Through presentation of two case studies, this article illustrates just how ambiguous and misleading results from quantitative studies can be if not supplemented by qualitative data. The focus is on the salvaging power of qualitative methods and their ability to ensure some return on an investment that might otherwise be partially or completely lost.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Conboy, J. E. (1986). Goal awareness and self-efficacy as determinants of the constructive effects of failure. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Iowa, Iowa City.
2.
Fielding, N. G. , & Fielding, J. L. (1986). Lining data. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
3.
Kacer, B. , Weinholtz, D., & Rocklin, T. (1991). The impact of small group instruction upon attitude and achievement of students' learning computer applications. Computers in the Schools, 8, 357-360.
4.
Lofland, J. (1971). Analyzing social settings. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
5.
Miles, M. , & Huberman, M. (1984). Qualitative data analysis. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
6.
Parlette, M. , & Hamilton, D. (1972). Evaluation as illumination: A new approach to the study of innovative programmes. Occasional Paper 9, Center for Research in the Educational Sciences, University of Edinburgh.
7.
Reichardt, C. , & Cook, T. (1979). Beyond qualitative versus quantitative methods. In T. Cook & C. Reichardt (Eds.), Qualitative and quantitative methods in evaluation research (pp. 7-32). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
8.
Smith, J. K. , & Heshius, L. (1986). Closing down the conversation: The end of the quantitative-qualitative debate among educational inquirers. Educational Researcher, 15(1), 4-12.
9.
Webb, N. M. (1984). Microcomputer learning in small groups: Cognitive requirements and group processes. Journal of Educational Psychology, 76, 1076-1088.
10.
Weinholtz, D. , Albanese, M., Zeitler, R., & Everett, G. (1989). Effects of individualized observation with feedback on attending physician clinical teaching. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 1(3), 128-134.
11.
Weinholtz, D. , Everett, G., Albanese, M., & Shymansky, J. (1986). The attending round observation system: A procedure for describing teaching during attending rounds. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 9, 75-89.
12.
Weinholtz, D. , Albanese, M., Zeitler, R., Everett, G., & Shymansky, J. (1986). Effective attending physician teaching: The correlation of observed instructional activities and learner ratings of teaching effectiveness. In Proceedings of the Twenty-fifth Annual Research in Medical Education Conference (pp. 273-278). Washington, DC: Association of American Medical Colleges.
