Activity 1

In your own words, compare and contrast Qualitative and Quantitative research.
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are similar in that they’re
both involved in the collection and analysis of data. The big difference is that
whereas quantitative research methodology deals primarily with numbers and
statistics, qualitative research tends to deal with words and meaning.
Qualitative research involves the use of procedures that rely on findings
based on human reasoning and behavior. It engages research designs that
emphasize the collection of data that is related to naturally occurring
phenomena. The assessment of collected data does not involve any form of
enumeration but rather seek to understand the phenomena from which they
are obtained. Quantitative research on the other hand entails the use of
numbers, statistics, control and structure. Methods used in quantitative
research involve systematic prediction, determination and generalization of
findings to describe the data collected. The phenomena studied are compared
with their quantitative properties and the same can be extended to various
aspects of education. When comparing the two forms of research it is
apparent that quantitative research uses deductive mathematical models to
analyze the hypotheses formed in the study of natural phenomena while
qualitative research involves the use of prior knowledge to form
interpretations that are more subjective. Another difference between the two
forms of study is the nature of quantitative research being replicable as data
collected in a quantitative survey can be analyzed and used in the
comparison of a repeated study at a later time. Qualitative research is not
easily repeatable as it deals with inductive data that cannot be directly used
in comparison with data obtained with qualitative studies covered at a later
time.

Quantitative information is generated as measurable data. It is presented in

number format, for example percentages, participant numbers, sales figures,
raw numbers of stakeholders, level of usage or satisfaction. The purpose of
quantitative research is to provide narrow, focused and conclusive findings. It
is gathered to understand the extent of something tangible, it is effective in
providing a sharp and specific overview of what program activity has taken
place and to what extent. It may be collected through surveys, data analysis,
document review and stakeholder interviews. Quantitative research provides
facts that be easily digested by readers, it helps to set benchmarks for future
measures, and enables you to perhaps also understand how funding has
been spent. The limitation of relying on quantitative data alone is that it only
provides part of the picture and often obscures the more in-depth, more
meaningful, complex and nuanced aspects of a project or program. This is
where qualitative information is useful.
 On the other hand, the primary aim of qualitative research is to explore more
broadly the intangible aspects of an evaluation or research topic. Qualitative
research is gathered as a way to provide depth of meaning to the numbers. It
is often collected through focus groups, videos in-depth interviews, case
studies and open-ended questions in surveys. Qualitative information
provides a rich picture of our project or program by helping to demonstrate
what difference we have made on a deeper level, on a ‘human’ scale. Of
course, there are also dangers in using qualitative information alone, as it can
make it difficult for the reader to understand the extent to which findings
represent the broader stakeholder or community group, it can make it
challenging for them to get a sense of how these anecdotes fit in the broader
picture.

Activity 2 
Complete the missing information in the table given below. 
Standards Qualitative Quantitative

Behavior toward 1. Desires to preserve the Control or manipulation of

research natural setting of research research conditions by the
aspects/conditions features researcher.
Obtaining knowledge Multiple methods Scientific method

Purpose 2. Makes social intentions 3. Evaluates objective

understandable and examines cause-
effect relationships
Data-analysis Thematic codal ways, 4. Mathematically based
technique competence-based methods
Sampling technique 5. More inclined to Random sampling as the
purposive sampling or use most preferred
of chosen samples based on
some criteria