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A 3 page research paper that discusses the differences between quantitative and qualitative research, as well as the debate ongoing in the scientific community about which is best. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
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3 pages (~225 words per page)
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differences between these two approaches, which can be regarded as polar opposites, but there are similarities as well. Quantitative research does precisely what its name implies; it "quantifies" phenomenon through
statistical analysis. In quantitative studies, researchers attempt to formulate theories that are both "testable and confirmable," so they endeavor to reduce a "social reality" to its component variables in much
the same way that physical scientists control their experiments (Qualitative, 2008). On the other hand, qualitative researchers feel that human behavior is best understood if it is studied within
the context in which it occurs and when it studied taking a holistic approach rather than a manipulative one (Qualitative, 2008). This is, therefore, an "intensely personal and subjective style
of research" (Qualitative, 2008). In general, research in the physical sciences takes the form of some sort of quantitative research, following the classic 5-step scientific method, in which the researcher:
1) observes natural phenomena; 2) draws conclusions as to what is happening; 3) utilizes the conclusions to formulate hypotheses (predictions) pertaining to the causal relationship between certain
observations; 4) test the hypotheses over time; and 5) attempts to develop theories to explain why it is happening. Thereafter the spiral of scientific investigation manifests in building
and developing the body of knowledge in a specific field (Poggenpoel, Myburgh and Van der Linde, 2001, p. 408). Qualitative researchers focus on observing the social world in an
interpretative manner, which is geared to be holistic in nature as the principal goal is to "understand social life and the meaning that people attach to everyday life" (Poggenpoel, Myburgh
and Van der Linde, 2001, p. 408). The two opposing camps that have grown up around these methodologies have each argued that their approach is superior and the only
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