Which quantitative method or methods are used in the paper? Which are the benefits and limitations of using these methods?
The quantitative method the authors use is by using an online survey to determine how nonusers and SNS users differ in different social capital dimensions. The survey was sent to representatives of the online population in Norway in the 15- to 75-year age group, gender, and education. The survey was sent out using various means (including telephone, websites, newsletters, and face-to-face surveys). The study consisted of three “survey waves”, one per year. Meaning the same respondents were to participate once per year for three consecutive years. They started out with 2000 respondents, but the number that responded to all three surveys was only 35% of the total number of people. Apparently such a big amounts of drop-outs is expected is such surveys. Since they sent the surveys to representatives of the online population in Norway’s they could check if the drop-outs belonged to a certain group or if it could be regarded as a coincidence through statistics. Their conclusion is that it most likely doesn’t affect the results. The benefits of a online survey is that it’s easy to reach out to the respondents and it can collect results pretty quick (if the people taking the survey answers as soon as they can. However there are of course limitations. One can not be entirely sure that the person claiming to answering the survey actually is. Also the survey type could be more suitable to some groups than others.
What did you learn about quantitative methods from reading the paper?
From reading this paper I have learned that online surveys can have a substantial dropout rate but that even though the dropout rate is rather big, you can still draw conclusions by doing statistical analysis and cross-referencing with other studies.
Which are the main methodological problems of the study? How could the use of the quantitative method or methods have been improved?
I think the biggest problem, which I mention earlier, is that this study is suppose to cover Norway’s total demographic, but its method (online surveys that are sent through e-mail) of achieving this suits some groups better than others. This would mean that some groups become over represented. I doubt that the dropouts are completely random and that some groups are more likely to drop out than others. One could approach different groups differently and in a way that suits that particular group in a better way.
Read the following paper written by Ilias Bergström and colleagues. Reflect on the key points and what you learnt by reading the text. Also, briefly discuss the questions below.
I found the paper by Ilias and his colleagues very interesting. I found a bit odd actually that this paper is almost entirely based on quantitative data when the objective is to investigate behaviors and how we can perceive ourselves in a Virtual Reality - an investigation I would spontaneous think would be based on qualitative data. The paper does mention that they conducted semi-structured interviews after each test, but they are not used to support their discussion or conclusion. Instead focus lays on the quantitative data, such as the movement data and the post-experiment questionnaire. I understand if the authors made this choice to have as objective and measurable data as possible, but since they are investigating behavioral change it feels like there could have been more focus on qualitative data. Otherwise there is a chance that some of what the test persons experienced was lost in the quantitative data.
I found the paper by Ilias and his colleagues very interesting. I found a bit odd actually that this paper is almost entirely based on quantitative data when the objective is to investigate behaviors and how we can perceive ourselves in a Virtual Reality - an investigation I would spontaneous think would be based on qualitative data. The paper does mention that they conducted semi-structured interviews after each test, but they are not used to support their discussion or conclusion. Instead focus lays on the quantitative data, such as the movement data and the post-experiment questionnaire. I understand if the authors made this choice to have as objective and measurable data as possible, but since they are investigating behavioral change it feels like there could have been more focus on qualitative data. Otherwise there is a chance that some of what the test persons experienced was lost in the quantitative data.
Which are the benefits and limitations of using quantitative/qualitative methods?
Quantitative methods are good to use when performing research were the number correspondents needed to investigate something is rather high. The output data is more measurable and can be compared much easier. One can also use statistical methods and see if there are patterns. The negative part is that important details can be left out.
Qualitative methods are good to use when the question one hopes to answer is complex. Methods can give you a deeper understanding and lead to interesting side tracks. However, qualitative methods requires more time and funds. It’s also much easier for the one conducting the experiment/test to stay objective during qualitative methods.
Hi Alexis!
SvaraRaderaFirst of all, good job with this weeks theme, I think your reflections are good, and you seemed to be interested in the paper you've read. I do however have some questions for you: You've written "Apparently such a big amounts of drop-outs is expected is such surveys" when talking about how only 35% of the total number of people actually participated in the survey. Who says this? I think it's important to be clear of what reference you're using at all times. Another thing I was wondering was how you've chosen what key words to highlight? Some of them are a bit confusing to me...
Anyhow, good luck with the last theme!