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Structure Vs Unstructured Approach

This document summarizes the key differences between structured and unstructured research approaches. A structured approach involves predetermined objectives, design, sample, and questions, while an unstructured approach allows more flexibility. Structured approaches are typically classified as quantitative research, while unstructured approaches are qualitative. The choice between the two should depend on the research aim and how the findings will be used. Quantitative research aims to quantify variations, uses predominantly quantitative variables, and analyzes data through statistics. Qualitative research aims to describe phenomena through nominal or ordinal scales without quantification. Both approaches have strengths and weaknesses.

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780 views13 pages

Structure Vs Unstructured Approach

This document summarizes the key differences between structured and unstructured research approaches. A structured approach involves predetermined objectives, design, sample, and questions, while an unstructured approach allows more flexibility. Structured approaches are typically classified as quantitative research, while unstructured approaches are qualitative. The choice between the two should depend on the research aim and how the findings will be used. Quantitative research aims to quantify variations, uses predominantly quantitative variables, and analyzes data through statistics. Qualitative research aims to describe phenomena through nominal or ordinal scales without quantification. Both approaches have strengths and weaknesses.

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Saba Hamza
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LECTURE 5

STRUCTURED VS UNSTRUCTURED
APPROACH

By: Iqra Ashraf Dar


Structured approach
 In the structured approach everything that forms
the research process – objectives, design, sample,
and the questions that you plan to ask of
respondents – is predetermined

 The unstructured approach, by contrast, allows


flexibility in all these aspects of the process
 The structured approach to enquiry is usually
classified as quantitative research and
unstructured as qualitative research
Which one to choose?
 The choice between quantitative and qualitative
approaches (or structured or unstructured) should
depend upon:
 Aim of your enquiry – exploration, confirmation or
quantification
 Use of the findings – policy formulation or process
understanding
Quantitative Research
 On the other hand, the study is classified as
quantitative if you want to quantify the variation in a
phenomenon, situation, problem or issue; if
information is gathered using predominantly
quantitative variables; and if the analysis is geared to
ascertain the magnitude of the variation.
 Examples of quantitative aspects of a research study
are:
 How many people have a particular problem?
 How many people hold a particular attitude?
Conti..
 The use of statistics is not an integral part of a
quantitative study. The main function of statistics is
to act as a test to confirm or contradict the
conclusions that you have drawn on the basis of
your understanding of analysed data

 Statistics, among other things, help you to quantify


the magnitude of an association or relationship
Cont..
 Data collection in quantitative research is usually
done with tools like questionnaires etc

 After data collection , data is analyzed and


interpreted through statistics by using specific
software
Qualitative research
 A study is classified as qualitative if the purpose of
the study is primarily to describe a situation,
phenomenon, problem or event; if the information
is gathered through the use of variables measured
on nominal or ordinal scales (qualitative
measurement scales) and if the analysis is done to
establish the variation in the situation,
phenomenon or problem without quantifying it
 The description of an observed situation, the
historical enumeration of events, an account of the
different opinions people have about an issue, and a
description of the living conditions of a community
are examples of qualitative research

 both qualitative and quantitative approaches have


their strengths and weaknesses, and advantages and
disadvantages, ‘neither one is markedly superior to
the other in all respects’ (Ackroyd &
Hughes,1992).
Cont.
 Qualitative Research is primarily
exploratory research.
 It is used to gain an understanding of underlying
reasons, opinions, and motivations.

 It provides insights into the problem or helps to


develop ideas.
Cont..
 In psychology, qualitative research has come to
be defined as research whose findings are not
arrived at by statistical or other quantitative
procedures. Qualitative research is often said to
be naturalistic.
Purpose of Qualitative Research
 Its goal is to understand behavior in a natural
setting
 understanding a phenomenon from the perspective
of the research participant
 understanding the meanings people give to their
experience
Thank You

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