NMQ 745: Chapter 8 - Summary

NMQ 745 Chapter 8
The Qualitative research processes
8.1 Introduction
Ϫ One of the key aims or functions of qualitative research is to explore certain phenomena in
an attempt to create ‘new’ knowledge or bring ‘new’ facts to the front.
Ϫ Studies of this nature are therefore exploratory in nature, focusing on specific problems
often located in isolated and secluded surrounding not characterised by the large sample
sizes often applied to quantitative research strategies.
Ϫ The findings of such investigations can therefore not easily be generalised, but are
reserved for the situation and context forming part of the immediate sample or target.
Quantitative research is a process that is systematic and objective in its ways of using numerical
data from only a selected subgroup of the population to generalize findings to the population being
studied
Important elements
1. Objectivity
2. Numerical data
3. Generalisability
8.2 Preparing your research proposal
Steps for quantitative research project

Identify main
research question



Decide on
State null and
infromation needed
Identify DV and IV alternative
to answer this
hypothesis
question