Running head: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH 1

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

Francisco Avila

MBAA 522 Business Research Methods Module 6.3

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH MEHTODS

Abstract:

This brief essay will compare, contrast and explore the meaning, benefits, and disadvantages of

qualitative research and quantitative research. This paper will conclude comparing and

contrasting the two terms and providing some analogous examples of comparisons.

Keywords: statistical research, qualitative, quantitative, operational, developmental testing

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

It is important to define and understand both qualitative and quantitative research

methods in an applied setting to explore their benefits and limitations. Quantitative research is

process of exploration to isolate and attempt to resolve a problem based on a testing theory

surmounted by numerical data and employing statistical technique to analyze such challenges

(Jencik, 2011). Qualitative research is defined as the interrogation and investigation to construct

a complex and holistic scenario of a problem, challenge, phenomenon in a natural setting.

Qualitative research is a further inquiry to develop the macro scenario. Quantitative research has

been a more studied and widely accepted practice among researchers. An analogous example for

quantitative research is a general template used and valued as a standard for many decades.

Quantitative research methods are procedures towards research analysis to solve using

regression, and providing an alternative to test methods statistically. Quantitative statistics can be

used in researching a certain subject or testing theory, then applied in a mathematical or

scientific approach to translate all tests and make them comparable with dissimilar platforms.

The quantitative process unfolds when researches identify the population or test subjects.

In a 1993 Firestone example of statistical generalization with a quantitative research approach,

displays the following (Polit, 2010). The participants are then subcategorized to find a

representative sample of the population by finding elements that the participants have in

common, similar defined characteristics, and will then select participants from that population

best applying a random selection, to avoid a statistical bias or interference, and promote random

sampling. The benefit of quantitative research is its ability to be interpreted non-subjectively.

The process is standardized and applied to sample any population methodically. The

disadvantage or challenge is it may provide an answer, but it will not provide a solution. The

solution finding must be deferred to the qualitative research methods.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

The qualitative and quantitative research methods are greatly different. As noted the test

participants in the quantitative research are random participants, when compared to the

qualitative research methods, the goal is to understand a scenario in its entirety. The test

participants will not be random selectees, but key character personnel with specialty competent

knowledge in a department. Qualitative research is best suited for higher level concepts or to

shape understanding of decision makers to enable them to make decisions on technical or

abstract concepts they may not understand. The disadvantage in qualitative research methods, is

its inability to transfer its “language” to a general practice.

An analogous example is one displayed in the developmental and operational testing of

US Naval aircraft acquisitions of the Boeing P-8A aircraft. Patuxent River Maryland is a testing

center for the P-8A there are teams of analysts that execute developmental testing, in this

instance, characterized by the quantitative research method. The tests are conducted by

providing a sample size of tasks required by the government to pass inspection. The sample size

is collected from numerous flights testing new onboard systems and how those new systems

interact with legacy systems installed on the aircraft not under test. The data is collected through

samples of random times, sizes, altitudes, and airspeeds, then analyzed for an overall compliance

to the test description. Some test will have threshold deviations that will constitute a failure if

those margins are exceeded. This quantitative research works well for the developmental testing

of aircraft systems but it has its limitations. The qualitative research method provides a further

in depth look to allow the macro picture of how it is best implemented in an operational front

line environment.

Qualitative research allows researchers the understanding of the challenge or problem. In

the P-8A testing, this is most analogous with the operational testing, following the
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

developmental testing. The operational testing accepts the reliability of the newly introduced

systems, and applies a logic to the decision makers if it is a valued and practical investment. An

example are the software systems allowing the operator to search submarines underwater, if the

operator machine interface displays an unmanageable amount of situational awareness data, the

results would overwhelm or flood the information required with non-critical information,

negating the mission success. Likewise, the qualitative research will seek open questions to

understand and emulate a scenario where the equipment will be employed and find its best use

for it. The question now becomes: “Even though this equipment has completed all it has

promised; how can it best be used?” The qualitative research method pursues a key questions

and analysis to understand the larger picture.

Discussion

Conclusively, both qualitative and quantitative research provide different benefits and

limitations. As defined the quantitative research approach is a procedural, unbiased, objective

approach allowing a clear translation into different applications to provide an answer but not a

solution. Qualitative research has its benefits when attempting to understand the scenario as to

provide a solution or a recommendation for decision makers before manipulating any inputs, and

understand the implications. Both research methods are key and useful in their own advantages.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

References

Jencik, A. (2011). Qualitative versus quantitative research. In J. T. Ishiyama & M. Breuning 21st

century political science: A reference handbook (pp. 506-513). Thousand Oaks, CA:

SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781412979351.n60

Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2010). Generalization in quantitative and qualitative research: Myths

and strategies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(11), 1451-1458.

doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2010.06.004