Exploring Research Guide

Quantitative research philosophy

In quantitative research there various research philosophy used including methodological theory, ontology, epistemology, and axiology (Fisher, 2010). In ontology, the assumption is associated with the nature of realities as well the characteristics. Therefore, the researcher should embrace the concept of single reality that is the objectives of the study. On epistemology, it is concerned with the level of proximity a researcher establishes with the participants of the study. In a quantitative study, epistemological paradigm stipulates that the researcher is independent of the topic being studied. Objective separates the researcher and the object being researched. Moreover, new knowledge is obtained and verified by observing or estimating changes in phenomena (Creswell, 2007).
Axiology paradigm queries how the researcher’s values can influence the issue being studied. In this case, the paradigm considers the researcher to be independent of the topic being explored. Therefore, there are no issues concerning axiology. With methodological theory, it revolves around the steps a researcher uses to study what they believe may be known and the rationale. Hence, the quantitative study begins by providing the hypothesis of questions obtained from past studies; choose a representative sample; use objective tools such as questionnaire; and present results statistically (Neuman, 2011).

Feasibility

In research, feasibility involves the degree of data used to present reliable results while ensuring that participants’ opinions are consistent (Fisher, 2010). The scholar should use secondary sources to guarantee that information is consistent. For that reason, the researcher should use relevant sources to understand adequately the topic being explored.
Unlike reliability, validity presents the relationships between findings of the study and the actual scenarios on the ground. As such, the research has to ensure that the investigation questions are reflected in the literature review as well as the development of questionnaires. Because the quantitative technique is employed in making sure that participants opinions can be justified the researcher should reduce the method error (Saunders, 2003). The research should minimize sampling errors by using a representative sample, making statistical inferences, and probabilistic approaches to randomly select the sample. In studies, sampling errors emerge due to inappropriate selection of sampling technique. Therefore, the study should embrace a probability sampling method to collect the participants’ opinions on the benefits and challenges of using volunteers in emergency management.

Ethical consideration

When performing the quantitative study, which involves human beings, it is of great importance for the researcher to consider ethical issues. For several years, a number of studies cause psychological, physical effects on the respondents. As such, any research should adhere to ethical issues. For instance, the scholar can put into consideration various ethical issues including;
Informed consent: Getting consent from the participants is important by ensuring that ensure that respondents are well-informed about the risks and benefits associated with the study and its objectives. In addition, the researcher should guarantee that respondents give their consent voluntarily; they have legal ability to obtain voluntary permission, and that ensures their confidentiality (Bryman & Bell, 2003).
Confidentiality: In performing a quantitative study, the researcher has to take into account maintaining the confidentiality of the respondents. In addition, respondent’ confidentiality involves controlling respondent’s regarding disclosing their values, beliefs, and characters. The researcher should guarantee the privacy of respondents when it comes to access to their details. This is achieved by making sure that respondents are not related to their identities when the reporting the findings. In this case, the scholar should;

collect and record data anonymously
creating substitute names for respondents
Using codes to record information, which is not related to identification details

Falsifying information: In conducting a study, the IRB requires that the researcher reports truthful data, in order to prevent falsifying information regardless of the circumstances. For that reason, the scholar can use not only accurate but also truthful information. In other words, the scholar should not use imaginary respondents even if time is limited. Similarly, the research should not use false information to address the reach objectives.
Non-publication of information; this is another making up information, which is breaching ethical issues in performing a study. This breach takes place when the researcher omits particular data since it is what is required or does not respond to the objectives of the study/hypothesis. In this case, the scholar should not use outliers are considerable scores outside the required range in the secondary information. Moreover, the researcher should not overlook insignificant findings. Inappropriate data collection techniques; the use of wrong collection method is a breach of research ethics. Therefore, the scholar should use a suitable technique such as in-depth interviews to collect participants’ views.

References

Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2003). “Business Research Methods,” Oxford University Press, U.K.
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative Enquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. SAGE Publications. London
Fisher, C. (2010) Researching and Writing a Dissertation, An Essential Guide For Business Students, Pearson Education Limited, Essex
Neuman, W.L. (2011). Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 2/E, Pearson Education
Saunders, M.N.K. (2009). Research Methods for Business Students, London: Prentice Hall

By admin in Essays on June 14, 2016