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Over the past 16 years, only two building permits for new housing construction h

ID: 3443770 • Letter: O

Question

Over the past 16 years, only two building permits for new housing construction have been issued in Sedgwick County, Colorado. This is consistent with the depopulation (particularly of younger persons) and economic diminution that is attributed to a declining rainfall since the 1970s. These are quantitative details. It is unclear how much of the depopulation was due to perceived opportunities elsewhere, to copycat or fad behavior, and to perceived change in local economic opportunity. Why is qualitative analysis more likely to identify the leading cause of Sedgwick County's out-migration than quantitative methods? Which characteristics of qualitative research most influenced your response to this question? Over the past 16 years, only two building permits for new housing construction have been issued in Sedgwick County, Colorado. This is consistent with the depopulation (particularly of younger persons) and economic diminution that is attributed to a declining rainfall since the 1970s. These are quantitative details. It is unclear how much of the depopulation was due to perceived opportunities elsewhere, to copycat or fad behavior, and to perceived change in local economic opportunity. Why is qualitative analysis more likely to identify the leading cause of Sedgwick County's out-migration than quantitative methods? Which characteristics of qualitative research most influenced your response to this question?

Explanation / Answer

Quantitative studies are focused on variables that can be quantified and measured accurately. In this scenario, depopulation due to economic diminution and declining population can be established in terms of numerical values and are therefore subject to statistical assessment. On the other hand, phenomenon such as perceived opportunities elsewhere, copycat or fad behaviour and perceived change in local economic opportunities are variables are cannot be directly measured. In fact, these can only be elicited as responses from the participants themselves and cannot be evaluated as numerical data. Thus, the qualitative methodology is best suited for this type of study as it allows to examine variables that cannot be directly measured but still have a significant impact on the area of interest. Qualitative methodology also captures a diverse and wide range of responses.