Here is a table that shows the comparison of qualitative and quantitative research

methodological design:

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH RESEARCH QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

ASPECT
To understand and interpret social The purpose
To test hypothesis, look at cause and
interactions of the
effect, and make predictions
research
Understanding: why. Who thinks
Key concepts
what about… meanings and Explanation: how. How many. Who
of
attitudes does what. Causal explanation
methodology
Small samples – often in natural Large sample to produce
setting; relevance: informants are generalizable results (results that
Sampling
relevant in relation to problems apply to other situtations):
design
and meaning representative: choses informants
must represent the target group
Unstructured. Free form.
Data Structured response category
Examples: Case study with
collection provided. Examples: Surveys by mail,
Interview and FGD
approach online or handout

Design data
Flexibility: interview with no clear Systematic: survey with closed
collection
answer, dialogue, interaction questions.
instrument

Level of High: the possibilities of answers are

Low: open answers and a variety
of interpretations
Qualitative data (words, image, or
objects) such as open-ended
responses, interviews, participant
observations, field noted
structuration laid out for response. Low flexibility
Quantitative data (numbers and
statistics) based on precise
Form of data
measurements using structured and
collected
validated data-collections
instruments.

Identify patterns of qualitative Type of data Identify statistical relationships;

variation, features, themes analysis mapping of the quantitative variation

Particular or specialized findings Generalizable findings that can be

Conclusion
that is less generalizable applied to other populations.

Researcher and their biases may

be known to participants in the Researcher and their biases are not
study and participant Role of known to participants in the study and
characteristics may be known to researcher participant characteristics are hidden
the researcher from researcher

Research is intimately involved.

Researcher
Results are subjective Researcher uninvolved observer.
independenc
Results are objective.
e