QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH – a type of research based on traditional scientific methods, which generates
numerical data and usually seeks to establish causal relationships between two or more variables, using
statistical methods to test the strength and significance of the relationships

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH – a type of research that seeks to provide understanding of human experience,
perceptions, motivations, intentions and behaviors based on description and observation and utilizing a
naturalistic interpretative approach to a subject and its contextual setting

Qualitative Quantitative
Objectives  In-depth understanding of  Quantification of data
underlying reasons and  Measurement of incidence,
motivations etc.
Data analysis  Non-statistical  Statistical
 Contextual
 Thematic
Outcomes  Not conclusive nor  Broad-based insights
generalizable  Population-based
understanding

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

QUANTITATIVE METHODOLOGIES QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGIES
Preference for precise hypothesis stated at the Preference for hypotheses that emerge as the
outset study develops
Preference for precise definitions stated at the Preference for definitions in context or as study
outset progresses
Data reduced to numerical scores Preference for narrative description
Much attention to assessing and improving Preference for assuming that reliability of
reliability of scores obtained from instruments inferences is adequate
Assessment of validity through a variety of Assessment of validity through crosschecking
procedures with reliance on statistical indices sources of information (triangulation)

DIFFERING PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCHERS

ASSUMPTIONS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCHERS ASSUMPTIONS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCHERS
There exists a reality “out there,” independent of The individuals involved in the research situations
us, waiting to be known. The task of science is to construct reality; thus, realities exist in the form
discover the nature of reality and how it works of multiple mental constructions
Research investigations can potentially result in Research investigations produce alternative
accurate statements about the way the world visions of what the world is like
really is
It is possible for the researcher go remove him – It is impossible for the researcher to stand apart
or herself – to stand apart from that which is from the individuals he or she is studying
being researched
 QUANTITATIVE VERSUS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
QUANTITATIVE METHODOLOGIES QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGIES
Preference for precise hypothesis at the outset Preference for hypotheses that emerge as the
study develops
Preference for precise definitions stated at the Preference for definitions in context or as the
outset study progresses
Data reduced to numerical scores Preference for narrative descriptions
Much attentions to assessing and improving Preference for assuming that reliability of
reliability of scores obtained from instruments inferences is adequate
Assessment of validity through a variety of Assessment of validity through crosschecking
procedures with reliance on statistical indices sources of information (triangulation)
Preference for random techniques for obtaining Preference for expert information (purposive)
meaningful samples samples
Preference for precisely describing procedures Preference for narrative/literary descriptions of
procedures
Preference for design or statistical control of Preference for logical analysis in controlling or
extraneous variables accounting for extraneous variables
Preference for specific design control for Primary reliance on researcher to deal with
procedural bias procedural bias
Preference for statistical summary of results Preference for narrative summary of results
Preference for breaking down complex Preference for holistic description of complex
phenomena into specific parts for analysis phenomena
Willingness to manipulate aspects, situations, or Unwillingness to tamper with naturally occurring
conditions in studying complex phenomena phenomena

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

1. Naturalistic inquiry. Studying real-world situations as they unfold naturally; non-manipulative,
unobtrusive, and non-controlling; openness to whatever emerges – lack of predetermined
constraints on outcomes.
2. Inductive analysis. Immersion in the details and specifics of the data to discover important
categories, dimensions, and interrelationships; begin by exploring genuinely open questions rather
than testing theoretically derived (deductive) hypothesis.
3. Holistic perspective. The whole phenomenon under study is understood as a complex system that is
more than the sum of its parts; focus is on complex interdependencies not meaningfully reduced to
a few discrete variables and linear, cause-effect relationships.
4. Qualitative data. Detailed, thick descriptions; in-depth inquiry; direct quotations capturing people’s
personal perspectives and experiences.
5. Personal contact and insight. The researcher has direct contact with and gets close to the people,
situation and phenomenon under study; researcher’s personal experiences and insights are
important part of the inquiry and critical to understanding the phenomenon.
6. Dynamic systems. Attention to process; assumes change is constant and ongoing whether the focus
is on an individual or an entire culture.
7. Unique case orientation. Assumes each case is special and unique; the first level of inquiry is being
true to, respecting, and capturing the details of the individual cases being studied; cross-case
analysis follows from and depends on the quality of individual case studies.
8. Context sensitivity. Places findings in a social, historical, and temporal context; dubious of the
possibility or meaningfulness of generalization across time and space.
9. Empathic neutrality. Complete objectivity is impossible; pure subjectivity undermines credibility;
the researcher’s passion is understanding the world in all its complexity – not proving something,
not advocating, not advancing personal agenda, but understanding; the researcher includes
personal experience and empathic insight as part of the relevant data, while taking a neutral
nonjudgmental stance toward whatever content may emerge.
10. Design flexibility. Open to adapting inquiry as understanding deepens and/or situations change;
avoids getting locked into rigid designs that eliminate responsiveness; pursues new paths of
discovery as they emerge.

STRENGTHS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

1. Issues can be examined in detail and in-depth.
2. Interview are not restricted to specific questions and can be guided/redirected by the researcher in
real time.
3. The research framework and direction can be quickly revised as new information emerges.
4. The obtained data based on human experience is powerful and sometimes more compelling than
quantitative data.
5. Subtleties and complexities about the research subjects and/or topic are discovered that are often
missed by more positivistic inquiries.
6. Data usually are collected from a few cases or individuals so findings cannot be generalized to a
larger population. Findings can however be transferable to another setting.

LIMITATIONS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

1. Research quality is heavily dependent on the individual skills of the researcher and more easily
influenced by the researcher’s personal biases and idiosyncrasies.
2. Rigor is more difficult to maintain, assess, and demonstrate.
3. The volume of data makes analysis and interpretation time consuming.
4. It is sometimes not as well understood and accepted as quantitative research within the scientific
community.
5. The researcher’s presence during data gathering, which is often unavoidable in qualitative research,
can affect the subjects’ responses.
6. Issues of anonymity and confidentiality can bring/result to problems when presenting findings.
7. Findings can be more difficult and time consuming to characterize in a visual way.

TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Phenomenology
It is an approach to philosophy and not specifically a method of inquiry; this has often been
misunderstood. It is first and foremost philosophy, the approach employed to pursue a particular study
should emerge from the philosophical implications inherent in the question.

Ethnography
It is the direct description of a group, culture or community. Nevertheless, the meaning of the word
ethnography can be ambiguous; it is an overall term for a number of approaches. Sometimes
researchers use it as synonymous with qualitative research in general, while at other times it’s meaning
is more specific.

Grounded theory
It is a development of theory directly based and grounded in the data collected by the researcher. It is a
research methodology for discovering theory in a substantive area.

Case study
It is used for a research approach with specific boundaries and can be both qualitative and quantitative.
In addition, it is an entity studies as a single unit and it has clear confines and a specific focus and is
bound to context.

Source: Fraenkel and Wallen, How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education