Qualitative And Quantitative Research: Three Types And Methods

When it comes to research, there are two approaches that are effective in gathering reliable information, which is qualitative and quantitative research. It is important to be able to distinguish between the two, as they are very different and can often become confused as the other. Quantitative research is a type of research that uses numbers and measures gathered from a large sample population (Berg & Lune, 2012, p.3). In order to receive data, it uses paper surveys, online questionnaires, online polls, and telephone interviews as these methods can produce numerical results (Berg & Lune, 2012, p.3). On the other hand, qualitative research focuses more on the meanings of the data, by looking deeper into the underlying issues. To do this, the researcher needs to receive results beyond statistical numbers which is why qualitative research uses

Looking is the first stage in which the researcher is responsible for understanding the issue at hand by gathering information and making sense of who is involved in the group (stakeholders) (Berg & Lune, 2012, p.263). During the second stage, thinking, the researcher is expected to look over the data collected and reflect on the participants behaviours (Berg & Lune, 2012, p.263). This is a time for the participants to join in and reflect on the results with the researcher. This phase is vital as it is the time in which issues and complications are recognized and shown to the stakeholders (Berg & Lune, 2012. p.264). Action is the last phase in action research, which is undeniably the most important stage. This is the phase in which the researcher and stakeholders decide what actions will create the most positive improvements for the issue at hand (Berg & Lune, 2012, p.264). Ultimately, it is the stakeholders responsibility to decide which plan of action they will choose and follow through with (Berg & Lune, 2012,