On employment of methods of quantification of qualitative features in social science investigations

Abstract

The results from empirical sociological studies have to be objective and precise, yet the data processing methods applied should be a subject of verification. However, this is not the case in many studies, since the appropriate quantitative data analysis is missing. This paper presents a new methodology in quantitative data processing for sociological studies. Here we show the quantification of the obtained data using an example from research conducted in relation to the lifestyle of homeowners in Bežanija, Karaburma and Voždovac municipalities. The application of these recent statistical methods offers quantitative characteristics of the answers that the participants in this survey provided. Moreover, accomplished quantification testing is also performed. Based on the testing results, quantification is confirmed or rejected. Once the statistical data processing is complete, the sociological analysis may lead to more reliable conclusions. In addition statistical analysis may determine the validity of the questions inquired. That is, to show the manner in which some questions must be proposed so the information obtained may be statistically processed.