Criminal Justice

Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of qualitative and quantitative research.

Do you believe one research method is more valuable than the other? Why or why not?

ANSWER

Research Methods

Picking the greatest study technique enables a person to answer a investigate question or a test hypothesis effectively. Mistakes and complications at the start of the research procedure can interfere with an otherwise promising research. Acknowledging the pros and cons of qualitative and quantitative processes will assist one in making complex decisions.

Advantages of Quantitative

The most significant advantage of this method is that the result is applicable, dependable, and can be generalized to a more powerful position. It is also advantageous to studies that engage numbers, such as determining achievement issues between diverse groups of learners or evaluating a new blood pressure medication’s effectiveness. Any research with complex statistics and information analysis is considered valuable and impressive because several people do not understand the mathematics engaged (Jones, 2012). Quantitative research is involved with technical improvements, including computer modeling, portfolio evaluation, and other data-centered business decisions.

Disadvantages of Quantitative

While this method might function well under strongly prohibited conditions, assessing facts such as human behavior in ordinary settings is challenging. Survey instruments are susceptible to errors, including those in dimensions and flawed sampling processes. Another disadvantage is that the method engages numbers, with some being too hard to quantify. For instance, designing a useful survey with closed-ended questions concerning how people fall in love would be difficult.

Advantages of Qualitative

This method is usually utilized to carry out communal and behavioral studies since human connections are more complicated than molecular reactions in a beaker. The most significant advantage of this research method is the ability to effectively scrutinize and acquire rich descriptive information concerning social occurrence through prepared interviews, case studies, and observations.

Disadvantages of Qualitative

This method always takes more time to accomplish because of the specific condition to collect and evaluate field notes, transcribing interviews, studying photographs, and examining themes. Still, studies are not simply replicable or generalized to the entire population. Both unconscious and mindful prejudice can affect the researcher’s conclusion (Dowd, 2018). Without detailed scientific controls and numerical information, some researchers might dismiss qualitative results as unreliable data.

Preference

Quantitative is more preferred over qualitative research because it is considered to be more scientific, focused, fast and acceptable. However, qualitative examination is used when the researcher has no information on what to expect. It is utilized to define the issue or develop and approach the issue. Therefore, many researchers prefer quantitative method to qualitative because of the diverse advantages it has as opposed to others.

References

Dowd, M. (2018). Advantages & disadvantages of qualitative & quantitative research. Retrieved from https://www. theclassroom. com/advantages-disadvantages-of-qualitative-quantitative-researc h-12082716. html.

Jones, C. (2012). Advantages & disadvantages of qualitative & quantitative research. Kallio, H., Pietilä, AM, Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M.(2016). Systematic methodological review: developing a framework for a qualitative semi‐structured interview guide. Journal of advanced nursing, 72(12), 2954-2965.