If information is to be labeled credible then it has to be acquired in nothing less than a scientific way. By saying this, it means that there should be a systematically planned method of obtaining data that begins with finding reliable sources in significant quantity and ends in formulating conclusions. In research, there are basically two types of research methods, the qualitative and the quantitative. The two are different in a number of ways and can be appropriately applicable to certain kinds of studies. Yet despite the wide array of differences, what primarily draws the line between the two is that the variables involved in a quantitative study can be identified and measured while in qualitative, it cannot (Glesne & Peshkin, 1992). Moreover, due to its objectiveness, quantitative research method is usually preferred over the type. Likewise, quantitative research can also take several forms depending on the kind of instrument used. Hence, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between each form just so only the suitable method will be employed in achieving the desired reliable data.
[...] From there, the differences and similarities of these three research methods are laid out. Before this paper is put to end, it is important to provide a clear comparison and contrast among these three. In regards to definition, survey involves making the respondents answer questions. Content analysis, on the other hand, involves scrutinizing the content of any communicative language and coding them accordingly based on certain rules of categorization. Moreover, experiments covers having the researcher control certain variables, which can be done in a laboratory but not at all times. [...]
[...] The response set is somehow dependent in the form of scaling, that is, “construction of an instrument that associates qualitative constructs with quantitative metric units” (Trochim, 2006). Mostly used in social research, three main kinds of scaling are Thurstone or Equal- Appearing Interval Scaling, Likert or “Summative” Scaling and Guttman or “Cumulative scaling. Note that each of these scales is named after their inventors. First, the construction of the Thurstone Scale starts with formulating statements regarding a particular variable then asking each different people to rate the statements from 1-11 based on how much they perceive the statements to be referring to the variable. [...]
[...] Meanwhile, for this paper, the focus will center on these different mentioned facets of experiments, surveys and content analyses, among many other methods of quantitative research. Surveys One of the most common types of quantitative research method is a survey. It covers all kinds of measurement procedures “that involve asking questions of respondents” (Trochim, 2006). Moreover, among many ways to classify surveys, one is through the kind of media utilized to carry out such. Basically, there are three types of surveys based on this kind of classification: written, oral and electronic (Palmquist,n.d.). [...]
[...] In less technical worlds, content analysis involves putting adequate focus on the mere content or features of the text itself by breaking down and coding the different elements of the text such as sentences, words, themes, etc. (Palmquist, n.d.). Likewise, a text can take the form of a book, interviews, essay, news, or any kind of communicative language. Content analysis is most useful in “mass communication and in other fields to describe content and to test theory-derived hypothesis” (Riffe, Lacy & Fico, 1998). [...]
[...] Nevertheless, concentrating more on the quantitative methods, especially the ones discussed in this paper, it is crucial to keep in mind that despite the fact that these methods produce objective and more or less reliable results, these methods are still at risk of formulating result errors. Of course, this is expected to happen if each method is not carried out in the right way. Definitely, once the purpose and the appropriate method are identified, the researcher should come up with a research design that will give an idea or a guide on the approach of the study. [...]
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