A500.7.3.RB_Manglona, Matthew-Napu Quantitative Research Reflection

A500.7.3.RB_Manglona, Matthew-Napu Quantitative Research Reflection

 

I look at quantitative research as something that I have experienced, read, and done in my educational endeavors. Compared to qualitative I better understand quantitative a little bit more because I have actually dealt with it more often than qualitative. Where qualitative aims at understanding, quantitative aims at explanation. I interpret quantitative as understanding as to why a certain phenomenon or study exists, based off the presentation.

I have used quantitative research in my career by trying to figure out number figures to better enhance the force structure in my organization. I was able to use data, comparisons, and conduct observations to obtain an answer to what I was looking for.  I had to figure out as to why certain soldiers were lacking certain online schooling (especially since they only come in once a month) which they can do at home as well and figure out a way to explain to my boss as to why they were lacking those specific schools. I established a survey and statistical record to have an explanation. I asked certain questions pertaining as to the reasons why they were not able to accomplish the task that was given to them. I think the flaw to my research however was just the lack of resources for my observation. It was difficult to understand the morale of the soldiers as a whole as each one of them had a unique way of expressing emotions and attitudes as to why they either could not or did not want to do it (i.e. PTSD, not caring, or other reasons) and input this into the data field.

 The end result being the time consumption and personal reasons (i.e family, school, other obligations) as to why they were not able to conduct the task then later coming up with a solution based off the survey and statistical analysis. I had to create this study for the command and present to our directorate of personnel. I ended up recommending to my commander that we provide these soldiers an appropriate time based off the consensus when will be a good time to accomplish the task as a whole.

Just like the qualitative research aspiration I look forward to using quantitative as well. I didn’t have a clue knowing the whole time I have conducted quantitative research (or at least I like to think I did) to continue to use this method for my career. My job at home requires me to figure out solutions for the organization and I believe that through social research I can accomplish any task that requires me to do just that (quantitative research). In my job my superiors require explanations to certain social phenomena that pertain to the Guam National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. Compared to qualitative I can use a quantitative research approach more to understand our personnel force structure in my organization.