Qualitative and Quantitative Research Analysis
Introduction
The essay will discuss two journals which show how qualitative and quantitative approaches are used to enhance good research methods. The journals discuss the effect of companion animals on the social life of the society. The first article by Phil Arkow shows how the companion animals are used and the effects they have on lives of Americans. This article outlines how a quantitative research can be used to show how companion animals and pets are viewed. The second article whose author is William O’Grady shows how youths in Canada view the companion animals and how the street life affects them psychologically and emotionally.
The first journal by Phil Arkow is an example of a quantitative research method. It portrays how companion animals affect the social life of the society in America. Social animals contribute to mental effects in the owners mind. The owners are used to those companion animals and prefer to stay with them at all times. Some companion animals from the findings are of economic important to the owners. Companion animals are also found in urban centers where they give company to their owners and are useful for economic purposes (Arkow, 2013, p.34). Companion animals from the findings are subjected to physical injuries and abuses from the owners. This is a negative treat for those animals since they have more benefits to the owners. The community is affected socially by causing harm to the animals. The population of social animals especially from the findings is that population is declining. This will cause negative social consequences to the affected communities who depend much on the companion animals for several social benefits (Arkow, 2013, p.34).
The second journal by William O’Grady is an example of a qualitative research method. The study which is qualitative in nature showed that street children and youth in Canada have many companion animals and pets. This is because they lack homes and parents thus turning to the companion animals for company (Lem et al 2013, p.287). The youth uses the companion animals for leisure and company since they lack shelters and parents. The research and findings show that a big percentage of youths who have companion animals are not in to drug and substance abuse. They spend most of their time with the companion animals which is a positive impact to the society. The findings show that the death of companion animals has negative consequences to the youth in terms of mental and psychological consequences (Lem et al 2013, p.287). The youths in Canada make choices of living with the companion animals since they give them a sense of belonging thus contributing a good health to the youths.
William O’Grady and Phil Arkow in their researches use interviews, questionnaires and face to face discussions with the affected communities. The research methods are thus advantageous since they cover a wide range of people. The research methods show the effects of companion animals in a detailed manner. This makes the research method valid for this research paper. William O’Grady qualitative research method shows that in New Zealand dogs are the most used companion animals. This is from a research done through interviews in different homes (Lem et al 2013, p.287). The women use dogs for company and security purposes. The qualitative research shows that women who do not have companions use dogs for company. The percentage of such women is 48% from the findings of the interviews conducted to many women who lack homes and companions (Lem et al 2013, p.287). The companion animals assist youths in Canada to avoid mental health problems such as depression. The animals give company to the youths whose minds are controlled by the animals. This is a positive impact to the society since depression and mental problems in street families are solved. In Texas groups are formed to conduct the research. The groups cover a wide range of street families to show the effect of companion animals in their lives. The study groups are advantageous since the street youths interact freely with their fellow youths conducting the research. The study groups’ realized that 60% of the homeless youths adored their companion animals as they provided love and security to them. This made them protect those animals (Lem et al 2013, p.286).
Phil Arkow in his quantitative research method used questionnaires and interviews to conduct the study. The research shows that human beings interact more with companion animals than other animals. Unlike in the qualitative paper, this paper does not cover a wide range of homes in America. It only focuses on a few homes which do not provide accurate information and conclusion towards the study of social impact of companion animals (Arkow, 2013, p.35). In his study again, Phil does not give the exact population of companion animals and the exact population of affected people from the interaction of human and animals. Communities from this research paper are seen to use companion animals for security purposes unlike in the other research paper where they are used to solve stress and mental problems. The quantitative research shows that companion animals are used for economic purposes. Different interviews done in American homes suggested that companion animals are used for economic purposes rather than solving mental problems (Arkow, 2013, p.34). This research shows that quantitative analysis emphasizes that cats, dogs, some reptiles and fish are the most companion animals in America. The study shows that many homes in America posses a single companion animal. This is from various surveys on the database used by pest management authorities. The companion animals are used mostly for purposes of market which in turn contributes to economic development (Arkow, 2013, p.34).
Both research methods provide accurate information based on how companion animals are used. The research papers outline the different uses of companion animals. The two journals are termed as accurate and valid since they use interviews, questionnaires and database for their research thus enhancing accuracy in their findings. Other alternative research methods are necessary to be used which are not used in these journals (Lem et al 2013, p.35). Modern technologies should also be used to enhance accuracy of information unlike in these two papers. The papers depend much on the survey and report from the government which takes time. Enhancing modern technology promotes accurate and reliable information.
Conclusion
From the above research paper, it is true to conclude that qualitative and quantitative research methods are used and valid in the sector of social sciences. Companion animals are described as useful animals in the society and contribute to positive impacts to the society. Both articles emphasize on the issue of companion animals and describe the population of those animals and how useful they are in a community. The articles are therefore valid for this particular research. Companion animals should therefore be protected as they are of help to different societies.
References
Arkow, P. (2013). 'The Impact of Companion Animals on Social Capital and Community Violence: Setting Research, Policy and Program Agendas', Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare, 40, 4, pp. 33-56, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 6 April 2014.
Lem, M, Coe, J, Haley, D, Stone, E, & O'grady, W 2013, 'Effects of Companion Animal Ownership among Canadian Street-involved Youth: A Qualitative Analysis', Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare, 40, 4, pp. 285-304, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 6 April 2014.
