Research Choices

Saunders et al. (2016) mentions that the common research choices in a business management study are quantitative or qualitative or the mixed methodology involving the combination of both methods.

5.10.1 Quantitative research

Collis and Hussey (2014) argues that some people prefer to take a quantitative approach to answering their research question thereby designing studies that involve collecting quantitative data and analysing it using statistical methods. In some instances, researchers do not collect new data but use statistics to analyse existing data from a database, archive or other published source.

Bryman and Bell (2015:727) define quantitative research as:

‘Quantitative research usually emphasizes quantification in the collection and analysis of data. As a researcher strategy it is deductivist and objectivist and incorporates a natural science model of the research process (in particular, one influenced by positivism), but quantitative researchers do not always subscribe to all three of these features.’

Quantitative research is generally associated with positivism especially when used with a known and highly rigid data collection technique. Quantitative research is usually associated with deductive approach where the aim is on using data to test theory. However it also incorporates an inductive approach, where data are used to develop theory (Saunders et al. 2016). Some of the characteristics of a quantitative research design is that it may use a single data collection method such as a questionnaire and a suitable quantitative analytical procedure. This approach is known as a mono method quantitative study, while a quantitative research design that uses more than one quantitative data collection technique and corresponding analytical procedure is known as a multi-method quantitative study (Saunders et al. 2016). Saunders et al. (2016) argue that quantitative research is usually associated with experimental and survey research strategies.

114 5.10.2 Qualitative research

Denzin and Lincoln (2011) argue that qualitative research is usually associated with an interpretive philosophy. It is interpretive due to the researchers need to understand the subjective and socially constructed meanings expressed about the phenomenon. Qualitative research is sometimes regarded as naturalistic since researchers need to interact with the natural setting or research context in order to establish trust, participation and have an in depth understanding (Saunders et al., 2016). Bryman and Bell (2015:727) define qualitative research as:

‘Qualitative research usually emphasizes words rather than quantification in the collection and analysis of data. As a research strategy it is inductivist, constructivist, and interpretivist, but qualitative researchers do not always subscribe to all these features.’

Yin (2014) argues that many forms of qualitative research start with an inductive approach to theory development where a naturalistic and emergent research is used to build theory or in order to develop a better theoretical perspective in the existing literature. However, some qualitative research strategies begin with a deductive approach to test an existing theory. Some characteristics of qualitative research is that it studies participants’ meanings and the relationship between them using different data collection methods and analytical procedures to develop a conceptual framework and theoretical contribution (Saunders et al. 2016). Bansal and Corley (2011) argue that while qualitative research is known by its methodological variants, it still remains vital irrespective of the method used to demonstrate methodological rigour and theoretical contribution. Saunders et al. (2016) argue that in a qualitative research data collection is non-standardized so that the questions and procedures may change and emerge during a research process that is both naturalistic and interactive. It is also likely to use non-probability sampling techniques. Qualitative research may use a single data collection method such as a semi-structured interview and a corresponding qualitative analytical technique which is known as a mono method qualitative study. Where it uses more than one qualitative data collection technique it is known as a multi-method qualitative study. The strategies used in a qualitative research are action research, case study, ethnography, grounded theory and narrative research.

The differences between quantitative and qualitative research are presented in Table 5.6

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Variables Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Research philosophy Generally positivism. Research strategies Associated with experimental

and survey research.

Action research, case study, ethnography, grounded theory and narrative research.

Table 5.6: Comparative Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative (Adapted from Saunders et al., 2016)

5.10.3 Comparative Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative

Corbetta (2003) identified four key areas of distinction by which qualitative and quantitative approaches can be compared and contrasted. These four areas are theory-research relationship, physical data collection, data analysis and production of results. However, some authors such as Hardy and Bryman (2004) have pointed out some of the similarities between qualitative and quantitative research as follows:

a. Both are concerned with data reduction. Both qualitative and quantitative research collect large amount of information and data. In quantitative research, they reduce the amount of data to make sense of it through a process of statistical analysis. While in qualitative data analysis, researchers develop concepts out of the rich data they have collected.

b. Both are concerned with answering research questions. Even though the kinds of questioned asked in a quantitative and qualitative research are usually different, they are both fundamentally concerned with answering questions about the nature of social reality.

c. Both are concerned with relating data analysis to the literature. Qualitative and quantitative research are all trying to relate their findings to themes, points or ideas thrown up by the literature relating to the research topic.

d. Both are concerned with variation. Both research approaches seek to find out variation

116 and then to represent the variation they uncover.

e. Both must address the question of error. In a quantitative research, error must be reduced as much as possible so that variation that is revealed is real variation and not the product with a problem on how the questions are asked of how the research instruments are administered. While in qualitative research, the researcher aims to reduce error by ensuring that there is compatibility between his or her concepts and the evidence that has been gathered.

Several Authors (Halfpenny, 1979; Bryman, 1988; Hammersley, 1992) have explored the differences between qualitative and quantitative by emphasising on some of the following issues:

a. Numbers vs Words: Quantitative research are most times associated with applying measurement procedures to social life while qualitative research often use words in the presentation of analyses of the society. However, qualitative researchers are also concerned with the analysis of visual data.

b. Researchers’ perspective vs Participant perspective: In quantitative study, the researcher is in control. The number of concerns they bring to an investigation defines the investigation. However, in qualitative research, the perspective of those being studied such as their important and significant views provides the point of orientation.

c. Unstructured vs Structured: Qualitative research is invariably structured in order to allow actors meanings and of concepts emerging out of data collection to be enhanced.

d. Natural settings vs artificial settings: Whereas qualitative researchers investigate people in their natural environment, quantitative researchers conduct their research in a contrived context.

e. Macro vs Micro: Quantitative researchers are often portrayed as involved in discovering large-scale social trends and connection between variables but qualitative researchers are often seen as concerned with small-scale aspects of social reality.

5.10.4 Selected Approach

The selected approach of this research is a qualitative approach using semi structured interviews, documentation and archival records; thus, a multi-method qualitative approach was adopted.

This is necessary because conducting research on cybercrime investigation in Nigeria requires

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accessing primary data administered through interviewing key stakeholders within the criminal justice system in Nigeria. Most of the data are not readily available through secondary means of data collection. Also, many laws, policies, and documents were reviewed and analysed in order to comprehensively compare the policing approaches between the UK and Nigeria.