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RESEARCH QUALITY AND PLANNING 223 5 Histories are usually qualitative with sometimes some quantitative elements. 6 This is most likely to be a quantitative study, quantifying insulation levels in different types of construction. 7 This definitely sounds like a quantitative study if the intention is to compare statistical data on urban growth, i.e. rates and profile of growth. It could, however, concentrate on a comparison of the qualitative aspects of urban growth and the reasons for it. 8 This will need a quantitative approach to determine the scientific properties of the paints. 9 Design is much to do with quality, though some aspects of it can be measured quantitatively, e.g. size. 10 Productivity is a quantitative measure, and therefore requires a quantitative approach.
EXERCISE 6.4 1 Obviously it is impossible to give a direct answer to this question here; it is up to you to draw your own conclusions. However, have you considered the following? (a) Is the process shown as a linear progression or are data collection and analysis concurrent? Which will be appropriate in your study? Some qualitative approaches require a more evolutionary strategy with short feedback loops which connect data collection and analysis. (b) Do the proposals intend to test a hypothesis or look for a deeper understanding of a situation? The plan of action and type of output are greatly influenced by the aims of the research. 2 Only list those which might be relevant to your research plan, not those which are indicated in the various examples. Use this list for the tasks in the final section of this chapter.
EXERCISE 6.5 1 Tampering with medical records to support his claim to have performed a pioneering operation. He also pretended to have conducted extensive research trials into ovarian diseases. 2 Other obstetricians and gynaecologists might have tried to perform the same reputed operation with possible dangerous results, and have based treatments on the evidence put forward by the reputed research trials. 3 Several safeguards are there, but they are not, on their own, defence against fraud. Claims must be substantiated with accessible and reliable evidence (though as seen in the article, this evidence can sometimes be maliciously altered), and the research methods used must be open to scrutiny and repeatable (after several deaths, the success of the operation methods will be questioned!). While many types of experiment can be repeated without harmful effects, even if they are not successful, in medicine this is definitely not the case. 4 It is difficult to imagine how a ‘fraud squad’ could operate in a direct and active way without the inside help of members of the research community. As it appears to be a small (though perhaps important) problem with little obvious effects on society, general policing or detective work like that used in financial fraud is unlikely to be appropriate. However, a system which provides anonymous and discrete consultation with the ‘squad’ by researchers who suspect fraud within their department might alert the authorities to criminal activities. 5 The accusation is that Jung falsified documents which he used as evidence to support his argument. This is similar to the type of falsifying of which Mr Pearce was convicted. The