D1: Assess research methodologies with regard to ensuring validity of findings
In this assignment I have explained the strengths and weaknesses of four research methods. I will then
link each research method to an ethical issue and assess how validity can be ensured.
Qualitative:
There are strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research. The first strength of qualitative research is
that it is very detailed and can give researchers a lot of information on their subject matters. However, a
weakness of qualitative research is that it is not easy to generalise the results because of how detailed
the data collected is. Another strength of qualitative research is that it is cheaper because a smaller
sample size can be used, as the data is more detailed than quantitative. Furthermore, a weakness is that
the data collected is highly subjective because people have different perspectives which can influence
the data. The ethical issue which can be linked to this is vulnerability of client groups. This is because
individuals who are vulnerable will not be able to fully understand the research, such as disabled people,
people with learning difficulties or mentally ill people. Therefore, they will not be able to give informed
consent before the research. Researchers are able to take advantage of these individuals; it is important
that they do not exploit them for ethical reasons. It will be especially hard for them to understand
qualitative questions because they are more detailed so they may not be able to comprehend the
question if they have a disability, mental illness or learning difficulty. Validity of qualitative data can be
ensured by carrying out the research on an appropriate sample of participants. If not enough
participants take part in the research, the results can be false and inconsistent. However, if the sample
size is too big it will take too long to analyse the data and will be a waste of time if the same data can be
collected from a smaller sample size. Therefore, it is important to use an appropriate sample size that
isn’t too small or too big, which accurately represents the population. For example, in my research I
used a sample of 24 students which consisted of both males and females between the ages of 16-21+.
This would accurately represent the students at the college where I was doing my research, I then used
the data collected to generalise the whole college.
Quantitative:
There are strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research. A strength of quantitative research is that
it is usually very accurate due to the fact that it is numerical. However, a weakness is that the data will
be restricted because it is not as detailed as qualitative data so it will not give researchers as much
information. Another strength of quantitative data is that it is quick to analyse due to the fact that it is
numerical, and software can be used to analyse the data. This also makes it more accurate because it
removes human error. Furthermore, a weakness is that quantitative research does not take place in
natural settings, which can make the data inaccurate because participants may act differently to how
they usually would. The ethical issue which can be linked to this is informed consent. It is important to
get informed consent from individuals before carrying out the research, this means that they should be
aware of how their contributions will advance the research and of any information they need about the
research. For example, the overall purpose of the research, what is expected of the participants if they
take part in the research, what risks are involved in participating and an entitlement to withdraw from
the research at any moment. However, sometimes the researchers may have to withhold some
information from the participants, so that they do not have knowledge about the research which would
affect how they respond. This usually happens in behavioural studies. For example, if researchers were
collecting quantitative data such as ages of participants which they would later present on a website,
Unit 22 1
In this assignment I have explained the strengths and weaknesses of four research methods. I will then
link each research method to an ethical issue and assess how validity can be ensured.
Qualitative:
There are strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research. The first strength of qualitative research is
that it is very detailed and can give researchers a lot of information on their subject matters. However, a
weakness of qualitative research is that it is not easy to generalise the results because of how detailed
the data collected is. Another strength of qualitative research is that it is cheaper because a smaller
sample size can be used, as the data is more detailed than quantitative. Furthermore, a weakness is that
the data collected is highly subjective because people have different perspectives which can influence
the data. The ethical issue which can be linked to this is vulnerability of client groups. This is because
individuals who are vulnerable will not be able to fully understand the research, such as disabled people,
people with learning difficulties or mentally ill people. Therefore, they will not be able to give informed
consent before the research. Researchers are able to take advantage of these individuals; it is important
that they do not exploit them for ethical reasons. It will be especially hard for them to understand
qualitative questions because they are more detailed so they may not be able to comprehend the
question if they have a disability, mental illness or learning difficulty. Validity of qualitative data can be
ensured by carrying out the research on an appropriate sample of participants. If not enough
participants take part in the research, the results can be false and inconsistent. However, if the sample
size is too big it will take too long to analyse the data and will be a waste of time if the same data can be
collected from a smaller sample size. Therefore, it is important to use an appropriate sample size that
isn’t too small or too big, which accurately represents the population. For example, in my research I
used a sample of 24 students which consisted of both males and females between the ages of 16-21+.
This would accurately represent the students at the college where I was doing my research, I then used
the data collected to generalise the whole college.
Quantitative:
There are strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research. A strength of quantitative research is that
it is usually very accurate due to the fact that it is numerical. However, a weakness is that the data will
be restricted because it is not as detailed as qualitative data so it will not give researchers as much
information. Another strength of quantitative data is that it is quick to analyse due to the fact that it is
numerical, and software can be used to analyse the data. This also makes it more accurate because it
removes human error. Furthermore, a weakness is that quantitative research does not take place in
natural settings, which can make the data inaccurate because participants may act differently to how
they usually would. The ethical issue which can be linked to this is informed consent. It is important to
get informed consent from individuals before carrying out the research, this means that they should be
aware of how their contributions will advance the research and of any information they need about the
research. For example, the overall purpose of the research, what is expected of the participants if they
take part in the research, what risks are involved in participating and an entitlement to withdraw from
the research at any moment. However, sometimes the researchers may have to withhold some
information from the participants, so that they do not have knowledge about the research which would
affect how they respond. This usually happens in behavioural studies. For example, if researchers were
collecting quantitative data such as ages of participants which they would later present on a website,
Unit 22 1
