article · International Journal of Scientific Research and Management (IJSRM)
Management science research across universities in Cameroon remains heavily centred on quantitative methods, largely directed by economists who deliver most methodology training. Relying solely on numerical approaches poses significant limitations in settings characterised by oral traditions and restricted access to formal data. Such approaches risk overlooking critical local realities, environmental factors, and nuanced areas of human behaviour. Expanding the adoption of qualitative research provides scholars with deeper insight into unexamined phenomena before pursuing statistical generalisations. Establishing robust qualitative practices fosters the contextualisation of social science studies, producing findings that reflect local conditions and can be applied effectively to support development.
Standard quantitative tools often fail to capture essential social realities in environments where formal data is difficult to access and oral communication predominates. Encouraging qualitative research ensures that academic investigations reflect local social dynamics accurately. This produces grounded, context-specific evidence that can inform policy, improve institutional practices, and support development initiatives.
The abstract does not indicate a commercial application pathway or a direct commercial product. The work proposes an academic methodological guide for researchers and universities to contextualise social science inquiry. Any practical use remains at an early, foundational research stage, aiming to inform broader local development rather than deliver market-facing solutions or commercial assets.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
The objective of this study is to provide a guide to qualitative research methodology in social sciences. It is the result of the observation that research in Management Sciences in most Universities in Cameroon is still dominated by the quantitative approach supported by economists who handle most research methodology courses. In an environment of oral tradition and the difficulties to have access to data, emphasising purely quantitative research may leave aside many aspects of the environment and several areas of human behaviour that make its specificities. Therefore, there is a need to generalise the use of qualitative research to enable researchers to always have a good insight into phenomena not yet clarified before thinking of any generalisation which is the main objective of quantitative research: this gives room to the contextualisation of research which results can easily be applied in its context, thus, enhancing development.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.18535/ijsrm/v11i09.sh01
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
