Quiz 1

Research methods
BSC IV A

Q1. Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research, discuss any three
differences using examples (15 marks)
Ans) Qualitative research is more subjective it describes a problem or a condition whereas

quantitative is more objective and provides observed effects. Qualitative includes in-depth

interviews whereas in quantitative research surveys and structured observations and interviews

are taken. One of the most prominent difference is qualitative is text based whereas quantitative

is number based. Qualitative has unstructured response options whereas in quantitative has fixed

response options.

Quantitative Example: 1) The health department studied the number of cases of Covid in

vaccinated people in Pakistan

2) Does a stressful work environment lead to higher turnover rates?

Qualitative Example: 1) What are the experiences of people working night shifts in health care?

2) What is it like growing up in a single-parent family in a rural environment?

Q2. How is cross sectional study different from cohort study? 10 marks
Cross sectional studies are used primarily to determine the prevalence of a problem whereas

cohort studies involve the study of the population that is both exposed and non-exposed to the

cause of disease development agents. In cross sectional studies, prevalence determines the

number of incidences in a given population. Questionnaires are mainly used in most of the cross-
sectional studies. Cross sectional studies are relatively cheap and quick, and allow the

researchers to obtain lot of information very quickly. Whereas in cohort study both exposed and

the non-exposed population are compared to try and find out the link or association between the

suspected cause and the disease. Cause and effect can be established by this type of study. There

is minimization of information and selection biases and it is also expensive

Q3. Define RCT’s and their major drawback (15 marks). Use examples
A study design that randomly assigns participants into an experimental group or a control group.

As the study is conducted, the only expected difference between the control and experimental

groups in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the outcome variable being studied. It is

Expensive in terms of time and money, volunteer biases: the population that participates may not

be representative of the whole and Loss to follow-up attributed to treatment. Power calculation

might demand vast samples size, which require more resources from the investigators. Validity

requires multiple sites, which will be difficult to manage. Long trial run time may result in the

loss of relevance as practice may have moved on by the time the trial is published