Introduction
SPSS is a predictive analytics software and SPSS help provides core proficiency to start the research process from beginning to end. It is an easy-to-use software package which helps you analyse your data with ease. This software basically performs statistical analysis for simple as well as complex data. Researchers often face the issue in some research topics that their data cannot be reduced to numbers, this problem results in confusion about whether to use the qualitative or quantitative research method. Qualitative research could be equally challenging as quantitative research but researchers find quantitative research more connecting and applicable to their study.
Choosing an appropriate research strategy leaves the researchers overwhelmed because they cannot identify which methodology suits their study. In this blog, we will determine those factors which should be taken into consideration while planning to conduct any research. Using those classifying ways you will be able to decide whether to use a qualitative/ quantitative/ mixed strategy. Let us understand both strategies individually.
Qualitative research methodology
Qualitative research methodology involves data in the form of words and actions, words and actions of what people say and perform. This data is collected, analysed and interpreted. This kind of research involves definitions, descriptions, concepts, etc. of certain information.
This is a subjective type of research which utilises totally different methods of data collection than quantitative research.
The sample size of people is small here but each participant is analysed thoroughly. To conduct the qualitative research, a research questionnaire is prepared by the researcher to be asked of participants. When they answer the questions, their responses are evaluated on the basis of their behaviour. Their opinions, perceptions, and emotions about a particular topic related to the study are measured by multiple parameters. Conclusions are being drawn on the basis of the degree of existing agreements among the human subjects.
The quality of the results depends on the researcher’s knowledge, understanding to prepare an appropriate research questionnaire, experience, and skills. People generally have this mindset that it is less expensive than quantitative research but this is not the case. This methodology is more effective to know about people’s views & opinions and responses about a particular topic or phenomenon.
Since the success of this study depends upon the experience & skills of the researcher, therefore students can take help from SPSS experts to conduct their qualitative research process. Experts’ huge knowledge and background will help you take the necessary steps to produce desired results.
Quantitative research methodology
The quantitative research methodology involves a large sample of participants than qualitative research. As the term name indicates, quantitative research is all about quantities, numbers, statistics, and measurements. To execute this research strategy, the researchers use different formulas to define the large sample size in order to get reliable and accurate results.
Generally, researchers define a sample size such that their findings give at least a 95% confidence interval. For example, if you have conducted a survey 100 times and you get the same response for the 95% of the time then this represents your confidence interval. Many researchers choose even less margin of error for their surveys. This research technique is far more expensive than the qualitative one because it involves surveys, analytical analyses, questionnaires, and much more.
Students can take assistance with data collection and statistical analysis from SPSS services. They can help you with defining the sample size, selecting the variables, validity & reliability of the test results, interpretation of the outcomes, etc.
Which one to choose: Quantitative or qualitative?
When deciding which research strategy to be employed for executing your research, you should understand the fact that non of the two is better or easier. Both of the methods have their own positives and negatives. Although there are multiple factors to decide the research method but the most important one is to focus on the title of your research and its visions and goals. Your research topic is a crucial factor to determine the methodology because depending on it you will collect the sample data and perform SPSS data analysis. That sample data could be quantifiable data and measuring variables or it could be in the form of questionnaires and existing theories.
If you have a large number of data in the form of numbers and statistics representing beliefs, experiences, opinions, perceptions, emotions, etc. then you should go with the qualitative research technique else go with quantitative.
Though every study is unique, all kind of research involves these three goals:
- Producing a hypothesis
- Testing the hypothesis
- Exploring the hypothesis
Other than the above-mentioned factors there are other resources also, such as how strong your resources are in terms of the ability to pay the participants. It is decided on the basis of availability of time as well. If conducting research affects your pocket then we will recommend you to conduct a qualitative or mixed research methodology. Remember you need SPSS consulting services also at many stages to pace up your research and keep it on track. Your academic targets’ achievement depends on their support which is absolutely essential for you to have.
Conclusion
In the end, let us recall all the research methodology determining factors:
Research topic purpose, goal, and vision of the topicAvailability of time length Available financial resources Your own abilities to conduct a research
Just keep in mind that whichever technique you choose, you must not lose the purpose and goal of your study. Good luck with your research!