Question

i. Provide a definition of archival research. (4 marks)

ii. Compare and contrast how information obtained from archival research might be analysed in a qualitative study and in a quantitative study that uses companies’ annual reports. (you do not need to refer to an actual study) (8 marks)

PLEASE ANSWER ACOORDING TO THE MARKS. AND PLEASE DONT COPY OTHER ANSWER

Answer 1

1. Archival research, as the name suggests is the research derived from "archived" data. archived data is the data or information that is stored separately and distinctively in a folder and which is not so actively used. archived data is mostly historic and does not relate much to the present data.

thus, archival research is evaluating, analysis and making a systematic interpretation of archived data to make the analysis.

old sensus record and surveys are common example of archival research.

2. compnay's annual report's archived data holds both quantitative and qualitative data. archival research can be made in both aspects based on the subject matter of the research.

if research requires quantitative analysis, numbered data is picked up or the data is translated into numbers for the required analysis.

same holds for qualitative analysis, descreptive data is picked up or numbered data is translated into descriptive data to make the required analysis.

since archived research is based on historic data, this research is helpful in making comparisons or defining the long term policies for the company.

example for quantitative archival research, net sales of the company in the past years can be evaluated to make comparison of the sales data today or to draw a sales trend for designing a long term marketing plan.

example of qualitative archival research, making an analysis of employee retention and workforce satisfaction in the company to make some employee oriented plans for the company.