RESEARCH METHODS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Research Methods in Business Management

Research Methods in Business Management

Task One

Summary

The paper discusses about the significance of qualitative study under the use of variables and the role of mathematics in the research venture. It aims to evaluate the performance of the students in their first year of Science, Engineering and (Technological) Mathematics. There is the part of the research that included interviews which elaborated the aims of factors affecting the findings. The article has discussed the implications of the education of mathematics in Ireland regarding the changes expected in future. The research has taken place in the University of Limerick (UL) that investigates the mathematical issues. This motive has been inspired by the publication of recent reports like “Statement on Raising National Mathematical Achievement”. This has highlighted the issues about the quality and capacity of work of the students to solve problems and make decisions within mathematical parameters. It also discusses the requirement to assess the 'gap' that is occurring in-between second level and third level mathematics. The research includes questionnaires and direct interviews with the students. Students were expected to have an influence of their past experience while experiencing their present times at schools (Keegan, 2009, pp.1-95).

The most popular research approaches used to make informed scientific decisions include qualitative and quantitative methods. Differences between quantitative and qualitative research lie in their approach to identification of the research problems and reviews of the literature. The two approaches have different strategies in specifying the purpose, data collection, data analysis, reporting, and evaluating research. In identifying a research problem, it is descriptive and explanatory for quantitative but exploratory for qualitative research. According to this research the sense of and enjoyment and value of math are two elements that work as motivation for students to have the courage and solve the mathematical problems. Here qualitative study was imperative to gauge the attitudes of the students. Researchers have to take the general beliefs about mathematics in mind since they influence the making of the students' attitudes; like and dislike for the subject. This is an effort to find about what factors are affecting the students' motivation and thoughts about adjusting with the transition from school/ college to university (Trauth, 2000, pp.1-100; King & Horrocks, 2010, pp.1-100).

Main Critique

Qualitative research is constructive initiative towards setting beginning stages of the study when the researchers really want to establish their thoughts on certain topic. It allows the researchers think and explore every single point in the study. It tends to accumulate descriptive and visual evidences which late after interpretation can be much more useful. It also establishes social links of the researchers with theories. Like in this case, the researchers could interview the students to gauge their attitudes towards mathematics and interpret the results against their requirements. Observations could have been made to collect as many hypotheses as possible. The concrete foundation can result in better execution of research procedure. Qualitative research is entirely ...