Breaking down the quantitative/qualitative divide
Why does Bryman argue that research methods can be seen as relatively “free-floating” or autonomous?
Because researchers often change their minds about which method to use
Because most qualitative researchers are Hippies who believe in free love
Because there is no longer any meaningful distinction between quantitative and qualitative research
Because there is no inevitable connection between a researcher’s choice of method and their epistemological/ ontological beliefs
Because there is no inevitable connection between a researcher’s choice of method and their epistemological/ ontological beliefs
If a researcher chooses a particular research method, does that automatically presuppose a commitment to a particular epistemology or ontology? Bryman argues against this on pragmatic grounds (p624/625), pointing out that both quantitative and qualitative methods can be used within a single overall design and that there may be fashions in the predominant use of one type or another. It would not be unthinkable for a ‘post-modernist’ dissertation supervisor to suggest quantitative research methods for a student’s research, nor for a positivist supervisor to recommend ethnography or focus groups.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 625,626
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 625,626
Because there is no inevitable connection between a researcher’s choice of method and their epistemological/ ontological beliefs If a researcher chooses a particular research method, does that automatically presuppose a commitment to a particular epistemology or ontology? Bryman argues against this on pragmatic grounds (p624/625), pointing out that both quantitative and qualitative methods can be used within a single overall design and that there may be fashions in the predominant use of one type or another. It would not be unthinkable for a ‘post-modernist’ dissertation supervisor to suggest quantitative research methods for a student’s research, nor for a positivist supervisor to recommend ethnography or focus groups.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 625,626
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 625,626
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How does quantification help the qualitative researcher avoid being accused of anecdotalism?A. By allowing them to focus on extreme examples in the data and ignore the rest
B. By providing a structure to an otherwise unstructured dataset
C. By making it more likely that official statistics will be included in their report
D. By providing some idea of the prevalence of an unusual or striking response
What does the term “quasi-quantification” refer to?
A. The use of words like “many”, “some” or “often” in qualitative research
B. A poor attempt at statistical analysis
C. The use of a survey instrument that has not been tested for inter-coder reliability
D. The way scientists talk about their data in numerical terms to enhance the credibility of their findings
What is “ethnostatistics”?
A. The study of the way statistics are constructed, interpreted and represented
B. The study of the way ethnic minorities are represented in official statistics
C. A new computer program designed to help lay people understand statistics
D. An interpretivist approach made famous by the work of Garfinkel (1967)
How is it argued that qualitative research can have “empiricist overtones”?
A. Semi-structured interview schedules are used to quantify behaviour
B. There is an emphasis on direct observation of people and social settings
C. Qualitative researchers prefer to conduct statistical analyses of their data
D. It typically involves testing a clearly defined hypothesis
Why is it argued that qualitative research may not really be “naturalistic”?
A. Because participant observation has to be overt and so causes reactivity effects
B. Because methods such as interviews and focus groups constitute artificial social settings
C. Because quantitative methods such as structured observation tend to take place in more naturalistic environments
D. Because it is concerned with the social world rather than the natural world
In what way does the thematic analysis of interview data suggest quantification?
A. It demands the use of computer programs like SPSS
B. It is based on numbers rather than text
C. It involves establishing the frequency of particular words, phrases or themes
D. It is usually followed by a stage of rigorous statistical testing
Which of the following is not one of the contrasts that has been made to distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research?
A. Behaviour versus meaning
B. Numbers versus words
C. Traditional versus modern
D. Artificial versus natural
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