Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodology

Dr. Ashraf Mahraj, a JCC faculty presented a seminar on 4/12/2014 for college staff in JCC seminars room. It was the first in a two-part series on Research Methodology. It was prefaced with an explanation of some common terms associated with research, for example, “Validity”, “Reliability”, “Inductive vs. Deductive” reasoning, etc. This was followed by a discussion of the distinction between Methodology and Method. An analogy of a beach umbrella was used where the cover of the umbrella can be regarded as the overarching research design / paradigm, while the handle of the beach accessory and area below the cover comprises the Research Methodology and Methods.

The presentation then moved on to consider some of the salient differences between Qualitative and Quantitative research. Issues such as generalizability, sampling, and data analysis were addressed during this part of the presentation.

The remaining section of the session was focused on a viewing and summary of videos showing various Methodologies. The Methodologies that were screened were: Ethnography, Case Study, Grounded Theory, Historical Review, and Phenomenology. The first four disciplines were discussed as issues from these videos elicited questions and comments from the audience. The coverage of Phenomenology and the planned workshop involving participants’ “matching” of typical research topics with appropriate Methodologies will form the scope of Part 2.