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The success of the process of conducting research is largely based on the methods used to gather the information and the interpretation of resources available. In order to achieve a high degree of accuracy as well as to guarantee the substantial nature of the research process, the use of special research methods such as the quantitative and qualitative analysis is vital. However, these two methods have both advantages and limitations and, depending on the way in which these methods are used, they can provide various results.

The present paper considers the two methods of analysis as applied to a case study. In the first part, it discusses the two methods from a theoretical point-of-view. Quantitative and qualitative research are rather different in the sense that they provide different perspectives of analysis: while quantitative research focuses on providing information that supports a pre-established theory, qualitative research gathers all type of information, from as many sources as possible and taking into account as many perspectives as necessary to ensure a holistic approach to the subject, and then elaborates a theory based on interpretation of information acquired and their establishment into a coherent background. Examples for both types of research will be provided to better illustrate the way in which the two can be utilized and their shortcomings and strengths. In this sense, for quantitative research, the case of Greece accession into the Eurozone is essential to point out the role statistics, as a crucial resource of information for quantitative research can be taken into account and if not considered properly, provide a different result that the real one. For qualitative research, the case of Sudan, as one of the largest countries in the world, is significant to point out that without a holistic research conducted on the issue, an interpretation can lead to mixed conclusions or theories, reason for which it is crucial to have as many information and knowledge as possible to avoid misinterpretation and thus limit the effects of subjective analysis and research.

The second part of the paper, these two methods are used to provide an applied case study in order to point out that depending on circumstances, the two methods of research are prone to failure if the information gathering process is flawed.

Part one: quantitative and qualitative methods of research

Quantitative method of research

There are many definitions to point out the most important aspects of quantitative research. One academic definition considers "Quantitative research is an inquiry into an identified problem, based on testing a theory, measured with numbers, and analyzed using statistical techniques. The goal of quantitative methods is to determine whether the predictive generalizations of a theory hold true." (Creswell, 1994) There are several aspects to be taken into consideration in this definition. On the first hand, quantitative research considers the issue of research based on an already established theory that needs verification or data input. In this case, quantitative research views the research process as a means of gathering information with an already path set and a direction based on a theory that needs enforcement.

On the other hand, the use of quantitative methods of research take into account a more objective environment, in most cases an analysis of the data that can be verified and not necessarily interpretable. More precisely, "Quantitative research is empirical research where the data are in the form of numbers." (Hughes, 2012) Therefore, at the same time, the means and working tools for quantitative research most often are the statistics available. This type of research is much more objective in nature largely because it aims to provide information that is not mediated by interpretation of human experience. It tends to reflect the actual nature of the data available and the numbers usually are constructed in the form of statistics.

An important aspect that needs to be taken into account when discussing the issue of quantitative analysis is related to the actual purpose of the utilization of this method. Clearly, when making use of one method or another, the results may appear to be different. More so, when communicating information gathered or acquired through quantitative analysis, although the information may be correct, they can be tailored in such a manner as to suit a particular purpose.

The fact that quantitative research is related to a pre-ordained theory is essential. More precisely, statistics about different areas of a national economy for instance can be gathered in such a manner as to ensure a certain result without deviating from the accuracy of the information. This is largely due to the fact that, as in most cases, information can be analyzed separately and independent or other data in order to suit a certain purpose. A clear example in this sense is the admission of Greece in the Eurozone in 1999 based on faulty statistical information. More precisely, the issues raised after the discovery of the misinterpretation of the Greek statistical information were related to the way in which data was collected and interpreted. In this sense, "Greece's faulty figures have provoked a debate in Brussels over the power that should be given to the EU's statistical agency, Eurostat, to check financial data declared by governments. Big countries, including the UK, are resisting efforts to give the agency new, supervisory, powers over national statistical bodies." (Howden and Castle, n.d.) This is not to say that the Greek government provided false information to Eurostat, the European statistical body, but that, taken separately, statistical information can serve one purpose or another.

A crucial element in a proper construction of a quantitative research process is related to the actual process of data collection. In this sense, there are several aspects to take into account in order to avoid the use of this method in a tailored made fashion. More precisely, in order to determine a clear objective nature of the research process, the research and process in itself must consider multiple indicators largely because "Single indicators may incorrectly classify many individuals/firms; single indicators may capture only a portion of the underlying concept or be too general; multiple indicators can make finer distinctions between individuals/firms; multiple indicators can capture different dimensions of a concept." (Week 6, Quantitative research, 2012) More precisely, this aspect can be translated into considering more sides of one issue. That is, for instance, when analyzing the unemployment rate of a country, and in particular of European countries, the research conducted must take into account both the statistics that point out the current unemployed population that benefits at the time of the research of unemployment assistance as well as the population or individuals that no longer benefit from unemployment aid but are still without a job. These two indicators may provide a more accurate account of the actual unemployment rate in one country.

Qualitative methods of research

By comparison, qualitative research is of a more complex nature. In this sense, "qualitative process of inquiry has the goal of understanding a social or human problem from multiple perspectives. Qualitative research is conducted in a natural setting and involves a process of building a complex and holistic picture of the phenomenon of interest." (Mason, 1996) As in the previous section, there are certain aspects to be taken into account. Therefore, on the one hand, it must be pointed out that the research process in itself is lengthier and more complex through the actual information that can be identified as input for the research. There are more information needed in order to conduct a qualitative research simply because this type of research needs to take into account a more varied number of perspectives. Compared to the quantitative research method which takes into account only the information needed to support a pre-defined theory, the qualitative research develops a theory as a result of the research.

On the other hand, the success and efficiency of the research process is determined by numerous aspects, which are determined by the variety of the resources and perspectives analyzed. At the same time, the complex nature of the research process is also provided by the combination of different factors that do not take into account only numbers and statistics but rather consider a linkage and interdependent nature between different aspects of research. More precisely, the qualitative research is a multifaceted process because it follows on a combination of items. These include, "Inductive view of relationship between theory and research; theories and concepts emerge from the data; Interpretivist epistemology; Constructionist ontology; Emphasis on words/text rather than numbers; Diversity of approaches." (Week 4, Qualitative research design, 2012)

One of the most important aspects to be considered in discussing the issue of qualitative research is the role played by interpretation in the process. In this sense, "Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with collecting and analyzing information in as many forms, chiefly non-numeric, as possible. It tends to focus on exploring, in as much detail as possible, smaller numbers of instances or examples which are seen as being interesting or illuminating, and aims to achieve 'depth' rather than 'breadth'." (Hughes, 2012) Interpretation is the tool through which the information gathered, through different means of research, is put together and set in a wider framework for analysis. Unlike other methods of data gathering, precisely because of the role interpretation plays, qualitative analysis cannot be conducted without the background from which the information was taken. This necessity ensures a much more coherent flow of research through qualitative methods and, at the same time, a higher degree of risk, as interpretation is, in its turn, a subjective, rather than objective tool for analysis.

This type of process is rather difficult to undergo because it needs to take into account a more significant number of sources and research paths. This is largely because qualitative research cannot be conducted outside its environment and in this case, such an environment must be identified and understood as best as possible because it represents the reference point of the interpretation of the information gathered.

A proper example in this case is for instance provided by the statistics and analysis of national economies. In this sense, it can be assumed that oil rich countries are inevitably rich or have the proper means to finance their development. However, Sudan, is a clear example that the background needed for eventually interpreting the information is crucial. In this sense, "In 2010, Sudan was considered as the 17th -- fastest -- growing economy in the world given the rapid development of the country -largely from oil profits, despite international sanctions. Due to the secession of South Sudan, the economic forecast for the country in 2011 and beyond, remains uncertain as more than 80% of Sudan's oil fields exists in the southern part of the country" (UNDP Sudan, 2012). The ranking in this case may appear very favorable for the country. However, at the same time however, statistics point out that more than 19% of the population is unemployed and the Human Development Index places Sudan on the 154th place in 2010, dropping four places from the previous year (UNDP Sudan, 2012). If these last statistics had been taken into account separately, a research study would have assumed that Sudan's economy is going through a severe crisis and the country is on its way to bankruptcy. However, the general economic development background in 2010 points out that these statistics may change given the good ranking in terms of economic development achieved in 2010. Therefore, taking these two aspects into account, in fact, it can be interpreted that Sudan's economy is recovering in terms of macro economic indicators and that a more sustainable development process must be set in place in order to ensure that the positive effects of macro economic growth are also visible at the level of the population.

Given the fact that qualitative analysis is a much more complex process of research and analysis, there are certain shortcomings that must be taken into account. In this sense, an important shortcoming is the high degree of subjectivity due to the role played by the interpretation part of the data gathering. In such cases, the researcher as well as the participants in the data gathering must be highly qualified and with important information background to be able to consider as many perspectives as possible and select the information received in a manner that would be relevant for the research. Also, "The problem of adequate validity or reliability is a major criticism. Because of the subjective nature of qualitative data and its origin in single contexts, it is difficult to apply conventional standards of reliability and validity." (Hughes, 2012) Single information is retrieved from different context. For instance, unemployment figures are retrieved from a different part of the administration, housing figures from another. Macro economic statistics take into account a certain comparative background. The qualitative analysis must take into account all three different contexts, interpret the information in each context and such interpretation must be put together to provide a coherent analysis on the housing problems among the unemployed in the context of national macroeconomics.

Part two: Case Study: Somali population in the midst of war

The case study provided in this paper deals with the situation of the Somali population in the African country. The theory on which this analysis is based believes that the constant wars that have torn apart the country have placed a significant pressure on the population and eventually on the future of the country. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, this case study points out the current stand of the population. This aspect is important because it also provides a forecast for the coming years in terms of economic and sustainable development. The dramatic situation of the Somali society is visible when passing by through the capital Mogadishu as a simple tourist, as well as when analyzing the facts and figures presented in different statistical tables. Both these aspects taken into consideration, it can be said that the society, meaning the Somali people, has suffered immensely from the decades of civil war, and even today, it is hard to ascertain the degree in which the people can become a flourishing African nation.

For this case study, in order to establish a background, several aspects have been considered. Firstly, the historical background is crucial and more suitable for this exercise is the quantitative method of research largely because it provides a tool for descriptive and objective data gathering. In this sense, Somalia is a country at the crossroad of African and Arab cultures, with influences from both areas of definition. Somalia is a coastal nation in East Africa, widely known as Horn of Africa. Continentally, it is surrounded by Ethiopia and Djibouti on the north and mid-west, and Kenya on its south-west. The Gulf of Aden is located on its far east.

The structure of the social framework is the result of the constant pressures of the colonial powers that have exercised their influence throughout the years and had conditioned the evolution of the population. The English and the Italians were the two major political systems that influenced the history of the Somali and each in its turn provided a different social perspective. (Distance-based learning in global health for Africa, n.d.) As a response, at the time of its independence in 1960 Somalia was described as one of the few mono-ethnic states in Africa, one with a common language, a common culture and a single religion, Islam; this showed the attempt of the Somali to draw their own identity, independent of the desires imposed throughout the years by colonial nations.

Despite these attempts, the population suffered greatly from the wars that marked their history and this is most obvious in an analysis on the structure and trends of evolution of the society. Therefore, in order to better grasp the effects war had on the population it is important to take into account the demographic evolution in the country, with all its statistical evidence, such as fertility, mortality, migration and mobility, age and sex characteristics, as well as population and socio-economic characteristics. In the end, taking into consideration the reality, a few possible solutions would be in order. While the first part of this case study works with statistics, the possible solutions are reached through qualitative research conducted.

Overall assessment of the Somali population

It is difficult to give a proper assessment of the situation in a country that is constantly undergoing changes due to war. In this sense, even the UN, as the most important international organization dealing with issues such as migration, poverty, or mobility, lacks the proper information regarding such aspects, due to the limited amount of data provided by the authorities on the one hand, and by their own analysis on the other. Nonetheless, there is some general information that can account for as official data. The census realised in 1975, the only official attempt to this day, revealed "the total population was 3.3 million." (Metz, 1992) A rather independent source, the United Nations "estimated Somalia's population in mid-1991 at nearly 7.7 million." (Metz, 1992) Estimates from 2005 reveal the figure of 11.1 million people (Institute for Security Studies, 2005), thus a rather significant rise from the first census. Finally, figures from 2012, point out a decrease to a little over 10 million people (CIA World Factbook, 2012). Even this latest figure is estimated, "derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare" (CIA World Factbook, 2012). Therefore, for a quantitative analysis, the lack of valid information is a clear shortcoming particularly because it is first information that can be misinterpreted at a later stage of the research.

Fertility

Fertility is considered to be a major issue when discussing population because it offers one of the explanations for the rise or fall in the number of persons, which in turn may be useful in additionally explaining the number of population. A rather important impediment when trying to discuss the exact situation in terms of population is the fact that there is a lack of conclusive information regarding the exact structure and composition of the society and the population. In this sense, most assumptions tend to rely on the 1975 census and the eventual subsequent limited inquires made at local and regional level. From this perspective, it can be pointed out that before the 1992 war, the fertility rate had reached a rather significant level, of 6.7 for the Somali and 6.0 for the nomads. (UN, 1997) Also, in terms of differentiating the rural from the urban population, the fertility rate prior to the war shows a ratio of 7.2 for the city dwellers and 7.1 for the rest. (UN, 1997) After the war however, the situation changed in the sense of a fall in the fertility rate up to 6.0, with an estimate of 6.5 for 2000-2005. In terms of statistics available related to children situation, out of 15 indicators provided by UNICEF, 4 do not have data available (UNICEF, 2012).

From a qualitative research perspective, the available statistics could be explained by the hard living conditions the war had imposed on the population and especially on women. The lack of safety and social integration can determine the fall in fertility ratios and thus a fall in the overall number of births. Moreover, the precarious economic situation presents an important factor that influences the evolution of fertility figures. Thus, this indicator represents an alarm signal for the negative evolution of the country. This is obvious in the final assessment of the UN report which underlines the fact that estimated figures for the next decade continue to fall, up to 5.5 in 2010 (UN, 1997), an affirmation that points out even more the general decline the Somali society is going through.

Mortality

According to the UN, the life expectancy prior to the war was estimated at 42 years for the population in the rural areas, and 48 years for those living in the urban areas. (UN, 1997) Taking into account the fact that the segment of the population living in the cities is extremely low, with an average of only 28% in 2001, with prior figures indicating an even lower percentage, (Encyclopaedia of the Nations, n.d. ) it can be said that the overall live expectancy admitted a negative perspective of the population. The indicator of mortality is an important element for pointing out the effects the civil war had on the Somali population and its structure.

The war played a major part in defining the evolution of the mortality ratio. The expectancy rate dropped sharply to 30-35 years. (UN, 1997) This was indeed the result of the pressures the civil war imposed on the population, on the one hand. Throughout the civil conflict, the number of persons affected by the effects of the clashes had reached impressive levels. This in turn influenced the level of economic development and social evolution and it ultimately back clashed and reduced the opportunity for the normal evolution of the social environment. However, the same UN report agrees that "the expectancy of life at birth to remain at this level until 2005, and increase at the rate of half year per year during the subsequent years." (UN, 1997) To the practical effects of the civil war, one must take into account even the natural disasters that can affect the country, especially considering that Somalia lacks the infrastructure to respond to droughts or floods. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1992) This negative trend is somewhat obvious, taking into account the fact that the economic structure of the society is in large parts destroyed by a powerless political framework, a corrupt system, and an overall international scene that lacks the determined interest to get involved in resolving the situation in Somalia, and in African countries in general.