The qualitative research study examined involves finding a deeper meaning of targeted events, groups or people. Qualitative research is an exploratory type of research used in a study where we do not know what to expect. The research is qualitative as it defines the problem or creates an approach to the problem ( Livingstone et al., 2011) . Data is usually collected from small non-randomized focus groups. Methods of data collection include focus groups, triads, dyads, in-depth interviews, uninterrupted observation, bulletin boards and ethnographic observations. Quantitative research is a conclusive type of research. It involves generalization of the whole population characteristics based on the results of the sample ( Nardi, 2018) . Methods of quantitative data collection include surveys, audits, longitudinal studies, online polls and systematic observations. The data report on quantitative analysis can be done using confidence intervals and test statistics. These two different types of study will demonstrate further when to use qualitative or quantitative research.
The first study is about safe internet usage which was conducted in 29 different countries in Europe where data was collected by administering questions to adults who had children below 18 years living in their households. The purpose of this study was to find the general perception of child’s behavior regarding internet usage ( Nardi, 2018) . They were asked various questions about child internet usage. The second type of research was based on involving the children directly by asking them questions about internet usage, performing uninterrupted observation on how the youngsters use the internet . The purpose of this study was to find how children use the internet and their behaviors related to internet usage ( Livingstone et al., 2011) . The first study is a quantitative type of study because the research did not involve focus group directly; instead, the overall conclusion was drawn from adult’s perception of the children internet usage. The results had same general perception as it would have in any different group or population. It provides a comparable data about internet usage. The second study is a qualitative type of study since it directly assesses the children’s behavior regarding internet usage. In this study, children’s internet usage is regarded with much possible openness. No thesis is formulated before getting in contact with the children.
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The two types of research serve a general purpose of internet safety usage among children. The main goal is to find how internet usage affects children behavior. Therefore the main variable in both studies is internet usage and children behavior. Since child’s behavior is affected by internet usage, internet usage becomes independent variable while child’s behavior becomes dependent variable ( Livingstone et al., 2011) . Analysis of both studies required graphs. The first study utilizes histograms since they are based on grouped data while the second study utilizes line graphs because they are focused on specific individuals or groups ( Nardi, 2018) . Review of the data collected in each study helps in realizing how the data collected is relevant to the area of study. It shows if the data collected solves the problem or purpose of each study.
References
Livingstone, S., Haddon, L., Görzig, A., & Ólafsson, K. (2011). Risks and safety on the internet: the perspective of European children: full findings and policy implications from the EU Kids Online survey of 9-16-year-olds and their parents in 25 countries.
Nardi, P. M. (2018). Doing survey research: A guide to quantitative methods . Routledge.
