qualitative research is more valid and reliable than quantitative research.

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Write a debate rebuttal against the topic below

Group 1 Moot- Qualitative research is more valid and reliable than Quantitative Research

According to Cohen (1980), quantitative research is defined as social research that employs empirical methods and empirical statements. He states that an empirical statement is defined as a descriptive statement about what “is” the case in the “real world” rather than what “ought” to be the case. Qualitative research focuses on understanding a research query as a humanistic or idealistic approach, findings that can not be obtained from a quantitative study that only generates numerical data. The qualitative method is used to understand people’s beliefs, experiences, attitudes, behaviour, and interactions. It generates non-numerical data which helps to develop policies and programs for society. The integration of qualitative research into intervention studies is a research strategy that is gaining increased attention because of the validity and reliability of findings and the ability to add new dimensions to the study area.

Validity and reliability are very important factors in any research paper as both demonstrate how well a method is measured. Validity refers to the concept of being accurately measured in a study and determines how findings are applied and interpreted, whereas reliability signifies whether a measure is consistent or not. Qualitative or quantitative research methods are usually used in research studies and in some cases a combination is used. “Qualitative research is used to gain insight into people’s attitudes, behaviours, value systems, concerns, motivations, aspirations, culture, or lifestyles. It is used to explore new areas of research and find deeper meanings attached to social problems. It is also used to inform business decisions, policy formation, communication, research and social change” (UWIOC, 2022).

On the other hand, “quantitative research is used to answer questions about relationships among measurable variables with the purpose of explaining, predicting and controlling phenomena” (Leedy and Ormrod 2001 as cited in UWIOC, 2022). “Quantitative researchers seek explanations and predictions which they can generalise to other persons and places” (UWIOC, 2022).

Qualitative research, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is more valid and reliable than quantitative research. In qualitative research, the researcher engages with research participants and obtains firsthand and comprehensive experiences about the social phenomena being studied. Humans are social beings with emotions, thoughts, and feelings, all of which should be engaged during a study. Through interviews, purposeful conversations, focus groups, and participatory observation, a researcher can gain meaningful information as the thoughts and feelings of participants are shared. An accurate measure of how a social ill affects a person or group of people is best understood and explained by active engagement and association with the target group.

Quantitative research is detached with an objective view and focuses on numbers and statistical analysis, making it less valid. Qualitative research is giving the research participants the opportunity to express themselves and help the researcher to actively live their experience and as a result, contribute to the exploratory and meaningful findings.
The sample sizes in qualitative research are smaller but more focused than quantitative research however which does not reduce the reliability of qualitative research. Statistics of a quantitative paper is not the only thing that makes a research study reliable. The validity of qualitative research is unquestionable. Qualitative research proves its accuracy and validity as the results obtained are collected and analysed based upon an inter-relational and interpersonal approach. The results from the qualitative research method are indefinitely reliable as long as the variables do not change as with quantitative research. With humans and the ever-changing qualities of humankind, qualitative research serves its purpose well. This is because the responses received through this methodology are unique and create a better understanding of the social effects that currently affect society. Qualitative research is open and understanding to humanistic behaviours and how they change often, for that, the quantitative research method is more reliable than the quantitative research method that deals with the ‘history’ of the study and not the ‘now’. The qualitative research method closes the historical and periodic gaps left by quantitative research. Additionally, the findings of a qualitative study are transferable and reliable, in that similar studies and research methods conducted in different environments are very much the same and yield the same result as it relates to the problem being studied.

The qualitative research gets to the target of the human social activity to which the research was designed in the first place. Therefore, the results prove to be more valid, because it measures what it is supposed to measure. The method in qualitative research measures the phenomena from all sides leaving no gap for error and inconsistency. The information collected in the qualitative research is authentic and factual, the results are based on empirical data obtained by the researcher themself being in close contact and spending time observing the phenomena- patterns and inconsistencies are barely missed from such research.

In view of the fact that qualitative research focuses on social behaviour and its impacts so greatly, when researching a focus group, the qualitative method is able to shine a light on the diversity that at times affect the social behaviours of society. It is also able to bring clarity and remove objectionable views on minority groups, this shows its reliability that no one is left out from the study, and clarity and validity are met with this research method. When all is said and done, qualitative research is more factual and reliable than quantitative research as it gives obvious, profound data/evidence that enhances the concern and status of the area being examined, which is inconceivable with quantitative research.

References
Aspers, P., Corte, U. What is Qualitative in Qualitative Research. Qual Sociol 42, 139–160 (2019).Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-019-9413-7
Carey Jw. Linking Qualitative And Quantitative Methods: Integrating Cultural Factors Into Public Health. Qualitative Health Research. 1993;3:298–318.
Cohen, L. and Manion, L., Research Methods in Education, London: Groom Helm Ltd., 1980. SuphatSukamolson.pdf
Katy Cowan Launched Creative Boom In 2009 To Support The Creative Community Retrieved from Https://Www.Creativeboom.Com/Contributors/Katy-Cowan/
Lauren Cochrane( May 2021) Best last Modified On Wed 12 May 2021 17.16 Bst. Retrieved from Https://Www.Theguardian.Com/Fashion/2021/May/11/Sole-Of-A-Nation-How-Clarks-Became-Jamaicas-Favourite-Footwear
Pathak, V., Jena, B., Kalra, S. 2013. Qualitative research. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/openview/69b6c78d849cd34fb324e69c998d26d8/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2035655
Reid Aj. What We Want: Qualitative Research. Canadian Family Physician. 1996;42:387–389
UWIOC. (2022). Qualitative Research, [PDF document]. Retrieved from:
https://2021.tle.courses.open.uwi.edu/pluginfile.php/125669/mod_resource/content/3/SOCI1001UNIT7FinalPeerReviewDEC27.pdf
UWIOC. (2022). Quantative Research, [PDF document]. Retrieved from:
https://2021.tle.courses.open.uwi.edu/pluginfile.

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