Quantitative Research and Numeric Data

 By Nathan B. Smith

The appropriate selection of a research technique is critical for sound scientific research and is determined mainly by matching research goals to the features of various research procedures. Given that researchers in economics, business, and technology must pick from various methodologies and approaches, selecting an acceptable research methodology that supports cross-disciplinary study is one of the most challenging choices a researcher must make. As a result, it is critical to consider the trade-offs inherent in qualitative and quantitative research methods. As a scholar-practitioner, one must examine strategic management theory to choose an appropriate research approach for identifying and assessing critical components and phases.

Discussion

Scenario

This paper presents a case study of a veteran-owned, small business called TechCoaches Information Systems Design that provides technical documentation and spare parts cataloging services to significant aerospace airframer companies like Boeing and Airbus. The airframer assembles an airplane using significant components purchased from other original equipment manufacturers (OEM). For example, most of the work performed by Boeing involves integrating numerous components obtained from specialized manufacturers worldwide. A component may be avionics such as radios, radars, or other critical flight instruments. Components may also be significant aerostructures, such as wings fuselage sections. Other aerostructures may include engine nacelles, which, in turn, comprise subcomponents such as inlet cowls, fan cowls, thrust reversers, and exhaust ducts. Each of these components requires extensive aftermarket technical support services and documentation. For example, a fan cowl will have extensive documentation of structural repair procedures, maintenance procedures, illustrated parts catalogs, and wiring diagrams. 

In this case study, TechCoaches provides documentation services to the component OEM. In real-world business conditions, the entire commercial aviation supply chain has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines have been forced to reduce domestic and international flights under government mandates. Accordingly, companies throughout the aviation supply chain have been forced to lay off nearly two-thirds of their workforce to cut costs. However, the airlines must continue to support essential flights using the remaining workforce. As with numerous small businesses, TechCoaches must continue to provide ongoing logistic support in the form of documentation. TechCoaches has suffered enormous production setbacks due to limited talent with the small remaining workforce. 

The aviation industry is slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels of operation. However, as with many industries, commercial aviation is plagued with massive supply chain challenges. Numerous management problems are encountered as the aviation industry returns to normal operational levels. TechCoaches is now in the process of hiring business consultants to identify specific management problems, develop a plan of action, collect data, analyze the data, and form conclusions. In effect, TechCoaches is hiring several scholar-practitioners who are well versed in business theory from an academic perspective. These consultants must also have the extensive practical industry experience to formulate a corrective action plan. In many respects, components of action research demonstrate a great deal of promise in restoring TechCoaches to its pre-pandemic performance levels. Qualitative and quantitative research elements are appropriate to diagnose current aviation supply chain issues. As part of the contract proposal, the scholar-practitioner is expected to identify and clearly define the (business) problem, succinctly state a purpose, and identify several carefully worded researched questions to be answered by the study. With this initial proposal socialized with the customer, a research strategy must be selected. Traditionally, these strategies are qualitative, quantitative, and mired methods. However, alternative methods have been introduced in recent years, including action and design science research.

Qualitative research 

There are numerous qualitative approaches and worldviews to consider. Each approach comprises specific methods conducted using a framework or lens through which the researcher views the study. The framework also defines principles and processes to understand the project better. 

Qualitative research is also guided by several classic designs such as exploratory learning, case study analysis, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, or narrative description. These designs are further defined by specifying tools and techniques for recruiting study participants, sampling selection, interviews, observation, fieldwork, and document review.

To approach the proposed research with TechCoaches Information Systems Designs concerning current business challenges, the scholar-practitioner could use standard qualitative methods to identify the current business situation, problem areas, and proposed solutions. For example, the research team could conduct staff interviews, identify themes and patterns, and propose solutions based on current scholarly research (Creswell, 2014).

Quantitative research

Quantitative research methods include collecting numerical data, analyzing, and communicating the results. Unlike qualitative research, quantitative research uses measurable data, generally in statistics. Deductive reasoning is employed to consider theory, develop a hypothesis, make observations, and then test the hypothesis. To understand or control a phenomenon, the researchers would use statistical analysis to explore relationships between, compare, or predict values. 

The quantitative analysis comprises several types of research, including descriptive, correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental. The descriptive analysis method defines an observational study, which characterizes what is observed. Correlational studies look at the relationship between variables. Experimental research employs the scientific method to prove a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. Finally, quasi-experimental research is a modified experimental design; however, the independent variable is identified but not controlled (Huck, 2012). 

Selecting an appropriate research methodology

Qualitative and quantitative research mythologies exhibit several characteristics, including the type of phenomenon studied, how results are interpreted, selection criteria, types of questions, data format, and advantages. The following table summarizes these characteristics for each methodology.

The current scenario involving TechCoaches Information Systems Design navigating the challenges and strains of the aviation supply chain during the current world pandemic exhibits areas that can be addressed by qualitative and quantitative design. To properly diagnose a dysfunctional business unit, a researcher could organize a series of in-depth interviews with representative staff members. One could form a non-biased synopsis of the current difficulties in providing quality services to the customer using open-ended questions. On the other hand, it may be more efficient to conduct a company-wide business climate survey using closed-ended questions. Performing statistical analysis of the results could quickly identify relationships and correlations. Quantitative research aims to increase our knowledge and comprehension of the social environment. Researchers use quantitative tools to study human-related circumstances or occurrences. Quantitative research generates objective facts that can be presented effectively via statistics and numbers (Basias & Pollalis, 2018).

Conclusion

Understanding a complex research project in terms of its issue, objective, and particular research topic is seldom an either/or situation that can be resolved utilizing qualitative or quantitative research methodologies. Each approach has trade-offs. When deciding on a proper technique, a researcher must evaluate the phenomena being investigated, how the findings will be interpreted, the selection criteria, the types of questions, the data format, and the benefits. 

This article illustrates a real-world situation with a dysfunctional team of technical writers and logistics analysts. A scholar-practitioner may use academic theory and practical expertise to identify company management difficulties and design a viable production improvement plan. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies both include trade-offs that must be carefully considered before adopting a research plan.

References

Basias, N., & Pollalis, Y. (2018). Quantitative and Qualitative research is business & technology: Justifying a suitable research methodology. Review of Integrative Business and Economics Research, 7(1), 91-105. https://coloradotech.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/quantitative-qualitative-research-business-amp/docview/1969776018/se-2?accountid=144789

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publications.

Huck, S. W. (2012). Reading statistics and research. Boston. MA: Pearson Education, Allyn & Bacon.