Technology to Support Qualitative and Quantitative Research
	How Can Technology Support the Research Process  The concept of digital convergence is having a significant influence particularly on the qualitative research process since it blends the use of traditional and newer technologies throughout the research process. (Brown, 2002, Introduction section ¶1; Leedy, 2001, p. 19).  Expanding on the concept presented in Leedy and Ormrod’s outline of relevant technologies for research, Table 1 depicts traditional and emerging technologies that can be used to facilitate the stages of the research process. Table 1 Correlation of technologies that support the stages of the research process. Technology Planning the Study Literature Review Data Collection Data Analysis Communicating Results / Findings Word Processing X X     X Spreadsheet Applications X X   X X World Wide Web X X X   X Email     X   X Electronic Databases X X       Online Resource Mgt. X X       Professional Electronic Mailing Lists X   X   X Online Journals X X     X Concept Mapping X X   X   Bibliographic Reference Software   X     X Qualitative Analysis Software   X   X   Quantitative Analysis Software       X    Thanks to the increasing accessibility to technologies represented in Table 1, researchers can now blend traditional technologies with emerging technologies to more efficiently and effectively manage the research process.  Such technologies should no longer be limited to data analysis, since the features of the technologies are capable of supporting research tasks in planning the study, literature review, data collection, data analysis, and communication of findings.              Throughout the qualitative research process, Brown recommends keeping one question in mind.  "How can the research process be digitized in ways that enhance the idiographic nature of the work as well as provides a catalyst for individual creativity" (Brown, 2002, Collecting Digital Data section ¶1).  One important consideration in using technology to support the research process is for the researcher to maximize technology use but not to significantly exceed their comfort level.  As within educational technology, the technology should be a tool to support learning or inquiry, not a barrier of source of continued frustration that impedes the research process.
	References Brown, D. (2002, May,). Going digital and staying qualitative: Some alternative strategies for digitizing the qualitative research   process. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 3(2) Retrieved July 29, 2002, from http://qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/2-02/2-02brown-e.htm Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J.E. (2001). Practical research: Planning and design (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.