Global Perspectives & Research – Reflection | e-Consult

The evidence base for my research report was multi-faceted, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data. I utilized quantitative data in the form of survey results on social media usage and political attitudes, providing statistical insights into correlations between platform engagement and polarization. The strengths of this data lie in its generalizability and ability to identify trends. However, a weakness is the potential for correlation not to equal causation, and the reliance on self-reported data which may be subject to bias. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with individuals representing diverse political viewpoints, offering rich contextual understanding and nuanced perspectives. The strengths of this data are its ability to capture lived experiences and explore underlying motivations. However, weaknesses include the limited generalizability of interview findings and the potential for interviewer bias. Statistical analysis of the quantitative data allowed for the identification of significant patterns and trends, strengthening the robustness of my findings. The nature of this evidence significantly shaped my conclusions by allowing for both broad statistical claims and in-depth contextual explanations. The combination of data types provided a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the issue, although the inherent limitations of each data type meant that definitive causal conclusions remained challenging to draw. This is explicitly discussed in the report's limitations section.