Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods: A Comparative Analysis, Thesis of Accounting

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Identifying Qualitative and Quantitative Research Characteristics University of Phoenix RES/709: Research Conceptualization And Design

Explain what characteristics make the study and research methods used quantitative The quantitative approach uses deductive reasoning, as outlined in the article "PTSD as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Police Discrimination and Family Relationship Among Black Americans." This quantitative research primarily used numbers and statistics, which is preferred in most natural sciences because it can hypothesize objectively and reliably. (Borgstede & Scholz, 2021). The quantitative methodology uses large samples; the target population for this study was Black Americans (Black Americans and African Americans) who are 18 years old or older and have experienced police encounters. There are no restrictions on gender for this study. Black Americans were selected because black communities are over-policed and experience police discrimination more than other races (Mekawi, 2022). The relationships or associations between variables are measured by statistics to identify the significance of the relationship or association. The independent variable that was used in this study is police discrimination. The dependent variable for this study was family relationships. The mediation variable is PTSD symptoms. The study used a quantitative, non-experimental research design to evaluate relationships among variables. The theoretical framework for this study included the family systems theory. The family system theory identifies family members as a system that impacts each other's level of functioning. Police discrimination has a negative psychological and physical effect on Black Americans and has been identified as a traumatic event. Individuals who have experienced trauma and survived it have reported problems with their interpersonal relationships. Trauma affects the whole family, not just the member of the family that has experienced it or been exposed to it, leading to a systemic dysfunction within the family (Papero, 2017).

To obtain the required information from research participants, the researcher chose the phenomenological design; this qualitative approach provided research subjects with the opportunity to share personal experiences and feelings related to self-seeking mental health assistance and the associated stigma that is part of the law enforcement subculture. In the selected qualitative article, the literature review introduced the critical research issue, being that the profession of law enforcement is one of the most challenging and stressful occupations due to repeated exposure to death, violence, and acute and chronic stressful events at work. There has been a direct correlation between job-related trauma and stress and PTSD, substance abuse, depression, and suicide or suicide ideation in law enforcement officers. These combined factors negatively impact the mental and physical well-being of law enforcement officers and cause them to exhibit far more mental health symptoms than that of civilian employees (Craig et al., 2018). The methodology for the qualitative article was in its natural setting. It involved a small sample of 12 current law enforcement officers who served in the Southwest Florida region, with data collection and analysis occurring together. The sampling was purposeful, and the technique was tested in the field. Using a qualitative methodology allowed the researcher to understand the participants' lived experiences by assessing their responses to open-ended questions presented in a semi- structured interview design (Tomaszewski, et al., 2020). The theoretical foundation for the study held that although law enforcement officers hold one of the most challenging positions in society today, as they face extreme exposure to crime and terrible acts of violence which have a tremendous impact on the officers' mental health. A large percentage of officers do not seek mental health treatment due to the labeling and stigmas associated when doing so (Abdullah, et

al., 2020). The outcomes are transferable with the renewed focus placed on officer mental health, and agencies are beginning to realize the importance of changing the current culture to one that is supportive of mental health treatment. Agencies across the globe will begin to support their officers. Analyze the significant difference between quantitative and qualitative research The significant difference between quantitative and qualitative research is that quantitative research collects information based on numerical evidence to analyze and draw conclusions on an issue. Qualitative research is often used to gain increased understanding or insight into a problem by gaining peoples' opinions and perspectives. Another significant difference between quantitative and qualitative research is the researcher's approach. Quantitative research uses deductive reasoning, where the qualitative researcher progresses from general ideas to specific conclusions. However, the qualitative researcher uses inductive reasoning, starting with specific observations and forming general conclusions. Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics and is preferred in most natural sciences because it can hypothesize objectively and reliably (Borgstede et at., 2021). The quantitative researcher uses mathematical and statistical techniques. On the other hand, qualitative researchers use focus groups, interviews, and observations. Quantitative research is often used to identify patterns and make predictions. The researcher collects and analyzes data. The quantitative researcher's data comes from graphs, numbers, and statistics, whereas the qualitative researcher's data comes from ideas, interpretations, texts, and words. Another difference between the two research methods is that the qualitative research approach employs practices specific to the human experience, often preferred in the social sciences This approach focuses on understanding how people make meaning of their social

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