A brief note on the three research approaches (qualitative methods, quantitative methods and mixed methods)

A brief note on the three research approaches (qualitative methods, quantitative methods and mixed methods) (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "What are the three research approaches (qualitative methods, quantitative methods and mixed methods) all about in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects?

The reply: "The three research approaches in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects are:

1. Qualitative Methods:

   • These focus on understanding human experiences and meanings through non-numerical data like interviews, focus groups, observations, and textual analysis.

   • They are flexible and subjective, often used to gain detailed insights about behaviors, social contexts, and complex phenomena.

   • Common qualitative techniques include thematic analysis, content analysis, discourse analysis, and participant observation.

   • In Housing Studies, qualitative methods help explore subjective and complex housing issues from consumers' perspectives.

2. Quantitative Methods:

   • These involve systematic collection and analysis of numerical data to test hypotheses, identify patterns, and measure relationships between variables.

   • Quantitative methods use structured tools like surveys and statistical techniques such as regression, t-tests, and modeling to obtain generalizable and replicable results.

   • They require large sample sizes and focus on objectivity and validity.

   • For Housing Studies, quantitative methods can analyze housing insecurity, policy impacts, and economic trends statistically.

3. Mixed Methods:

   • This approach combines both qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive analysis when one method alone is insufficient.

   • Mixed methods integrate numerical data with contextual, detailed qualitative insights, often involving iterative data collection and analysis.

   • This approach addresses complex research questions by bridging the strengths of both methods.

   • Mixed methods in Housing Studies or MBA research help evaluate programs or phenomena where understanding both measurable outcomes and human experiences is essential.

These approaches require justification in dissertation methodology sections regarding their suitability for the research questions and objectives, with the qualitative approach focusing on context and meaning, quantitative on numerical analysis, and mixed methods on integrating both for richer insights."

My question 2: "Provide a brief chronological account of these three research approaches (qualitative methods, quantitative methods and mixed methods)."

The reply: "Here is a brief chronological account of the three research approaches:

1. Qualitative Methods:

   • Qualitative research has roots going back to early ethnographic and social science studies in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

   • It traditionally focuses on exploring human behavior, experiences, and social contexts through non-numerical data like interviews and observations.

   • Over the 20th century, qualitative methods became more formalized with development of specific techniques and epistemologies emphasizing meaning and context.

2. Quantitative Methods:

   • Rooted in the positivist tradition, quantitative methods have been prominent since the late 19th century.

   • These methods focus on collecting numerical data and applying statistical analysis to test hypotheses and generalize findings.

   • By the mid-20th century, quantitative research became dominant in many social sciences, emphasizing objectivity and replicability.

3. Mixed Methods:

   • The explicit combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in one study has been practiced since at least the mid-20th century, with some joint use dating back earlier.

   • However, the formal recognition and definition of "mixed methods research" emerged primarily in the late 1980s and 1990s as scholars began promoting integrated approaches.

   • Mixed methods research involves combining numerical measurement with contextual qualitative insights to provide a fuller understanding of research problems.

   • Since then, mixed methods have increasingly gained acceptance and methodological frameworks, especially in applied social sciences.

Overall, qualitative and quantitative traditions developed somewhat independently for many decades, with mixed methods arising as a recognized approach to leverage the strengths of both from the late 20th century onward."

** also study another note on the research approaches (reasoning).

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.