Assignment 2: LASA: Research Proposal Project

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ASSIGNMENT 5

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When it comes to research, a researcher may apply qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods. In order to determine which method is best suited, one needs to analyze the problem in question, and the type of question that one needs to answer to solve the problem. It is the limitations that either of the methods have that lead to a researcher selecting one method over another.

Quantitative report mainly deals with numbers. As such, quantitative research enables a researcher to analyze a population by profiling the proportion that is aligned with particular tendencies or intentions. The proportion as derived, gives a value that answers the crucial quantitative research questions which are aimed to seek a hypothesis by answering, “ How many?” The data in this case is represented in the form of numbers and other statistical outputs. As a research method, quantitative research has several strengths over the qualitative method. First of all, it is objective; the data results, being numerical, are clear and easy to interpret (Hussein, 2015). Second, its analysis is easy; if continuous records are filed, one can deduce a pattern and easily come up with a conclusion (Hussein, 2015). Due to these reasons, a person investigating a forensic behavioral science situation may use quantitative research when investigating issues such as prevailing trends in a particular population. The specialist will as such use the method to quantify the proportion that fits in his or her research by using methods such as surveys and audits.

On the other hand, there are situations that may lead a forensic behavioral science specialist to use qualitative research. Qualitative research answers the question, “ why”. It is therefore important where one needs to find the underlying reasons as to why people in a particular population. The data to enable the researcher to explain and understand the phenomena in question can be collected by using focus groups, in-depth interviews, observation and triads (Brannen, 2017). The advantage of using the method is that the data collected is that a smaller sample is needed, the research is often more detailed and it provides unprompted feedback (Hussein, 2015).

However, in forensic behavioral science, one may need to combine the two methods to gain different perspectives. Additionally, the two methods complement each other (Brannen, 2017). Therefore in an instance where one needs to achiever a deeper insight of the collected data by combining the qualitative and quantitative data results. It is also advantageous to use when there are no budget restrictions.

References

Hussein, A. (2015). The use of triangulation in social sciences research: Can qualitative and quantitative methods be combined?. Journal of comparative social work, 4(1).

Brannen, J. (2017). Mixing methods: Qualitative and quantitative research. Routledge.