SOCIOLOGY
QUESTION: Why Quantitative research methods are thought to be
more reliable than qualitative research methods?
Answer:
Quantitative data is information that can be expressed in statistical or
number form while qualitative data is information concerned with the
feelings people have and the meaning and interpretation they give to
some issue or event. However, quantitative methods are seen to be
more reliable due to several reasons.
Quantitative methods are reliable methods as other researchers would
achieve same results by using it. These methods are favored by
positivists because this scientific method is seen as more objective and
systematic and can be analyzed statistically to answer hypothesis.
These methods allow numerical data to be produced and trends to be
identified.
In addition, the research is easily replicated by others because data is
often collected by using standardized questions which are easily coded
and quantified. This makes replication easy and allows for accurate
cross-checking of results.
Furthermore, Quantitative methods can be generalized to an extent
and are representative as it involves global coverage and gives us an
easy and manageable ways of identifying changes.
QUESTION: Why Quantitative research methods are thought to be
more reliable than qualitative research methods?
Answer:
Quantitative data is information that can be expressed in statistical or
number form while qualitative data is information concerned with the
feelings people have and the meaning and interpretation they give to
some issue or event. However, quantitative methods are seen to be
more reliable due to several reasons.
Quantitative methods are reliable methods as other researchers would
achieve same results by using it. These methods are favored by
positivists because this scientific method is seen as more objective and
systematic and can be analyzed statistically to answer hypothesis.
These methods allow numerical data to be produced and trends to be
identified.
In addition, the research is easily replicated by others because data is
often collected by using standardized questions which are easily coded
and quantified. This makes replication easy and allows for accurate
cross-checking of results.
Furthermore, Quantitative methods can be generalized to an extent
and are representative as it involves global coverage and gives us an
easy and manageable ways of identifying changes.
