Link to tweets which following questions are based on: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/courses/46790/pages/session-3-mixed-methods-research-designs?module_item_id=473056.
Queen and Ahmed use the phrase “real”. What do you think are the main characteristics of “real research”? Real research answers questions about phenomena that occur in the world, tests hypothesis and is systematic for example qualitative or quantitative research styles which are thought-out and methodological.
Queen’s tweet on supporting quantitative research design is quite strong. What are the strengths and applications of quantitative research design that validate her viewpoint? Of what limitations of quantitative research do you think she needs to be reminded? Quantitative research designs are used to collect numerical data objectively, to reduce bias and ensure academic rigour. Quantitative research designs are usually applied from the perspective of a positivist research paradigm where the reason for doing research is to establish causal relations that can be used to predict and control phenomena. Some disadvantages are, it can be expensive to collect the needed data and not many outcomes can be found in this type of research.
In Ahmed's reply to Queen, he seems to be fully supportive of only using qualitative research designs. What are the strengths and applications of qualitative research design that validate his viewpoint? Of what limitations of qualitative research do you think he needs to be reminded? Strengths of qualitative research are Generates hypotheses and records subjects’ lived experiences.Some disadvantages of this type of research are Self-selection bias and it can be time-consuming to conduct.
Linda seems to think that mixed-methods research is the answer to all research design problems. Do you agree? Substantiate your answer, providing examples on whether you think mixed-methods research can practically address all limitations of the previous two research designs. Yes, I do agree, Mixed methods research design is an approach to research in which both quantitative (close-ended) and qualitative (open-ended) data is rigorously collected and analysed in response to research questions and hypotheses, it has the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research design.
Which research design methods would you prefer to use to conduct research? Give reasons for your choice. Quantitative research, because numbers if collected and analysed well can be more reliable as well as being able to answer hypothesis, which I prefer compared to qualitative research where hypothesis are generated.
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