5. In science there are two main approaches to research: quantitative and qualitative. At the simplest level, qualitative approaches deal with the subjective qualities of an entity while quantitative approaches investigate their focus through objective quantities. Both offer tools for collecting and analyzing very specific types of data. These methods serve very different, but vital means. These two groups of methods differ in many ways, but the biggest difference can be explained by the specific paradigms to which the methods adhere. Although paradigms tend to divide scientists, I argue that this should not be the case. Contrary to what I have learned throughout my academic career, I believe that qualitative and quantitative methods complement and reinforce each other and improve each other's results. Quantitative research is guided by the positivist paradigm. This is what many people believe and are taught is the “real science” method. This paradigm seeks to collect data that can be sorted, categorized, and graphed. Positivism is primarily concerned with the reliability, validity, and generalizability of knowledge. This method begins with a theory. Using deductive logic, a testable hypothesis is formulated. Data is then collected and complied to test this theory (Bailey, 2007, p. 52). Quantitative research places enormous importance on researcher neutrality. It is critical that the quantitative researcher maintains a value-free approach to avoid influencing their results. Anything less is believed to allow for error on the part of the researcher and, consequently, skewed results. The final product of the research is assumed to contain no evidence of reaction to its findings. T...... middle of paper ......If the interaction had not been explicitly prohibited, one can imagine that the relationship would have remained professional and would not have crossed any lines. While I doubt it was the filmmaker's explicit goal, Kitchen Stories represents an example of the problems that can arise when social research becomes too rigid. Most of the flaws in this study were pointed out for humor, but they also held a lot of truth. While some respect must be given to the scientific method, studies of human behavior require more creative solutions to problems that may arise regarding bias. The study conducted in Kitchen Stories would have been more effective if it had removed the human observer from the field entirely or allowed them to have more freedom in studying the subjects. In any case, some flexibility in the design would have been useful in the long run.