Summary
Summary CSP4801 Assignment 8
- Course
- Honours Degree (CSP4801)
- Institution
- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
The document contains guidelines, examples, questions and answers on assignment 8 for CSP4801 Assignment 8
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Question 1Critically discuss quantitative and qualitative research. In your answer refer to a research method that
would exemplify qualitative and quantitative research. (Page 44).
Qualitative Research
Examples of this are case studies and ethnographies. This type of research uses words, dialogue,
events, themes, and images as data. Interviews and observations are key procedures. The goal is
not to discover general principles, but rather to explore specific situations or people in depth and to
understand the meaning of the events to the people involved in order to tell their story. Qualitative
researchers assume that no process of understanding meaning can be completely objective.
They are more interested in interpreting subjective, personal, or socially constructed meanings.
Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys – online surveys, paper
surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal
studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations.
For example, suppose a researcher intends to learn about the eating habits of teenagers. In that
case, he/she will follow a sample of teenagers over a considerable period to ensure that the collected
information is reliable. Often, cross-sectional survey research follows a longitudinal study
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research collects information from existing and potential customers using sampling
methods and sending out online surveys, online polls, and questionnaires.
Quantitative research is a research strategy that focuses on quantifying the collection and analysis of
data. It is formed from a deductive approach where emphasis is placed on the testing of theory,
shaped by empiricist and positivist philosophies.
Associated with the natural, applied, formal, and social sciences this research strategy promotes
the objective empirical investigation of observable phenomena to test and understand relationships.
This is done through a range of quantifying methods and techniques, reflecting on its broad utilization
as a research strategy across differing academic disciplines.
The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories,
and hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. The process of measurement is central to quantitative
research because it provides the fundamental connection between empirical observation and
mathematical expression of quantitative relationships.
Quantitative data is any data that is in numerical form such as statistics, percentages, etc. The
researcher analyses the data with the help of statistics and hopes the numbers will yield
an unbiased result that can be generalized to some larger population. Qualitative research, on the
other hand, inquires deeply into specific experiences, with the intention of describing and exploring
meaning through text, narrative, or visual-based data, by developing themes exclusive to that set of
participants.
Quantitative research is widely used in psychology, economics, demography, sociology, marketing,
community health, health & human development, gender studies, and political science; and less
frequently in anthropology and history. Research in mathematical sciences, such as physics, is also
"quantitative" by definition, though this use of the term differs in context. In the social sciences, the
term relates to empirical methods originating in both philosophical positivism and the history of
statistics, in contrast with qualitative research methods.
Qualitative research produces information only on the particular cases studied, and any more general
conclusions are only hypotheses. Quantitative methods can be used to verify which of such
hypotheses are true.
1
, Question 2
Using Maslow’s theory as your framework, consider different conditions of home and school that are
likely to affect the highest desires of people to satisfy their need for knowledge and understanding.
[50] (Page 474)
Maslow believed that people have the need to increase their intelligence and thereby chase
knowledge. Those are Cognitive needs, they are the expression of the natural human need to
learn, explore, discover and create to get a better understanding of the world around them. This
growth needs for self-actualization and learning, when not fulfilled leads to confusion and identity
crisis.
Schools can start focusing on developing students’ cognitive skills through age-appropriate physical
activities and brain exercises. Cognitive skills occupy a vital role in an individual’s overall
development, as they include some of the brain’s core functions such as thinking, reading,
learning, retaining information, and paying attention and are used to solve problems, remember
tasks and make decisions. All this affects the quality of our learning and performance.
Attention is one of the most important cognitive skills, attention enables us to process the
necessary information from our environment. People usually process such information through
our senses, stored memories, and other cognitive processes. Lack of attention inhibits and
reduces our information processing systems. Positive attention plays a major role in the
development of a positive self-image. Positive attention helps children internalize the messages
shared and helps them to develop confidence and the belief that they can achieve their dreams
and goals. People can consciously choose to focus their attention on what they truly value. They
will recognize the good in themself and others, teachers have to teach children what to do, and
generate more of the behaviours and outcomes you desire.
Memory is another cognitive skill that allows information recall — a student remembers the main
points of the previous week’s Science class, assuming that he/she paid attention to the
information in the first place. Thus, cognitive skills are inter-related. People’s long-term memory
is only effective if they are paying attention to a subject, and store the information in their short-
term memory, also known as working memory.
Logic and reasoning are also cognitive skills, that enable people to generate ideas and solve
problems by analysing, deducing necessary information and understanding them. This also
requires auditory processing, which means our brains blend, analyse, and segment information
we have heard or listened to. This cognitive skill helps students to listen and interpret the
information received. Strong visual processing skills allow us to formulate designs and make
sense of graphs and tables. Processing speed helps us perform tasks quickly and accurately.
This also becomes faster with the right understanding of the subject matter.
Cognitive skills are mental capabilities that are vital for students to learn effectively. They
complement each other to function effectively and determine the success of learning outcomes.
As most learning challenges are caused by inadequate cognitive skills, it is necessary to
question how we are enabling our future leaders to grow and what tools we can provide for their
growth.
Schools can start focusing on developing students’ cognitive skills through age-appropriate
physical activities and brain exercises. Research has established that certain chemicals released
during exercise stimulate neural connections and brain growth. In addition, they can try to
enhance children’s creativity and curiosity by exposing them to art, music, crafts, Sudoku,
crosswords, and more. This can significantly influence logic and reasoning skills. Another
important activity is interaction with the natural world around them so that they are in tune with it.
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