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Qualitative Research Article Critique “Emerging Practices and Perspectives on Big Data
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QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ARTICLE CRITIQUE
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to analyze and critique a qualitative research article
on “Emerging Practices and Perspectives on Big Data Analysis in Economics: Bigger and
Better or More of the same?” by Taylor, Schroeder, and Meyer. The analysis will focus on
the research procedure utilized in the article by examining the problem statement, research
objectives, research questions, the methodology used, and data collection techniques, analysis
of the findings and how the findings are used to support or refute the research objectives.
Qualitative research involves the use of in-depth investigation of a scenario by the researcher
for clear understanding the occurrences or phenomena from the perspective of the
participants (Nollaig, 2011). The qualitative research follows a logical process for gathering
data, interpreting the findings and forming a conclusion. This research method is subjective
and does not rely on statistical data to form a conclusion hence the findings cannot be
Problem Statement
The researcher provides a concise narrative of the issues that will be addressed in the
study. The problem statement is directly related to the research questions, and the study will
seek to find the solutions to these problems. According to Fischer (2011), problem statement
has a crucial role in qualitative research because it directs the researchers on what data to
collect and channel their efforts in the right direction. In the ‘Emerging Practices and
Perspectives on Big Data Analysis in Economics: Bigger and Better or More of the same?’
The authors have stated the objectives of the study and problem statement in the introduction
section in which they have expressed the concern over the increasing use of Big Data as a
source of information especially in economics (Taylor et al., Nd.). The study has stated many
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advantages of Big Data to the economists, but due to complexity or lack of clarity of
definition of the Big Data, there has been sparse utilization by the most economist that could
result in increased opportunity cost for the economists not using the Big Data. Therefore, this
article has provided the introduction, objectives of the study and the problem statement with
required precision.
The qualitative research is purposive in the sense that it aims at examining the
interaction between the subject matter and participant of the study (Fischer, 2011). There is
no statistical data required in qualitative research, and so the researcher describes the
characteristics. The purpose of the study gives meaning to the effort utilized in the study by
the participants and helps in solving the research questions. It forms the basis of the data
required and the methods that will be applied to the study. In this article the researcher has
stated various purposes for conducting the research. The identified purposes were; to examine
the characteristics of Big Data, examine the rationale for approach use in the adoption of Bi
Data, the challenges for interpreting and accessing the Big Data (Taylor et al., Nd.). The
qualitative research gathers information to affirm the established theories or describe the
Methods Used
The qualitative research utilizes various techniques to generate and analyze data. The
most common research methods include focus groups, in-depth interview, case studies and
participant observation, shadowing, ethnography, grounded theory, etc. (Taylor et al., Nd.).
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The researchers collect data using various techniques such as field notes, observation of the
participants, audiotapes and videotapes, journals, logs, direct or non-direct observation, and
so on. The methods used for research is very critical because it determines the quality of the
outcome hence the applicability of the results (Sensing, 2011). Researchers should also take
great concern for ethical issues during research activities by ensuring confidentiality,
anonymity, and privacy of the data and the participants (Tracy, 2012). Also, researchers can
affect the quality and reliability of the data by trying to influence the outcome. It is for this
reason that researchers are supposed to assume and a passive role in the study.
The methods used must specify how the data was collected, the participant or
population and techniques for data analysis (Wallace & Fleet, 2012). The advantage of
qualitative research is that it mainly uses open-ended questions which are a more flexible in
that it offers respondents an opportunity to express their feelings about the subject matter
(Nollaig, 2011). However, the researcher must ensure the participants are well versed with
the questions asked and the expected responses. The interviews with the participants and
analyses of the results are conducted progressively whereby one analysis prompts the
This research article focused on the economists as the participants of the study. The
researcher conducted a series of in-depth interviews with the selected participant accountants
who had experience working with the Big Data and scientist who had experience working in
the field of economics or business to determine the issues, challenges, and benefits of using
Big Data. The study conducted by over a period of two years involved 125 participants with a
background in social science (Taylor et al., Nd.). The researchers used semi-structure
interview questions to obtain information from the interviewee regarding their experience
with the Big Data, tools, and skills they use to work and gain access to that data. According
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to Tracy (2012), a semi-structured interview is a formal interview in which the interviewer
uses pre-arranged questions to guide them through the interview process. The interviewer and
interviewees are engaged in a formal discussion in which the interviewer seeks to obtain
responses to the series of the question set in the interview guide. This form of interview
enables the researcher to cover relevant areas of the study by following the questions
systematically (Sensing, 2011). The semi-structured interview is also effective when used
alongside other methods such as observation, and the open-headed questions guide the
Apart from the interviews the researchers also obtained additional information from
desk research; personal observations made through attending the conferences and various
fora, scientometrics and individual engagement of the researchers in research in that locality
(Taylor et al., Nd.). The sampling techniques of the participating economists and social
scientists were carried out using purposive sampling targeting the respondents involved in
Big Data. This is not a statistical method, but is relevant in qualitative sampling because the
experience is personal and subjective thus essential for this exploratory research (Wallace
& Fleet, 2012). Furthermore, the responses of the participant’s social scientists and
economists would be adequate to establish the challenges, issues, inspiration and approaches
experienced by the economists and offer guidance for future practices in the relevant field.
The researchers stated the two research questions to guide the study in the
methodology section. These research questions focused on establishing the purpose for which
the Big Data was used and the second was to determine the type of economic or the other
knowledge the research was contributing to (Taylor et al., Nd.). While research questions are
very crucial for an excellent research process, stating the research questions in methodology
section seems improper. The research questions usually come after problem statement to
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offer the researchers with a broad focus on the problem and provide a guideline to their
research work (Sensing, 2011). Since research questions determine the size and scope of the
data required for the research, it would be appropriate for the researchers to state the guiding
Participants
The participants of qualitative research are the human subjects who are the targets of
observation. The researchers observe the participants as they continue with their usual way of
doing things to obtain the relevant information required to answer the research questions. The
participants used for this study involved 125 economists and experts in the matters of social
science (Taylor et al., Nd.). The participants were engaged in the research for two years
during an on-going research project sponsored by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation using semi-
structured interviews. The researchers also participated in the research process through
Measures
objectives. The first measure was to determine the size and scope of data that qualifies it Big
Data (Taylor et al., Nd.). The focus was on the size and complexity of the data that
determines whether the data can classify as Big Data. Apart from the size and complexity, the
ease of data accessibility was also considered as an important measure for classification of
data. Large data are easily accessible to the economists and social scientists.
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The researcher also considered the reasons for economists to adopt Big Data. The
measures considered were whether accessibility of the data was the reason for its adoption
(Taylor et al., Nd.). Also, consideration was taken regarding how the data is implemented
Another measure was regarding the challenges economists and social scientists
encounters when coding the Big Data. When there is too much complex data even the use of
statistical tools used by the economists to decipher information from the data becomes
ineffective (Taylor et al., Nd.). Therefore, the extent of the challenges faced by economists
and social scientists when coding data from various sources and applying it to day-to-day
activities was considered the essential measure for determining Big Data.
Finally, the ease of accessing data from their sources was also used as a parameter for
determining Big Data. The consideration for individuals and corporate levels were given
whereby at individual levels senior researchers may have an influence on what data they can
access hence they may have access to Big Data than the junior researchers (Taylor et al.,
Nd.). Similarly, gaining access to corporate data could be difficult regardless of their size.
Therefore, such information can be classified as Big Data because it may be available to
As with any other qualitative research, the respondents in this study expressed their
views based on personal experience with the data they use on day-to-day activities. Some
were of the view that the term Big Data was new while others had known about for a long
time. The study provided answers to various research questions and objectives. It established
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that Big Data have challenges to the economist and social scientists because they are not
easily accessible (Taylor et al., Nd.). Also, they are difficult to code while some data are
presented using computer code and this can be understood by computer science experts only.
However, despite the challenges of accessing and understating the Big Data, the Data is
enhancing the knowledge of economists because they can easily observe the trend of data and
use analytical skills to make important predictions. Furthermore, the extent to which Big Data
will benefit the economists depends on whether it will increase or hinder the accessibility of
important data by all economists (Taylor et al., Nd.). The study established that most
economists have access to Big Data, and if all economists have access to Big Data equally
then Big Data will create a benefit to the economist by offering new ways of thinking.
The researchers did not develop an elaborate literature review. A literature review is
crucial in any research including qualitative research because it examines the related previous
researchers and established theories which apply in the current study (Nollaig, 2011). This
assessment of previous research work by other researchers helps the current researchers to
avoid duplication of the work that has already been. Also, it provides a clear conduit and sets
the direction for the current research and helps to build on the research objectives and helps
in identifying the research gaps that need to be filled current research (Tracy, 2012).
Furthermore, the findings of the study are not clearly presented since they are forming part of
the research methodology. Therefore, the researchers should have provided an elaborate
literature review to support their research and organize the study in a way that is easy to
study.
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Conclusion
The research article has well-established research objectives, problem statement, and
research questions. The research method provided the techniques for collecting and
presenting data. Observation and in-depth interview were used as well as structure
questionnaire. The study has established that Big Data has both challenges and benefits to the
economists depending on the extent to which they can access and code it to get meaningful
statistical information. The ease of accessibility of Big Data will influence the efficiency of
the economists. The researcher should have a clear literature review and presentation of the
Taylor, L., Schroeder R. & Meyer, E. (Nd.). Emerging practices and perspectives on Big Data
analysis in economics: Bigger and better or more of the same?
Wallace, D.P. & Fleet, C.J.V. (2012). Knowledge into Action: Research and Evaluation in
Library and Information Science: Research and Evaluation in Library and
Information Science. U.S.A.: ABC-CLIO.