CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.3 Research Approaches
A mixed method study was chosen for this research to enable an in-depth exploration of the lived experiences and attitudes of the community of Inanda towards state provided health services. In this case study a concurrent mixed-method approach was used, with the qualitative component giving context to the quantitative results. The survey which was conducted through electronically administered questionnaires, focused on individual’s access to health care, personal experiences as well as attitudes engendered by individuals towards the health services. The in-depth interviews which were conducted telephonically provided a platform where the respondents could elaborate on their individual experiences and how those have shaped their attitudes towards health services. The synthesis of the two sections of the study was undertaken at the time of the interpretations of the results.
3.3.1 Qualitative approach
Qualitative research is multimethod in focus, involving an interpretative, naturalistic approach to its subject matter. It involves the studied use and collection of a variety of empirical materials such as case studies, personal experiences, introspective accounts, life stories, interviews, observations, history, interactional and visual texts, all which describe routine and problematic moments and meanings in individuals’ lives. Aspers & Corte(2019) define qualitative research as any research that uses data that do not indicate ordinal values. Qualitative research helps researchers to access the thoughts and feelings of the research participants, which can enable the development of an understanding of the meaning that people ascribe to their experiences (Sutton & Austin, 2015).
Qualitative research methods are said to not be ‘hypothesis driven’. The researcher is often tempted to put themselves in the position of the participant in order to understand the world from the participant’s perspective. This risks the authenticity of the findings as they are likely to be assessed as biased by the researchers own experiences or opinions (Hammarberg, Kirkman & de Lacey, 2016). These authors further postulate that in quantitative circles, qualitative research is viewed with suspicion and considered ‘light weight’ because it involves small samples which may not be representative of the broader population. Qualitative research is said to be more dynamic, than static.
This suggests that qualitative researchers limit their findings to the particular group of people being studied instead of generalizing it (Eyisi,2016). The author also states that replicability is another problem that is associated with the qualitative approach. It is believed that users of this approach write fiction because they have no means of verifying their true statements. Also since the approach is characterized by feelings and personal reports, it is believed that it cannot give reliable and consistent data when compared to using quantifiable figure. Finally the author claims that the non- use of numbers by qualitative researchers makes it difficult and impossible to simplify findings and observations.
3.3.2 Quantitative approach
Apuke (2017) suggests that research deals with at least a single question to a phenomenon. This implies that research exists as a result of answering a question about a phenomenon. For example, what are the attitudes of individuals towards state provided health care in KwaZulu Natal? Therefore research investigates such issues by critically collecting data, analyzing and discussing the results in order to draw conclusions. The questions of research could be: descriptive: How many people utilize public health facilities in KwaZulu Natal? How many hours do they spend at the health facilities on a single visit? Or the questions could be inferential: Does arriving early at the health facilities reduce the time spent in queues? Does reporting serious illness result in you being prioritized over other patients?
Quantitative research methods are concerned with collecting and analyzing data that is structured and can be presented numerically. The main goal is to present accurate and reliable measurements that allow for statistical analysis. It deals with data that can be measured and is highly operative in answering “what” or “how” of a given phenomenon. The questions in quantitative methods are direct, quantifiable and often contain phrases such as what percentage? What portion? To what extent? How many? How much? Etc. (Goertzoen, 2017) Quantitative methods emphasize on objective measurements and numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires or survey (Babbie, 2010). Quantitative research is said to be independent of the researcher, and as a result it is used to objectively measure reality. It creates meaning through the objectivity uncovered in the collected data.
The advantages of quantitative research include the fact that findings are likely to be generalized to the entire population, as the method involves large, randomly selected samples. Another advantage to note is that data analysis is far less time consuming as if often can be done using recent computer software (Rahman, 2017).
The disadvantages of quantitative research include the fact that the reliability of data is highly dependent on the quality of answers as well as the structure of the data collection tool, such as the survey. Also this type of research is very rigid and does not allow for any flexibility in the course of the data collection as well as other research stages. This method does not capture the emotions and behavior of the respondents, which can sometimes be interpreted as important in validating the verbal
responses given (Queirós, Faria & Almeida, 2017).
3.3.3 Mixed method design
Mixed methods research is the type of research in which a researcher combines elements of qualitative and quantitative research approaches for the broad purposes of breadth and depth of understanding and corroboration (Schoonenboom & Johnson, 2017). Mixed methods research is a research design or methodology in which the researcher collects, analyzes and integrates both qualitative and quantitative data in a single study or a multiphase program of inquiry (Johnson, Onwuegbuzie & Turner, 2020). According to Regnault et.al., (2018) mixed methods research allows a research question to be studied from different perspectives. The researcher is able to combine the rich subjective insights on complex realities from qualitative inquiry, with the standardized, generalizable data generated through quantitative research.
A critical strength of the mixed method research approach is that it typically capitalizes on data reflecting individual lived experience in the qualitative strand. This ensures that the results are considered from the patient’s perspective (Regnault, 2018). Theorists believe that this approach provides researchers with opportunities to compensate for inherent method weaknesses, on inherent method strengths and offset inevitable method biases. It enables a greater degree of understanding to be formulated that if a single approach were adopted (Almalki, 2016).
Challenges associated with the mixed method research include the issue of skills; It is critical that researchers are aware of their skills set and whether they are able to cope with the demands of utilizing a mixed methods approach (Almalki, 2016).