Assingments % - Understanding Quantitative and Qualitative Research: A Scholarly Response

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative research?
Respond to your peer post below. Post should be scholarly written, APA formatted 7th edition. Minimum of 2 references.
There are primarily two different types of research: quantitative and qualitative. To put it simply, quantitative research provides objective numerical data while qualitative research focuses on subjective, observable data that is not easily measured (Chalmers & Cowdell, 2021). There are differing types of quantitative research that seek to gain measurable data using controls and variables or through describing ideas and relationships (Gray & Grove, 2021). The types of quantitative include descriptive, correlational, quasi-experimental, and experimental research (Gray & Grove, 2021). Descriptive and correlational research are referred to as noninterventional while quasi-experimental and experimental research are interventional (Gray & Grove, 2021). According to Gray & Grove (2021), descriptive research “is the exploration and description of phenomena in real-life situations” (p. 47). Correlational research is similar; it investigates the relationship between variables (Gray & Grove, 2021). Quasi-experimental research studies cause-and-effect relationships and experimental research is a highly controlled version of quasi-experimental research (Gray & Grove, 2021).
Qualitative research is very different. Qualitative research “provides in-depth insights and understanding and real-world issues” (Chalmers & Cowdell, 2021, p. 47). Qualitative research is typically conducted via interviews, focus groups, or observation which makes it subjective (Chalmers & Cowdell, 2021). Because of this, qualitative research is subject to influence by the researcher’s biases and preconceived ideas (Chalmers & Cowdell, 2021). As with quantitative research, there are different methods of qualitative research. Phenomenological, grounded theory, ethnographical, and exploratory-descriptive research fall under the qualitative method umbrella (Gray & Grove, 2021). Despite these differences, all forms of research must be rigorous. A study would be considered “rigorous” if it encompasses precision, consistency, and transparency (Gray & Grove, 2021). Rigor ensures that the study is replicable so that its findings can be validated by similarly conducted research. Additionally, quantitative and qualitative methods can be combined within the same study, thus making it a “mixed method” study (Chalmers & Cowdell, 2021).

References
Chalmers, J., & Cowdell, F. (2021). What Are Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods? A Brief Introduction. Dermatological Nursing, 20(2), 45–48.
Gray, J., & Grove, S. K. (2021). Burns & Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Writing a scholarly response to a post, especially in a structured format like APA 7th edition, can seem challenging. But don’t worry, I’ve got a step-by-step guide to help you organize your paper and address your peer’s post effectively. Follow these steps to ensure your paper is clear, professional, and adheres to APA formatting rules.

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Requirements

Before you begin writing, it’s essential to break down the assignment’s key components:

Respond to a peer’s post: The focus of this assignment is engaging with a peer’s post on the topic of quantitative vs. qualitative research.
APA 7th Edition format: This means you’ll need to follow specific formatting guidelines for citations, references, and paper structure.
Minimum of two references: You need to include at least two scholarly references that support your response.

Step 2: Review the Peer’s Post Carefully

Take time to read and understand your peer’s post. Your goal is to engage with their content thoughtfully. Focus on their key points:

What did they say about the differences between quantitative and qualitative research?
What specific types of research did they mention?
How did they explain the importance of rigor in research?
Did they mention mixed methods research?

This will give you a solid foundation for your response.

Step 3: Introduce Your Response

Your response should start with a brief introduction that:

Acknowledges the peer’s post.
Gives a quick summary of the topic at hand (quantitative vs. qualitative research).
Outlines the purpose of your response, which is to engage with and add to their ideas.

Example: “Your post presents a detailed distinction between quantitative and qualitative research. In this response, I will further explore the differences between these two research methods and add insight into how rigor applies across both types.”

Step 4: Analyze and Engage with the Content

Next, analyze the peer’s content and offer your scholarly perspective. Here’s how:

Agree or Disagree: You can agree with or challenge their ideas, but be sure to back up your stance with scholarly sources.
Provide Further Clarifications: If you feel any points could be expanded, provide additional details or examples.
Introduce New Ideas or Perspectives: Build on their arguments with new insights that help deepen the discussion.

For instance, you might write: “I agree with your explanation of descriptive and correlational research as noninterventional methods. However, it’s important to also consider the limitations of using noninterventional research in certain contexts, such as when exploring dynamic relationships in behavioral studies (Author, Year).”

Step 5: Incorporate Scholarly References

Support your ideas with references from academic sources. When incorporating references in APA format:

Cite your sources in-text following the format: (Author, Year).
Ensure that your sources are credible and scholarly.
Include at least two references, one of which may be your peer’s citation (for example, the works of Gray & Grove or Chalmers & Cowdell).

Example in-text citation:
“As noted by Chalmers & Cowdell (2021), qualitative research provides insights into real-world issues through methods such as interviews and observations.”

Step 6: Conclude Your Response

Wrap up your response with a conclusion that:

Summarizes your key points.
Reaffirms the value of both research methods (quantitative and qualitative).
Briefly mention the potential benefits of mixed-methods research.

Example: “In conclusion, while quantitative and qualitative research serve different purposes, both are essential in expanding our understanding of complex phenomena. Incorporating a mixed-methods approach can offer a more comprehensive view of research questions.”

Step 7: Format Your Paper According to APA 7th Edition

Now that you’ve written your response, make sure it’s properly formatted:

Title Page: Include a title that is concise and descriptive of your response. Follow APA formatting rules for title page structure.
In-Text Citations: Ensure you are citing your references correctly throughout the text.
References List: List all references at the end of your paper in alphabetical order. Use a hanging indent for each reference entry.
Margins, Spacing, and Font: Double-check that you have 1-inch margins, double-spacing, and use a readable font (usually Times New Roman, size 12).

Step 8: Proofread and Edit

Finally, proofread your paper to ensure it flows logically, is clear, and follows all APA rules. Look for:

Grammar and spelling errors.
Proper use of in-text citations and references.
Adherence to the assignment requirements.

Once you’re satisfied with your paper, you’re ready to submit it!

By following these steps, you’ll be able to structure your response to your peer’s post in a clear, organized, and scholarly way. Good luck!