Concept Review: Research Approaches

The purpose of the research is to predict, explain or validate a theory and a phenomenon.

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• Mixed

• None of the above

Commonly used when the variables are generally poorly studied.

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• Mixed

• None of the above.

Searches for themes and categories using inductive reasoning.

• Qualitative

• Quantitative

• Mixed

• None of the above.

Uses mostly statistics and aggregated data.

• Qualitative

• Quantitative

• Mixed

• None of the above.

Follows more flexible format for the research document.

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• Mixed

• None of the above.

Questions are mostly open-ended and exploratory.

• Mixed

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• None of the above.

Variables and context is highly controlled. 

• Mixed

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• None of the above

Sample size is variable depending on the purpose of the researcher.

• Qualitative

• Quantitative

• Mixed

• None of the above.

Purpose is to generalize about a larger population.

• Mixed

• Qualitative

• Quantitative

• None of the above.

Data are collected in the subjects’ context or setting.

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• Mixed

• None of the above.