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Question

Qualitative researchers criticize quantitative research for its tendency towards:

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2018 Paper 1 Question Paper (8-Jul-2018)
The correct answer is

Reductionism

In the context of qualitative vs. quantitative research, these two methodologies are often contrasted due to their differing approaches to understanding social phenomena.

Quantitative research is often criticized for its tendency towards reductionism. This criticism arises because quantitative research seeks to translate social phenomena into numerical data and often focuses on measurable, observable elements. In doing so, it may overlook the complexity and richness of human experience which qualitative research captures.

Here's a breakdown of the options provided:

  1. Reductionism: This refers to the simplification of complex phenomena into basic components. Quantitative research often reduces social phenomena to numerical data, limiting interpretation to statistical analysis. This criticism aligns with the qualitative research perspective, which emphasizes the depth and complexity of social phenomena.
  2. Emphasis on Evidence: While quantitative research does emphasize evidence, this is not the primary criticism by qualitative researchers. Instead, the emphasis can be a strength, depending on the context.
  3. Obsession with Creativity: This option does not typically relate to criticisms of quantitative research; rather, it's the lack of creativity due to the structured nature of quantitative studies that can be criticized.
  4. Focus on Empiricism: Although quantitative research is empirical, relying on data and observable evidence, this focus isn't inherently criticized; it's the reductionist approach to handling data that is contentious.

In conclusion, the criticism from qualitative researchers is primarily aimed at the reductionism aspect of quantitative research. By focusing on numerical data, quantitative methods might exclude the emotional, social, and cultural context of the phenomenon being studied.

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