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Understanding research methods

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Demonstrate your understanding of the nature of the three major research methods by describing and comparing the foundations of quantitative and qualitative research for each of the following elements.

- Nature of research: scientific and philosophical underpinnings
- Approach to inquiry: induction versus deduction
- Belief about truth: positivism and empiricism
- Type of data: numeric versus narrative data
- Use of data: testing hypotheses and theories versus generating hypotheses and building theory
- What are two rationales for using a mixed methods approach?

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Solution Summary

This abstract provides a thorough overview of the foundational similarities and differences between qualitative and quantitative research including the nature of research, approaches to inquiry, belief about truth, types of data used, rationale for the approaches to research, and the use of these types of research differences.

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INTRODUCTION
Before I begin outlining the necessary components of your question, I wanted to provide you with two APA website references, as I am certain you will be using these in your program. I am not certain if you are using APA, but I am assuming that you, like the majority of my other students, are required to cite your sources. The first reference is the OWL by Purdue University. When developing the contents of your paper and the structure, this website will help you a GREAT deal: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/. Any APA questions that you might have can be found on this website. Also, for citing websites that you locate, I highly recommend using Son of Citation Machine. This website is fabulous, free, and easy to use: http://citationmachine.net/index2.php?reqstyleid=2&newstyle=2&stylebox=2. 


There are so many amazing resources online, which highlight similarities and differences between quantitative and qualitative inquiry. Check out this article... It helped me a lot- http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=856884&show=html. Unfortunately, the majority of students do not understand the overlapping components associated with qualitative and quantitative research and henceforth, find it extremely difficult to full understand the two paradigms.

ASSIGNMENT
Demonstrate your understanding of the nature of the three major research methods by describing and comparing the foundations of quantitative and qualitative research for each of the following elements. 



NATURE OF RESEARCH: SCIENTIFIC AND PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERPINNINGS
Qualitative research is rooted in philosophical underpinnings and the need for future research and discovery. Think of it this way... In order to continue onward with surveys, questionnaires, laboratory experiments, etc., you need the theory to be present. ...

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