In addressing the propositions and context of the case study, it becomes necessary for the researcher to ascertain that there is no deviation in findings in relation to the set research questions of the study. Data analysis is this study would be promoted using mixed research approach. Collection and comparison of qualitative as well as quantitative data would be carried out based on thematic analysis. It will also reflect on the data credibility by crosschecking the findings of different studies. Themes will be made according to the research objectives and the findings collected from the case study would be crosschecked against the literature reviewed.
Research design follows the chosen research strategy closely and some authors often use the words quite interchangeably. Zikmund, et. al (2010, pp. 137-157) provide four major orientations to qualitative research namely, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory and case studies. Phenomenological orientation encourages in person conversation and often interviewer asks indirect questions and interprets later Zikmund, et.
For many years, quantitative methods for research have been used to test theories and hypotheses. Qualitative methods are still growing and in contrast to the quantitative methods, they provide a better understanding of meaning and experiences of participants. The emphasis is on the quality of experience, instead of causal relationships (Pietkiewicz & Smith, 2012). It is very important to follow a set of guidelines to provide the readers with adequate details of the research being performed and give an overview and understanding of the participants’ background lives. Elliott, Fischer, & Rennie (1999) constructed a set of guidelines to review qualitative research.
Collecting and analyzing data comes as an essential step in any research to give an end result. In every research a data is the main source of information, whether it is quantitative or qualitative research. According to Anselm Strauss and Juliet Corbin there are three main components of Qualitative research and first one is data which actually comes from “sources like interviews, observations, documents, records and films.”(A Strauss, J Corbin, 1990, p 11-12) Qualitative data are not numeric like in Quantitative data which can be calculated with accuracy. “Qualitative data is extremely varied in nature. It includes virtually any information that can be captured that is not numerical in nature.”(William M.K.
Qualitative research explores phenomena and relies heavily on extensive interviewing. Once its data is collected, its research is modified according to what is found (Mack et al., 2005). Quantitative research, however, attempts to prove or disprove existing hypotheses concerning phenomena (Mack et al., 2005). It employs very rigid surveys, observations, and questionnaires. Despite their differences, both qualitative and quantitative research are effective and evidence
Section III. Choice of Research Method: Quantitative, Qualitative or Mixed? The selection of data analysis techniques to deal with research questions or hypotheses and the techniques chosen for the data collection is informed and guided by what we call the research method. Hence, research method is a procedure, and also the analytical techniques to be chosen and the methods to be chosen will also be dictated by the choices of the methodologies made and by the theoretical framework (Sumner and Tribe, 2008). Research methods for knowledge claim and strategies is of three types: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.
Researchers will need to have a close involvement with the participants to understand their perspective and interpretation regarding on a situation or phenomenon to develop an in-depth explanation. Qualitative research is done in a wide-angle lens as subjectivity is critical to examines the breadth and depth of phenomena. It is often designs in open-ended questions in order to analyse and interpret the data. The method for qualitative research includes ethnography, interview, historical research, participant observation and textual analysis. (Brennen, 2013) With the strengths of the both qualitative research and quantitative research, triangulation research method will be conducted to enhance and validate the research.
This method takes less time as the interviews and questionnaires are not requiring too much detail. Researchers have proper control group and comparison group to make the research impact more valid. Although its cover a wider range but as an issue it’s more costly because it includes travelling. Quantitative research is something one can bet on as it’s based on exact numbers and figures showing the differences. It includes more concerned interviews with relevant defined question which cannot be changed.
For this, contextual variables need to be examined in detail which cannot happen in statistical studies. Secondly, another example of case studies is that they are able to generate new theories. They can identify new variables and build new hypotheses. This happens through deviant cases as well as by other methods like interviewing participants. When interviewing participants, they might be asked about some variables ‘x’ or ’y’ and they give the answer ‘z’ so this will help researchers develop some new hypotheses through the added variable.
Quantitative research ensures the simple division of the information in order to let the researcher plan statistically. Research findings should go through the pilot-test in order to ensure the authority and trustworthiness of collected data while conducting quantitative research (Hardy and Bryman, 2009). Cottrell and McKenzie (2011) mentioned quantitative method as a traditional research type. Qualitative Research Researchers conduct qualitative research in the view of finding answers and investigating the topic question of the research (Cottrell and Mckenzie, 2011). One of the aims of qualitative research is the construction of experimental understanding (Stake, 2010).