Research method

Three research methods are described in the literature as Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed
Method research. (Corbetta, 2003; Creswell, 2003; Jupp, 2006) Mixed research is a combination
of both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Qualitative Method: Exploration of subjective meanings of change in social relationships,

events and phenomena in context and over time through how people interpret the world.
[ CITATION Vic06 \l 1033 ] Qualitative research is concerned with understandings of the research
question from actors’ own frame of reference. [ CITATION Lan05 \l 1033 ] In terms of data
collection and analysis, a qualitative approach to data is structured and interpreted as part of the
research process. [ CITATION Mat10 \l 1033 ].

Quantitative Method: ‘Involves collection of data in numerical form for quantitative

analysis’[CITATION Vic06 \p 251 \l 1033 ]. A quantitative research method executes meanings and
interpretation of this numerical data. [ CITATION Swa \l 1033 ] A quantitative method pursues facts
of social phenomena. [ CITATION Lan05 \l 1033 ] In terms of data collection and analysis, a
quantitative approach applies structured data on both the research questions and the answers.
[ CITATION Mat10 \l 1033 ].

Mixed Method: Use of both qualitative and quantitative methods in one research study to
address a single research question. [ CITATION Vic06 \l 1033 ] It allows for addressing the
drawbacks of both methods in approaching today’s research practice. [ CITATION Cre03 \l 1033 ]

3.1.1. Method selection:

‘Choosing a research method requires logic and judgement’[CITATION Swa \p 24 \l 1033 ]

Matthews & Rose (2010) argue that the selection of research method depends on the research
question and the nature of the data required to address the question.

In addition to the above stated characters, quantitative research is not concerned with the
relationship with the researcher and refrains from any form of manipulation in the relationship;
findings of a quantitative method depend on mathematical processes and formulae rather than a
researcher’s own judgment as in the qualitative method.[ CITATION Cor03 \l 1033 ]
In line with the positivist philosophical approach and descriptive research design, a quantitative
research method was selected for the research. The quantitative method will allow the researcher
to be free of bias and psychological involvement. These would otherwise increase the probability
of subjectivity in the research results.

The formulation of quantitative research is made up of the research structure and technical
instruments to be used. [ CITATION Cor03 \l 1033 ] The next section will describe the data
collection and analysis methods applied for the descriptive research through quantitative
approach.