Theme 4: Quantitative research (after)

Theme 4:  Quantitative research (after)

Theory and method for media technology

Zulfiya Tarazova

On the Workshop we were divided on four groups. We were talking about of benefits and limitations of using quantitative and qualitative methods. Discussion was interesting, the professor gave us opportunity to remember everything, to miss nothing. So, now I can say that among the benefits of quantitative methods are that quantitative research methods are numerical, and so they can't be misinterpreted. This allows researchers investigating the same social phenomena to approach the investigation with the same quantitative method and compare results. The fields of statistics and applied statistics give researchers using the quantitative method a vast selection of methods with which to analyze results.

Among the advantage of qualitative methods: thought and cognition. It means that researcher can get information directly from the source. Qualitative research methods such as interviews and focus groups allow researchers to understand the thought processes of the subjects.

Professor asked us about differences between online test and test on the paper. We mentioned that online tests can increase the number of participants and do not restrict locations of participants. But for some persons is easier and more familiar to get test on the paper, that is why we should consider individual characteristics of test participants during the test . Professor reminded us that sometimes online tests can have difficulties with maintaining of the confidentiality of the information, so we should understand that online test has not only advantages, but disadvantages also.

On the end of the Workshop professor has shown how we should construct the questionnaire to the test. This work require from researchers a big attention and knowledge. The using of some interactive methods on the questionnaire (if it will be online) also can be useful.