Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches

2.  All the data collected will be
counted/quantified
 Aim: to approve/disprove a hypothesis. A
hypothesis should be in a form of question
 Advantage: It’s an efficient method of
gathering information
 Disadvantage: It doesn’t explain the question
of ‘why?’

3.  The data collected are non-numerical and
gathered to be analyzed in-depth, not to be
quantified
 Aim: to answer a research question
 Advantage: Contextual information is
gathered, and thus, reasons of why
phenomena happen can be explained and
explored
 Disadvantage: Time consuming

4.  Combination of both
 Advantage: balancing efficient data collection
and in-depth analysis with the data that
provides context
 Challenge: researchers need to make sure
that the two data are complement to each
other and not duplicative

5.  Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative,
quantitative, and mixed methods approaches
(4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 Maxwell, J. A. (2012). Qualitative research
design: An interactive approach (3rd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 Smith, R. A., & Davis, S. F. (2012). The
psychologist as detective: An introduction to
conducting research in psychology (6th ed.).
London: Pearson.