Qualitative Research & Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research
Text Based, No statistical procedures
Inductive process involves, it is used to formulate theories & hypotheses.
Methods include focus groups, interviews, reviewing documents,
Very subjective; but can explore in-depth information
Unstructured or semi-structured answer options
Can be valid and reliable – depends mainly upon the researcher.
Analysis is time consuming
Less generalizable
Have roots in sociology and anthropology.

Quantitative Research
Number based.
Deductive process to come into hypotheses.
Methods include, surveys, structured interviews, observations, documents of numeric Less in-
depth; but more breadth of information across a large number of cases.
Statistical procedures are used for analyses.
Can be valid and reliable – depends mainly upon the researcher
Analysis is less time consuming
Generalizability is high. Information.
Criteria Qualitative Research
Purpose To understand and interpret
social interactions
Group studied Smaller and not randomly
selected
Variables Not variables
Study of the whole.
Type of data collected Word, image, or objects
Form of Data Open-ended responses
Interviews
Participant observations
Field notes
reflections
Types of Data analysis Identify patterns, features,
themes
Objectivity and Subjectivity Subjectivity is expected
Role of Researcher Researcher & their may be
known to participants in the
study, & participants
characteristics may be known
to the researcher.
Results Particular or specialized
findings that is less
generalizable
Quantitative Research
To test hypotheses, look at
cause and effect and make
predictions.
Larger and randomly selected
Specific variables studied
Number and statistics
Quantitative data based on
precise., measurements using
structured & validated data-
collection instruments
Identify statistical
relationships
Objectivity is critical
Researcher & their biases are
known to the participants in
study.
Participants characteristics
are deliberately hidden from
the researcher (double blind
studies)
Generalizable findings that
can be applied to other
populations.