Dr. Sharon L. Bender
July, 2006
What is
Quasitative?
Quasitative
is a
term
most
often
used to
define a
mixed
application,
appearing
in a
variety
of
publications
and blogs
dating
back to
1949.
As
revealed
in the
literature,
the
general
purpose
in a quasitative
application
is to
express
its
relationship
to
quantitative
and
qualitative
inquiries
in a
kind of
mixed or
quasi
(self-styled)
approach.
As I
have
previously
published
in
January,
2005,
quasitative
inquiry
introduces a new
culture
of
inquiry.
Quasitative
involves
many
forms of
analysis.
Its
applications
might be
utilized
or
referred
to as,
but not
limited
to an
inquiry,
research,
or
approach. I have
explored
possible
quasitative
applications
in 2004
when I
first
conceived
the term
"quasitative"
as
creating
a
research
trio in
combination
with
quantitative
and
qualitative
approaches.
I have
since
developed
a
relative
trio of
epistemological
inquiries
called
Q3 Inquiries.
Further,
quasitative
and
related
approaches,
have
been
defined
and
explored
throughout
various
forms of
my work.
The
extrapolation
has been
one of a
plethora
of
problem-solving
concepts
stemming
from a
variety
of my
life
experiences,
such as,
but not
limited
to:
pattern
thinking,
triangulation
thinking,
team
leadership,
strategic
planning,
information
systems,
scholarly
writing,
and a
variety
of quasitative
sources.
Extrapolations
lead to
theories
and yet
more
questions.
For
instance,
when
examining
a matter
employing
my
first-hand
experience,
what the
research
literature
conveys
together
with
application
of my
interpretative
speculations,
I might
arrive
at a
conclusion
from
which to
produce
a valid
theory.
At that
point, I
would be
able to
open the
door to
further
investigations.
Quasitative
inquiry/research/approach
in a
trio of
epistemological
inquiries
has
produced
a
powerful
model
for a
variety
of
applications.
The
"trio of
inquiries"
known as
Q3
Inquiries
is a
model I
previously
developed
called
Research
Trio/Trilogy.
|
Figure 1. Quasitative Model |
|
The
evolution
of this
model
includes a new
name and
many new
applications. Quasitative
inquiry
is
little
by
itself,
but when
combining
quantitative,
qualitative,
and
quasitative
methodologies,
it has
clear
value
and it
enlists
expansive
application
in all
three
approaches.
Figure 1
depicts
the
quasitative
model in
which
its
relationship
in the
Q3
Inquiries
paradigm
demonstrates how
increased validity
is
achieved.
Theory
and
validity
are
polarized
perspectives
until a
mixed
design
is
employed.
|
Quasitative
has not
historically
been
used to
mean the
mix of
quantitative,
qualitative,
and
mixed
designs.
Quasitative
"is" a
mixed
design.
It has
been
used to
bring
more
qualitative
meaning
to
quantitative
data,
for
instance.
Conversely
quantitative
measures
can be
used to
bring
increased
validity
to
qualitative
data.
This
quasitative
research
approach
enables
more
robust
conclusions.
Quasitative
and
Roots of
Q3
Inquiries
My goal
statement
I
produced
in 1997
for
enrollment
into
ISIM
University's
Masters
of
Science
in
Information
Management
program,
provides
a
glimpse
into my
objectives.
One
objective
was to
develop
new
concepts
and
problem
solving
strategies.
Another
was to
be able
to
develop
a "big
picture"
understanding.
These
objectives
became a
reality
as I
have
published
a
plethora
of
concepts
dating
back to
their
development
in the
early
1990s.
The big
picture
was
formulated
when I
brought
"quasitative"
inquiry
into the
trio of
epistemological
inquiries
that I
call Q3
Inquires.
Quantitative
inquiry
enables
use to
measure
the
piece.
Qualitative
inquiry
enables
us to
observe
the
pattern.
Quasitative
inquiry
enables
us to
imagine
the
picture
that is
formed.
As I
published
in the ISPI
Journal,
Q3
Inquiries
enables
a
"big
picture"
approach
to all
investigative
(research)
endeavors.
In
Q3
Inquiries
we can
perform
piece,
pattern,
and
picture
analysis.
My goal
statement
also
states
on the
next
page
that
"planning
must go
beyond
serving
unmet
past and
present
needs,
it must
provide
for the
rapidly
changing
needs in
the age
of
information." This
philosophy
in my
goal
statement
represents
my
desire
to
examine
beyond
the
past
and
present,
but to
look to
the
potential
in
things
to come,
such as
in the
information
age,
which is
fast-evolving
and
ever-changing.
During
my
program
I read
several
books
that
were
future-scope
oriented.
This
again is
reflective
of my
futuristic
(potential-oriented)
thinking.
Sources
Quasitative
sources
found for
understanding
the
tenets
of
quasitative
inquiry/research/approach
are
listed
here.
These
all
share
the
common
theme,
to
express
a mixed
or quasi
relationship
among
implied
indices
and/or
to
express
a
relationship
between
and
among
quantitative,
qualitative,
and
quasitative
inquiries.
An
excellent
example
is the
article
concerning
three
online brainstorming
cases in
which
online
qualitative
research
revealed
a trend
toward
quasitative
solutions.
The
combination
of
online
surveying
(quantitative
input)
with
online
focus
groups
(qualitative
processing)
delivered
hard and
soft
data as
a
package
(quasitative
output).
In the
case of
Insurance-Trust,
"quasitative"
research
was used
to add
quantitative
information
to a
more
qualitative
research
undertaking.
These,
as well
as the
following,
are
consistent
applications
and
thereby
appropriate
examples
leading
to our
understanding
of the
quasitative
culture
of
inquiry:
Click
here
for a
list of
my publications
containing
quasitative
inquiry.
Visit the
Q3 Inquiries
Library.
