Content area
Full Text
Keywords:
Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Constructivists, Positivist Paradigm, Critical Paradigm, Interpretative Paradigm
JEL Classification:
I23
ABSTRACT
This study aimed at examining the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research in social science studies. The study conducted a systematic literature review of 22 published journal articles to achieve the objective. The review revealed that the qualitative approach was flexible, offered in-depth and detailed information, allowed the use of multiple data collection methods and minimised the chance of having missing data. Moreover, the approach was found to integrate human touch, was cost-effective and was indeed the only option in some cases of research problems. On the other hand, the approach is prone to researchers' subjectivity, involves complex data analysis, makes anonymity difficult and has limited scope in its generalizability. Similarly, the approach makes replication of findings challenging, and the findings may be influenced by the researcher's bias. It is concluded, therefore, that researchers should take necessary precautions when using the approach to ensure that weaknesses of qualitative research do not bar them from achieving research objectives.
Introduction
In undertaking a scientific study, one begins with the dilemma of which research approach to employ. Mehrad and Zanganeh (2019) argue that the choice is usually between qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The two approaches, founded on constructivist and positivist schools of thought, respectively, have invited a never-ending debate (Kang & Evans, 2021).
Constructivists underscore the inductive meaning-making process that results in a subjective approach to theory building and research problem solving, and positivists emphasise theory testing, which, according to Coşkun (2020), provides an objective approach to problem-solving. Both approaches, however, have been used in different settings for varied reasons (Dawadi et al., 2021). A qualitative approach, for instance, is often preferred in social sciences studies as it is believed to suit the achievement of objectives in social sciences (Mohajan, 2018).
The quantitative approach, conversely, is preferred in most natural sciences due to its ability to hypothesise objectively and reliably. However, qualitative research has been subject to more criticism than quantitative research (Borgstede & Scholz, 2021). Opponents of the qualitative approach, for example, are concerned about its appropriateness in yielding expected results (Coşkun, 2020; Noble & Smith, 2015).The criticism is usually grounded on the subjective nature of the process involving...