Quantitative and qualitative analysis
methods are used in academic research. It includes the evaluation, judgment and
investigation. In the modern society, the influence of media and culture are
stronger. More and more popular cultures are developing. It is influenced by
media. Media and culture permeates our lives and society. Therefore, researcher
can explain the true phenomenon and unknown issues through academic research. The
philosophical foundation, purpose and analysis of the academic study are
significantly different in these two research methods.
Firstly, quantitative research is more
objective as it is based on data analysis. The problem and phenomena are
represented by data. It is a high accuracy of studying and discuss the problem
or cause. The data collection is quick such as we can use the online questionnaire
and telephone interview to collect the data from different interviewees. In the
research, the content and theory are confirmed in advance. Then, researcher decide
to collect which kind of the data. So that the way of collect data is specific.
The area of research is more holistic. However, quantitative research also is
based on positivism. The theory is more important because researchers have a hypothesis
in the exiting theory and then explain it. If it is not an objective
description, the scope of quantitative search will be limited.
On the other hand, qualitative research is
more subjective and the participation is high. The interviewees can answer the
questions in some detail and the answer is more diversified so that the
analysis materials are sufficient. It reflects the complexity of human reality.
The questions of interview can be adjusted with the study. It is freer to
collect the diversified data. Moreover, the pursue of qualitative research is
interpretation. The finally conclusion is more special and analyze the issues
thoroughly. However, qualitative research is naturalistic. When researcher is
doing qualitative research, they will emphasize some case unduly. Also, there
are more personal feeling in the interview. Sometimes, it is lack of
objectivity in the conclusion and even lack of practical value.
For my research project, I am interested in
online communities. Actually, with the development of media and culture, more
and more particular languages are used on our daily life. Some new and special
communication style is developed. The pursue of my research is understand this
imagined communities and analyze the relationship between the cyber community
and local cultural. Therefore, I will choose the qualitative research method
for analyzing my topic. I can study the imagined communities thoroughly through
interviews. The diversified data is more suitable in the topic. I will also use
some secondary research to enhance the analysis of my research.
Student name: Tam Yi Ki
Dear Yi Ki, The writing addresses the questions suggested in the assignment brief. Strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research methods are illustrated clearly. Now you can be more specific in your research question. You can start with a group of people online which is widely perceived as a community. Then your ideas of research can be operationalised by examining a couple of important criteria in an "imagined community."
ReplyDelete