TYPES OF RESEARCH

Qualitative Research vs Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research is research undertaken to gain insights concerning attitudes, beliefs,
motivations and behaviors of individuals to explore a social or human problem. It includes
methods such as focus groups, in-depth interviews, observation research and case studies.

It includes designs, techniques and measures that do not produce discrete numerical data.
Qualitative data can be collected through direct observation, participant observation or interview
method. Qualitative research includes an “array of interpretive techniques which seek to
describe, decode, translate and otherwise come to terms with the meaning, not the frequency, of
certain more or less naturally occurring phenomena in the social world.

Qualitative research aims to achieve an in-depth understanding of a situation. Qualitative

research is designed to tell the researcher how (process) and why (meaning) things happen as
they do. Qualitative techniques are used at both the data collection and data analysis stages of a
research project. At the data collection stage, the array of techniques includes focus groups,
individual depth interviews, case studies, ethnography, grounded theory, action research and
observation. During analysis, the qualitative researcher uses content analysis of written or
recorded materials drawn from personal expressions by participants and behavioral observations.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to

phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. It includes designs, techniques and
measures that produce discreet numerical or quantifiable data.

Quantitative research is a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomenon via

statistical, mathematical and computational techniques. The objective of quantitative research is
to develop and employ mathematical models, theories and hypotheses pertaining to a
phenomenon. Quantitative data is any data that is in numerical form such as statistics and
percentages etc

It includes designs, techniques and measures that produce discreet numerical or quantifiable data.
Advantages of using both qualitative and quantitative methods
1. Since in many cases a researcher has several objectives, some of these objectives are
better assessed using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
2. Both methods supplement each other i.e. qualitative methods provide the in-depth
explanations while quantitative methods provide the data needed to test hypotheses.
3. Since both methods have a bias, using both types of research helps to avoid such bias in
that each method can be used to check the other.
Disadvantages of using both qualitative and quantitative methods
1. It is expensive
2. Researchers may not have sufficient training in both methods to be able to use them
effectively.

Descriptive vs. Analytical: Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries
of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs
as it exists at present. In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or
information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

Applied vs. Fundamental:

Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organisation, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalisations and with the formulation of a theory.
Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory.
It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret
existing ones. On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience or observation alone,
often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment.
Empirical research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other
variables in some way.