De Asis, Jace B.

8/9/19
11 – STEM Sir Rolf

Qualitative research methods: When to use them and how to judge them

Qualitative and quantitative research methods are compared to different point of

views. Qualitative research is often viewed more lighter to handle because it only requires
a small amount of samples and the results are concluded based from the researcher’s
opinion or experiences while quantitative research is viewed to be more reliant to the
answers from their larger amount of samples for them to get accurate data and to avoid
using their own opinion/experience as reference. For reviewers it is important to know the
difference of the accuracy between the two different methods so that they could determine
whether they can be reliable or not. Now, questions that are appropriately answered using
qualitative methods and tips on how to evaluate the scientific accuracy of qualitative
studies are about to be shown (Hammarberg, 2016). Quantitative research methods are
usually utilized when it comes to analyzing numerical and statistical data and their
variables can be independent and are used to form a hypothesis before collecting the
data while qualitative research methods are necessary in answering questions about
experiences, perspective, and participant’s point of view. They are also used to analyze
text and documents such as media articles, government reports, websites, etc. When a
population cannot be determined, a qualitative method with wide publicity can reach
people who do not usually volunteer for research and show their true selves and get rid
of their silence (Hammarberg et al., 2014). When research interview people about their
personal experiences, they tend to gain more knowledge than the knowledge that they’re
about receive. It’s possible to combine qualitative and quantitative research methods
either they are arranged sequentially or parallel or and used for corroboration or
elaboration, but great care is needed to ensure that the theory behind each method is
correspondent and that the methods are used for valid reasons. Quantitative studies
involve collecting of data and the use of standardized measures and statistical analysis
while qualitative studies involve the systematic collection, organization, description and
interpretation of textual, verbal or visual data. It is widely accepted that qualitative
research needs to be ethical, important, intelligibly described, and use appropriate and
accurate methods (Cohen and Crabtree, 2008). Qualitative researchers defend the
integrity of their work by means of its trustworthiness, credibility, applicability and
conclusions. (Leininger, 1994). Research that uses qualitative methods is not always the
easy option, nor the collation of anecdotes. Researchers must demonstrate the validity of
their analysis and conclusions, resulting in longer papers and the frustration with word
limits of appropriate journals. The experience of health, illness and medical intervention
can’t always be counted and measured because researchers need to recognize what they
mean to individuals and groups. The knowledge gained from qualitative research
methods can tell clinical practices, suggest how to support people with chronic conditions
and contribute to community education and awareness about people who are
experiencing infertility or using assisted conception (Hammarberg, 2016).

References:

Cohen D, Crabtree B. Evaluative criteria for qualitative research in health care:

controversies and recommendations. Ann Fam Med 2008;6:331–339.

Hammarberg K, Johnson L, Bourne K, Fisher J, Kirkman M. Proposed legislative change

mandating retrospective release of identifying information: consultation with donors and
Government response. Hum Reprod 2014;29:286–292.

Leininger M. Evaluation criteria and critique of qualitative research studies. In: Morse J
(ed). Critical Issues in Qualitative Research Methods . Thousand Oaks: Sage, 1994,95–
115.