Consider when, how and why researchers might use qualitative and quantitative approaches in their research with children and young people.

This  discussion will centre upon the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches in research on children and young people. It will begin with a brief explanation of exactly what is meant by the term qualitative and quantitative and offer examples of methods  that traditionally fit into each approach. This will be followed by using research to demonstrate when, how and why researchers choose either approach.

Quantitative and qualitative research methods have been employed within social research for many years and there are clear distinctions between the two approaches that are driven  by ontological and epistemological assumptions that inform the researcher how best to address certain research (The Open University, 2014).

The quantitative approach is centred on statistics, measurement and the control of variables  (The Open University, 2014).  The focus of control allows stu…(short extract)