Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods

Research Approach
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Research Approach
Researchers have the liberty to choose one among multiple research approaches in their studies. However, before arriving at the appropriate designs, researchers must consider a range of factors that could determine the validity or reliability of their findings. Factors including the timing of the study, the sample size, research goals, and statistical significance are among the factors that researchers explore before settling on specific designs. This paper explores the applicability of different research approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, in conducting a study. The study will explore the relationship between limiting access to firearms and gun violence. The primary research question poses whether limiting access to firearms can reduce gun violence. The outcomes of this analysis should help the study determine the appropriate design for the topic with factors such as time, statistical significance, sample size, and goals considered vital in the choice for qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods approaches.
Quantitative Approach
Conducting the study through a quantitative approach accords the study the freedom to steer a scientific discovery. A quantitative study implies the application of numerical data to reach the findings. Bearing the increased reliance on numerical data, a quantitative approach heavily relies on experiments and surveys to retrieve measurable data on which statistical data analyses can be applied (Piccioli, 2019). A study aiming to determine the impacts of changes on the dependent variable on the independent variable can heavily benefit from quantitative approaches due to high generalizability. Additionally, this study aims to cover a large population, something that a quantitative approach befits.
Determining the impacts of gun control measures on gun violence will demand an emphasis on a non-experimental design. In quantitative research, non-experimental designs accommodate inputs such as surveys and observation to collect numerical data (Dawson, 2020). Surveys can be used to collect data from the participants. The project can be subdivided into a control group and a project group. The researcher can then determine changes in the subject group with the implementation of gun control policies. The outcomes can be recorded from both sample groups and their affinity to violence determined. The researcher can ascertain behavioral changes in either group from such a quantitative approach and represent the data numerically.
Qualitative Approach
Qualitative designs are employed to measure non-numerical data in studies. Qualitative studies emphasize understanding intangible evidence such as behaviors or emotions. The qualitative approach is heavily applicable to studies that assess motives bearing individual behaviors or actions, understanding individuals and their environments, and analyzing the relationship between indi...