Article Critique and Comparison Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Critique and Comparison - Article Example searchers often opt to use either quantitative or qualitative methods of research as a prelude to a more structured or comprehensive form of study in the future. In an article written by Mohamed, Conley & Yoo (1999) entitled â€Å"Perceptions of Child Care Centre Owners in Chicago: Implications for Public Policy† published in the International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, the authors delved into a quantitative method of research with the objectives of (1) estimating the supply and demand for day care centers (DCCs) in Chicago; and (2) identifying plans and perceptions of DCC owners in the city, specifically in areas of expansion and environmental barriers. The objective of this essay is to determine the kind of research method used and to proffer a critical analysis in terms of its appropriateness and applicability for the study. It aims to identify the kind of data collection used, method of gathering, and how results were used to draw aptly conclusions. The authors used the quantitative method of research which is more of a descriptive and nonproving compared to a qualitative approach. Data for quantitative approach are generally â€Å"checklists (check off behavior that is assigned a number)† (Observational Research, n.d., 21). This type of research method has large sample sizes, fewer special skills required to administer, utilizes questionnaires, among others. The article specifically explained the method used for the research, to wit: two sets of samples were obtained through random. The first set was formed to estimate the demand for DCCs in Chicago and samples were chosen from the Chicago White Pages telephone directory. There were 250 eligible responses validated through phone interviews given a set of standards for eligibility (respondent must have at least one child aged 13 or under). The second set was needed to solicit capacity utilization, expansion plans, and perception of owners of DCCs in Chicago. A list of licensed DCC was initially