Principales Diferencias entre el Decreto 2649 de 1993 con respecto a la Sección 17 de las

Prunkun (2010, p.55) identified that there are two main types of research which are Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis, with a hybrid approach combining the two being possible in certain

circumstances. Prunkun stated that quantitative research can only be undertaken when the researcher has a measurement instrument or tool which can lead to observations. Prunkun identified that quantitative research is most applicable when there are large data sets that can be examined, there are previously developed and tested measurement tools that are applicable to the subject being evaluated and when the researcher is comfortable dealing with primarily numerical data.

Prunkun (2010, p.55-56) stated that qualitative data analysis has the potential to expand knowledge by suggesting tentative causal relationships. Prunkun explained qualitative data analysis as a process where the researcher will examine the data and form a judgement on relationships through a process of analysis. Prunkun (2010, p.56) stated that qualitative research was best used when the research is aimed around exploring ideas, behaviours and thoughts, with an in depth knowledge required on an issue or topic with very little published knowledge on a topic being available. 3.3 Five Type of Qualitative Research design

Bouma (2000, p.90) stated that there are five basic types of research design being the case study, the longitudinal study, the comparison study, the longitudinal comparison study and the experiment.

Page | 55 Bouma endorsed that the decision as to which research design to pursue needs to be related to the research question being asked.

Bouma (2000, p.91) stated that studying a single case or entity is studied is the best approach for answering a research question of “what is going on”. Chetty (1996, p.82) supported this and stated that Case Studies can be used to answer the how and why questions that may be the subject of research. In addition, Eisenhardt (1989a, p.534) stated that the case study when applied correctly was a research strategy which would allow an understanding of the dynamics present in a particular setting. This can also take the form of an exploratory case study which has the purpose of generating further research objectives for the future.

Bouma (2000, p.95) recommended conducting a longitudinal study for determining if there has been a change over time in certain variables. The longitudinal study involves the comparison of two or more case studies of the same entities with a period of time between the case studies.

Bouma (2000, p.98) stated that the comparison study is best for analysing the relationships between variables. This is done by comparing case studies of different entities with the focus on the

relationships between the variables being studied. This was supported by Chetty (1996, p.76) who stated that multiple case studies can be used to allow cross case comparisons to be made.

The longitudinal comparison study can be used to determine if the relationships between variables change over time (Bouma (2000, p.103)). This is done by conducting comparison studies and then conducting longitudinal studies on these to determine if there are changes in the relationships in the different entities being studied.

The last type of research design identified by Bouma (2000, p.107) was that of conducting experiments. This type of research design is used to determine the effect that a change in one variable has on another, usually designed around proving (or disproving) a hypothesis.

Bouma (2000, p.113) summarised the optimal choice of research design into a series of questions. If determining what is happening (and why) needs to be answered then a case study should be used. If the aim is determining if there has been a change in a variable then a longitudinal case study should be followed. When the aim is to determine if two variables are different then a comparison study should be undertaken. To determine if two variables are different over time then a longitudinal comparison should be undertaken. Finally, if the aim is to determine if an independent variable is causing a change in the entities studied over time then an experimental design should be followed.

Page | 56 3.4 The Case Study Explored

Philliber et. al (1980, p.63) stated that case studies should ideally have a sample size of one with the reason to do this being to examine the entity and variable being studied in as much detail as

possible. Philliber et. al (1980, p.64) explained that researchers can gain more depth and detail by analysing one case more thoroughly rather than spreading the same effort over multiple cases. Gray (2011, p.9) agreed by warning that as the number of cases are increased that there is a trade off with depth and breadth possible.

One limitation of the case study is that by having a sample size of one, the results cannot be generalised and as such results are dependent upon the case being studied (Philliber et. Al (1980, p.65)). As such it is possible any relationship observed in the case study analysed may only exist in that entity and may not be evident of the greater population. As such, having used only one case study means that relationships cannot be derived for the whole population with any certainty (Philliber et. Al (1980, p.66)).