Home / Blog / Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research: Comparing the Methods and Strategies for Education Research Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research: Comparing the Methods and Strategies for Education Research July 23,2020 #¥in By using or webs,Nomatter the fel of study al research canbe divided into two cistinct methodologies: qualitative and quantitative research, Both methodologies offer education researchers imoortantinsiahts We Use Cookies. Interacions withthe webste such sb pages you have vite content you have etd, an vriacments youve sen For ote formalin see ou Bay Boley By ng our webal, You consent ta the use of cooks ‘education provides numerical data that can prove ar disprove a theory, and administvators can easily share the number-based results with other schools and districts. And while the research_may speak toa relatively small sample size, educators and researchers can scale the results from ‘quantifiable data to predict outcomes in larger student populations and groups. Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research in Education: Definitions ‘Although there are many averlaps in the objectives of qualitative and quantitative research in ‘education researchers must understand the fundamental functions af each methodology in order to design and carry out an impactful research study. In addition, they must understand the differences that set qualitative and quantitative esearch apart inorder to determine which ‘methodology is better suited to specific education research topics. Generate Hypotheses with Qualitative Research Qualitative research focuses on thoughts, concepts, or experiences. The data collected often ‘comes in narrative form and concentrates on unearthing insights that can lead to testable hypotheses. Educators use qualitative research ina study's exploratory stages to uncover patterns or new angles. We Use Cookies. {Wet cokes to irprov your space wit the wan ae to ip tad yor Interactions withthe webste such sb pages you have vite content youhave etd, an vriaements you have sen For ore formalin see ou ay Poly By ng our eb, You consent ta the use of cookskeeping in mind the main cistnction in qualitative vs. quantitative research—gathering descriptive information as opposed to numerical data—it stands to reason that there are different ways to acquire data for each research methodology, While certain approaches do ‘overlap, the way researchers apply these collection techniques depends on their goal Interviews for example, are common in both modes of research. An interview with students that features open-ended questions intended to reveal ideas and beliefs around attendance will provide qualitative data. This data may reveal a problem among students such as a lack of access to transportation, that schools can help address ‘An interview can also include questions posed to receive numerical answers. A case In point: how many days a week do students have trouble getting to school, and of those days, how often isa transportation-related issue the cause? In this example, qualitative and quantitative ‘methodologies can lead to similar conclusions but the esearch wil differ in intent, design, and form, “Taking a look at behavioral observation, another common method used for both qualitative and ‘quantitative research, qualitative data may consider a variety of factors, such as facial ‘expressions, verbal responses, and body language. ‘On the other hand, 2 quantitative approach willcreate a coding scheme for certain predetermined behaviors and observe these ina quantifiable manner. Qualitative Research Methods We Use Cookies. ‘Wa we ence to improv your meron ith the we an fo help ndrtand yo Interactions withthe webste such sb pages you have vite content you have etd, a vriaements you have sen For ote formalin see ou aay Bal By ng our eb, You consent tothe use of cooks se their rea-ife environment.+ Interviews: Researchers ask participants questions to learn about their perspectives on a particular subject Quantitative Research Methods + Questionnaires and Surveys: Participants receive ist of questions either closed-ended or multiple choice, which are directed around a particular topic. + Experiments: Researchers control and test variables to demonstrate cause-and-offect relationships. + Observations: Researchers look at cuantifable patterns and behavior. + Structured Interviews: Using a predetermined structure, researchers ask participants a fixed set of questions to acquire numerical data Choosing a Research Strategy ‘When choosing which research strategy to employ for aproject or study, number of considerations apply. One key piece of information to help determine whether tousea ‘qualitative vs quantitative research method is which phase of development the study isin. We Use Cookies. Interactions wth the webste such sb pages you have vite content you have etd, an ‘veriacments you have sen Fo ote formalin see ou aay Boley By ng our eal, You consent ts the use of cooks To determine how many students are passing Beometry? These two scene sets of data, which willdetermine the best methodology to employ. erequred meInsome situations studies will benefit from a mixed-methods approach, Using the goalsin the above example, one set of data could find the percentage of students passing geometry, wich ‘would be quantitative. The research team could also lead a focus group with the students achieving success to discuss which techniques and teaching practices they find most helpful which would produce qualitative data, Learn How to Put Education Research into Action “Those with an interest in learning how to harness research to develop innovative ideas to improve education systems may want to consider pursuing doctoraldegree. American University’s School of Education Online offers a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Education Policy and Leadership that prepares future educators school administrators, and other education professionals to become leaders who effect positive changes in schools. Courses such as Applied Research Methods |: Enacting Critical Research provides students with the techniques and esearch sill needed to begin conducting research exploring new ways to enhance education, Learn more about American’ University's EdD in Education Policy and Leadership. 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