QUANTITATIVE and QUALITATIVE RESEARCH STRATEGIES (METHODOLOGIES)

QUANTITATIVE and QUALITATIVE RESEARCH STRATEGIES (METHODOLOGIES)

Design assumptions about knowledge claims are translated and applied in a research process into methodologies or research strategies. A research strategy (or  methodology) is systematic process of how a research is conducted to solve an inquiry problem. It should be recognized that a research methodology is different from a research method. Research methods falls under methodologies and may refer to specific procedural techniques used to conduct a research. Research methodologies can be classified in several ways. The term ‘research methodology’ may refer to a research approach, research type, research paradigm or even research framework. In general, research methodologies tend to be more quantitative or qualitative or a combination of both (mixed approach). Research methodologies, operative at a more applied level, provide a specific framework, guideline or direction for research procedures.

​Here, I briefly tabulate the main strategies or methodologies of inquiry that are associated with quantitative research and qualitative research approaches (Crotty, 1998; Creswell, 1998, 2003; Strauss & Corbin, 1994)

Quantitative Research Strategies (Methodologies)