Last week, we talked about the differences between quantitative and qualitative research. We also discussed when one method is better to use than the other. I think this theme was very concrete and straightforward. The seminar was interesting and I learned some new stuff as per usual. But it felt more like a confirmation of what I already knew compared to earlier seminars were I felt like I came to new insights all the time. This means that I am not going to write in detail what quantitative and qualitative research are in this post, since I have done it earlier.
Basically, quantitative data can be calculated and measured while qualitative data is more open and complex. We talked a lot about how one analyses qualitative data in a scientific way. At first I thought that qualitative data could be analysed quantitatively. How many participants answered in a specific way and so on. It is true that the qualitative data can be used like this, but after we spoke to the seminar leader we understood that qualitative data and research really shine in complex studies that has no easy answers. The example that was brought up was heavy metal listeners and their political opinions. If they generally have a different view on politics the interesting thing to know is why. That answer is so complex and has so many variables that it can not be reduced and answered with quantitative data. This is called ‘wicked problems’ and is solved with design research that later produces an artefact that contains new knowledge (a book for example).
Quantitative data are better suited for studies were you do not care about context or the before and after. It is better when you need a simple and concrete answer. We talked about why Illias used a quantitative method in his paper that we had to read last week, and he told us that since they were dealing with the subconsciousness of people they could not be sure to get an honest and precise answer from the participants if they would straight up ask them. Therefore, by measuring their movement it was easier to see the differences between the different states. He also told us that they used a lot of design research to develop their method which was not included in the paper. Among others, they used qualitative methods to come up with the quantitative method they used in the paper. Just like I wrote in my earlier blog post about this theme I think that it is good to use qualitative researches when you do not exactly know how you want to do your quantitative research.
Hi! Thanks for sharing us with your thoughts! I enjoyed reading through your reflection of the lecture and the seminar. Your idea was neatly and well written. I specially like your idea towards such "wicked problems". Good job!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Arvid!
ReplyDeleteI recognized myself in a lot of your thoughts. I also found this theme to be more straightforward since I knew about the different research methods before. Before the seminar I also had a difficult time interpreting qualitative results. One must see and interpret the results in a different way than the results from a quantitative study since the participants of a qualitative research can have totally different views on the subject, just as you say. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your well-rounded reflections on this week's theme quantitative research. It feels like you have a deep knowledge of the subject and can appoint easily when this method should be used. In addition, your explanation on its benefits by using your research paper achieves to emphasize the accuracy and scope of this method. Furthermore, I think you're text is very well written and nicely structured. I especially appreciate the text highlights since they really emphasize the most important messages.
ReplyDeleteHello Arvid! A very insightful reflection indeed! I like that you talk about "wicked problems" because I remember it being talked about during the seminar but I hadn't completely managed to wrap my head around it myself. It is clearer to me after reading your blog post. Interesting point when you say that qualitative research methods are good to use when you don't know how to do a quantitative research. I would say that the motivation for choosing a research method sould be based on the aim of the research which might be something to add to that.
ReplyDeleteHi Arvid!
ReplyDeleteGood job with the blog post, it was interesting! I hadn't actaully thought about how I arranged my qualitative data in the bachelor thesis work until now, I thought of it as qualitative but we did arrange it and present it in a way I would associate more with quantitative research. Interesting to think about, but from what I've learned about qualitative data as this week, you can observe after different parameters and still call it qualitative as well. Tricky!
I like that you explained "wicked problems", I didn't pick it up at the seminar so it was good to get now!
Hello Arvid!
ReplyDeleteInteresting reflection! I especially like how you write about qualitative research as a way to find out how you should conduct research. I think this is related to 'wicked problems' as well. How to conduct a research can be so complex a question that you may need to conduct research into how to conduct research within an area or a broad question.
I was not aware of the term "wicked concepts" before reading this, and you also talk about some things that I was unaware of as well! Nice reflections, you've captured the essence of the two concepts for this week and the distinction between them!
ReplyDeleteI share the same view as you on the areas of use for quantitative methods, and when one asks themselves why something is, like why do people feel this way, a quantitative method will not shine light on the quesiton, but a qualitative might.
Keep it up!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that this week’s theme was somewhat of a confirmation of knowledge I already had, but I now feel like I have a deeper understanding of quantitative methods and its uses. It was also interesting to read the definition of a “wicked problem” which, based on your definition, often seems to be somewhat of a case study? As you mentioned in the beginning this week was more of a repetition for you than something entirely new. However, based on what you’ve written it seems as if you’ve learned quite a lot and gotten a deeper understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and when/why/where they should and shouldn’t be used. Keep up the good work!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteYour thinking of "qualitative data could be analysed quantitatively" is very impressive to me.Yes,It often happens in the research.I think there are still many differences between the kind of analysis and real quantitative analysis.From one aspect, I think the qualitative methods interpret the casual relationship between the nature and phenomenon.On the other hand,there are more judgements of features of objects in quantitative methods.However, I think your case is really vivid to understand.Thanks for sharing.
I agree that qualitative data is more usefull when you want a clear, simple answer, but I also think you touched on something interesting when you spoke of subjectivity. It's hard to be objective about oneself, and since quantitive data is reliant on what people say about themselves and their reasons for living it's hard if not impossible to know that they are answering honestly. It was good that you mentioned this, because it's easily forgotten.
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