Describes multiple realities develops a deep understanding

Question

Assignment: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Under what conditions would an industrial/organizational (I/O) professional choose a qualitative research method over a quantitative research method when investigating a workplace problem or phenomenon? Support your position with at least two scholarly sources.

To help you organize your notes for this assignment, consider the following chart that provides an overview of differences between quantitative and qualitative research methodologies:

	Quantitative	Qualitative
Approach	Is deductive (primarily) and then inductive	Is inductive (primarily) and then deductive
Purpose	Tests theories, makes predictions, establishes facts, and tests hypotheses	Describes multiple realities, develops a deep understanding, and captures everyday life and human perspectives
Research focus	Isolates variables, uses large samples, and collects data using tests and formal instruments	Examines the full context, interacts with a limited number of participants, and collects data face-to-face from participants
Research goals	Confirms or disconfirms theory Finds central tendency, what is common Tests hypotheses Classifies participants Uses statistics Researches on participants	Examines lived experiences Is particular and idiosyncratic Transforms society Empowers participants Has a rich description Researches with and for participants
Research plan	Is developed before the study is initiated Is a structured, formal proposal	Begins with an initial idea that evolves as the researcher learns more about the participants and setting Is a flexible and tentative proposal
Data analysis	Is mainly statistical and quantitative	Is mainly interpretive and descriptive
Results presentation	Involves a formal writing style and impersonal voice	Involves a less-formal writing style and personal voice

Submission Details:

• By the due date assigned, post your responses in a minimum of 300 words to this Discussion Area.