Qualitative Research

Qualitative research relies on data obtained by the researcher from first-hand observation,

interviews, questionnaires (on which participants write descriptively), focus groups, participant-
observation, recordings made in natural settings, documents, and artifacts. The data are generally
nonnumerical. Qualitative methods include ethnography, grounded theory, discourse analysis,
and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Qualitative research methods have been used in
sociology, anthropology, political science, psychology, social work, and educational
research. Qualitative researchers study individuals' understanding of their social reality.

Qualitative Research Characteristics

1. Natural environment (natural setting). Qualitative researchers collect field data at the
locations where participants experience the problem or issue to be studied. Qualitative researchers do
not change the environmental settings and activities of the participants. Information is gathered by
talking directly to people and seeing them act directly in a natural context.

2. Researcher as a key instrument (researcher as key instrument). Qualitative researchers

generally collect their own research data through participant observation, documentation, or direct
interviews with participants. These researchers generally do not use instruments or questionnaires
made by other researchers, because they are the only key to the study.

3. Multiple sources of data. Qualitative researchers generally choose to collect the required data
from various sources such as interviews, documentation, and observations, rather than relying only on
one source data.

4. Inductive data analysis. Qualitative researchers build categories, patterns and themes from
the ground up (inductive) or from separate data into a complete conclusion.

5. The meaning of the participants (participant’s meaning). In the entire research process, the
researcher must focus on studying the meaning obtained from the participants about the issue or
research problem, not the meaning conveyed by other authors or researchers in certain literatures.

6. Design that develops (emergent design). Qualitative researchers argue that qualitative
research is always evolving and dynamic. This can mean that the initial plan is not a standard that must
be adhered to, all stages of research may change after the researcher goes into the field and collects
data. Provided that these changes are still in line in achieving the research objectives, namely obtaining
information about the problem or research issue.

7. Theoretical perspective (theoritical lens). Qualitative researchers often use certain

perspectives in conducting research such as ethnography, cultural concepts, gender differences, race
and others.

8. Interpretive. Qualitative researchers make an interpretation of what they see, hear and what
they understand. Usually there are differences in interpretation between researchers and readers and
participants, so it appears that qualitative research offers different views on a content or problem.
 9. A holistic account. Qualitative researchers usually try to make a complex picture of a research
issue or problem. Researchers describe the perspectives and factors associated with the problem as a
whole.

Strengths
Complement and refine quantitative data
Provide more detailed information to explain
complex issues
Multiple methods for gathering data on sensitive
subjects
Data collection is usually cost efficient
Weakneass
Findings usually cannot be generalised to the
study population or community
More difficult to analyse; don’t fit neatly in
standard categories
Data collection is usually time consuming

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a research strategy that focuses on quantifying the collection and
analysis of data.[1] It is formed from a deductive approach where emphasis is placed on the testing of
theory, shaped by empiricist and positivist philosophies. The objective of quantitative research is to
develop and employ mathematical models, theories, and hypotheses pertaining to phenomena.
Quantitative data is any data that is in numerical form such as statistics, percentages, etc. Quantitative
research is widely used in psychology, economics, demography, sociology, marketing, community
health, health & human development, gender studies, and political science; and less frequently in
anthropology and history.

1. CONTAIN MEASURABLE VARIABLES

Data gathering instruments contain items that solicit measurable characteristics of the
population. These measurable characteristics are referred to as the variables of the study such as age,
the number of children, educational status, and economic status.

2. USE STANDARDIZED RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

The data collection instruments include questionnaires, polls, or surveys. Standardized, pre-
tested instruments guide data collection thus ensuring the accuracy, reliability and validity of data. Pre-
testing helps identify areas in the research instruments that need revisions. It makes sure that
respondents provide the expected answers or satisfies the intent of the researcher to meet the research
objectives.

3. ASSUMES A NORMAL POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

For more reliable data analysis of quantitative data, a normal population distribution curve is
preferred over a non-normal distribution. This requires a large population, the numbers of which
depend on how the characteristics of the population vary. This requires adherence to the principle of
random sampling to avoid researcher’s bias in interpreting the results that defeat the purpose of
research.

4. PRESENTS DATA IN TABLES, GRAPHS, OR FIGURES

The data obtained using quantitative methods are organized using tables, graphs, or figures that
consolidate large numbers of data to show trends, relationships, or differences among variables. This
fosters understanding to the readers or clients of the research investigation.

5. USE REPEATABLE METHOD

Researchers can repeat the quantitative method to verify or confirm the findings in another
setting. This reinforces the validity of groundbreaking discoveries or findings thus eliminating the
possibility of spurious or erroneous conclusions.

6. CAN PREDICT OUTCOMES

Quantitative models or formula derived from data analysis can predict outcomes. If-then
scenarios can be constructed using complex mathematical computations with the aid of computers.

7. USE MEASURING DEVICES

Advanced digital or electronic instruments are used to measure or gather quantitative data from
the field. The instruments ensure an objective and accurate collection of data provided that these are
calibrated. Calibration means that the instruments used by the researcher matches the measurements
of a reference instrument that is considered a standard.

Strengths
Findings can be generalised if selection process is
well-designed and sample is representative of
study population
Relatively easy to analyse
Data can be very consistent, precise and reliable
Weakness
Related secondary data is sometimes not
available or accessing available data is
difficult/impossible
Difficult to understand context of a
phenomenon
Data may not be robust enough to explain
complex issues