Characteristics of Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Quantitative
Description &
explanation-oriented
Major role
Justification for the
research problem &
specification for the
need for the study
Specific & narrow
Measurable, observable
data
Predetermined
instruments
Numbered data
Large number of
individual
Statistical analysis
Description of trends,
comparison of groups,
or relationships among
variables
A comparison of results
with predictions & past
studies
Standard & fixed
Objective & unbiased

Steps
Identifying a
Research Problem

Reviewing
Literature

Selecting
Participants/Sample

Collecting
Data

Analysing &
Interpreting Data

Reporting &
Evaluating Research

Qualitative
Exploratory &
understanding-oriented
Minor role
Justification for the
research problem

General & broad

Participants
experiences
Emerging protocols
Text or image data
Small number of
individuals or sites

Text analysis
Description, analysis, &
thematic development
The larger meaning of
findings

Flexible & emerging

Reflexive & biased