lack of research standards to guide these studies. Additionally, the methods of learning and practice are yet to be streamlined. Furthermore, some scholars simply classify all non quantitative studies as qualitative yet they could be non positivistic or interpretive.
Additionally, scholars stay away from this method because of questions of generalisability. It is likely that the discipline is more inclined towards objective analysis than subjective ones. While public administration falls in the field of humanities, it is largely managerial and also legalistic. Therefore, a reverence for objective work exists.
This implies that issues such as cost benefit analyses, and structures dominate practical research (Samier, 2005). Nonetheless, qualitative research in academic research still has its place. The human experience is an indispensable part of administrative work, so this holistic approach is tenable.
Furthermore, more researchers are finding new ways of addressing generalisability issues in case studies. Therefore, the mode of research holds a lot of promise in the future.
References
Creswell, J. (2008). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches. NY: Sage.
Samier, E. (2005). Toward public administration as a humanities discipline: A humanistic manifesto. Halduskultuur, 6(3), 6-59.
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