Building the Body of Knowledge Module 2, Class 3

A Teaching Module Developed by the Curriculum Task Force of the

Sloan Work and Family Research Network

Quantitative Research Methods

The quantitative research approach "is an objective, formal, systematic process in which numerical data are used to quantify or measure phenomena and produce findings. It describes, tests and examines cause and effect relationships, using a deductive process of knowledge attainment." (Carr, 1994, p. 716)

Carr, L.T. (1994). The strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research: What method for nursing? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 20(4), 716-721.

Limitations of Quantitative Research Less conducive to creating rich, thick

descriptions of social life

Constructing, rather than reflecting, some realities

Qualitative Research Methods

“(Q)ualitative researchers are guided by certain ideas, perspectives or hunches regarding the subject to be investigated.” (Carr, 1994, p. 716)

Theory is developed inductively.

“There is no explicit intention to count or quantify the findings, which are instead described in the language employed during the research process.” (Carr, 1994, p. 716)

Carr, L.T. (1994). The strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research: What method for nursing? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 20(4), 716-721

Limitations of Qualitative Research

Sample size Ability to generalize findings beyond the

groups studied Researchers also may be involved with

their subjects, which in turn can shape their perspectives and ability to be impartial observers

Mixed Methods

A procedure for collecting and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or in a series of studies, based on priority and sequence of information.

Creswell, J.W.(2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, 2nd. Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Examples of Quantitative/Qualitative Data Collection Methods

Quantitative Data Collection Methods

Qualitative Data Collection Methods

Fixed response questions in interviewsSurveys with fixed response optionsObservations of behaviors on indices or scalesMeta analyses

InterviewsFocus groupsObservationFieldworkCase studyLife historiesContent analysisFilming of interactionsRecording of conversations

Limitations of Mixed Methods

Time consuming Expensive Difficult for a single researcher to carry out

(might require a research team) Need to be properly trained in both

approaches and need to understand how to appropriately combine them

Class Conversation: Assessing How Work-Family Conflicts Contribute to Stress

Experiments and Quasi-Experiments

Surveys Unobtrusive

methods Ethnography Focus Groups Experience

Sampling Methods

Adopt one methodological approach Design the rudiments of

a research study Consider how you would

measure “stress” and “work-family conflicts”