Qualitative Research Benefits

QUESTION:

What can qualitative research offer that quantitative methods cannot offer to support these public administration tasks: (1) plan, (2) solve problems, (3) support their decisions ?

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Qualitative Research Benefits

Qualitative research offers several advantages over quantitative methods in supporting public administration tasks such as planning, solving problems, and supporting decisions:

1. Planning:

   • Contextual Understanding: Qualitative research provides rich, detailed insights into the social and cultural contexts that quantitative methods may overlook. This helps public administrators understand the nuances and complexities of issues, which are essential for effective planning.
   • Exploration of Perspectives: It allows for the exploration of diverse stakeholder perspectives, including those who may be marginalized or underrepresented in quantitative data, ensuring that planning efforts address the needs of all affected groups.

2. Solving Problems:

   • Uncovering Root Causes: Qualitative research can identify underlying causes of problems by capturing participant experiences, motivations, and attitudes, offering deeper understanding that goes beyond surface-level data.
   • Flexibility in Problem Identification: Unlike structured quantitative methods, qualitative research allows for flexibility in how problems are framed and investigated. This adaptability is especially useful in complex or emerging situations that require novel approaches.

3. Supporting Decisions:

   • Rich Descriptions for Decision Making: Qualitative data provides in-depth, narrative descriptions that can help administrators make more informed decisions by contextualizing quantitative data within real-world experiences.
   • Understanding Human Behavior: It helps public administrators understand the human and social aspects of the issues at hand, such as how individuals or communities might respond to
     1. • a policy or program, providing a more holistic view to guide decisions.

     In sum, qualitative research enhances the decision-making process by offering deeper insights into human behavior, cultural contexts, and complex social phenomena, which quantitative methods alone may not…