The design differences in qualitative research in comparison to quantitative research plainly seen are these: qualitative research involves words, pictures, or objects; quantitative involves data in the form of numbers and statistics. The researcher uses in-depth interviews in qualitative research to find out how the subjects view their world. In quantitative research the researcher uses precise measurement to predict hypotheses. In qualitative research the researcher changes the environment of the subject and uses these in-depth questionnaires to find differing attitudes about the world we live in. Quantitative can be personal, such as in periodic visits with the researchers to analysis symptoms and record data. Qualitative and quantitative can overlap in the in-dept interview process in quantitative research to record data and test subjects for symptoms. The two designs can overlap but there are finally differences such as numerical data collection and statistics that will always be at odds. I will always disagree with the statement that quantitative research is impersonal since experience is the best knowledge to know that is not true even though on the surface quantitative research seems impersonal because raw data is obtained. It first begins with the interview in both methods. Then it progresses and branches off into two very different methods. The human quality is there throughout the study in quantitative research though you are required to impute data into the system daily. When you meet with the researchers periodically you are reminded of the human quality. Researchers in all research care about their subjects, if even in professional way. In ending, these are the definitive differences between the two methods that are most recognized: The quantitative method first involves a theory and hypothesis clearly stated in the beginning, the qualitative methods do not formulate a hypothesis until the end of the study. Secondly, the quantitative method involves manipulation and control. An example of manipulation is the drug the control is the placebo. The drug is the instrument, you are being experimented on, the data you give is analyzed and a theory or hypothesis is reasoned. Then the data is reduced to statistics that are abstract and understandable by statististitians. Secondly in comparison, qualitative research ends with the hypothesis, involves emergence and portrayal of the world through the subjects eyes, the researcher changes the subjects environment so the he/she can observe how the subject reacts in certain ways, the researcher measures emotional responses and is directly involved in the research as being a confederate, or an impartial observer.
Qualitative research aims to gather information from data collection methods and transform it into written words. Such as transcribing recorded interviews, taking field notes from observations, using words to outline images (Denscombe, 1998, p. 174). On the other hand, quantitative research aims to gather information from data collection methods and transform it into numbers. Such as analysing conducted surveys and pulling numbers to transform it into statistics, tables and graphs (Denscombe, 1998, p.174-177).
The term methodology refers to the way in which we approach problems and try to find answers and in social science, it applies to how research is conducted, our assumptions, interest and purposes shape which methodology we choose (Steven, 2016:3).Qualitative research is understanding people from their own perspectives, their viewpoint and experiencing reality as they experience it. Qualitative research has many approaches or methods of collecting data and one of them is an interview which I have chosen to explain further based on it as a method of collecting data. The interview is the most common method of data gathering used in qualitative research and it is used in deferent ways by every main theoretical and methodological approach.
According to Smith (1983) quantitative research is to explain, predict and develop laws that can be universally applied and Qualitative research is the interpretation and understanding of what people give to their situation. The researchers clearly stated the purpose of their studies, aim, objectiv...
Research can be quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research is objective and involves measuring the phenomena under investigation. Qualitative research is subjective, explores experiences and feelings, and involves the recording of phenomena that cannot easily be quantified (Toates, 2010, pp. 5-6). Both are empirical since they involve data collection (OU, n.d.).
The father of quantitative analysis, Rene Descartes, thought that in order to know and understand something, you have to measure it (Kover, 2008). Quantitative research has two main types of sampling used, probabilistic and purposive. Probabilistic sampling is when there is equal chance of anyone within the studied population to be included. Purposive sampling is used when some benchmarks are used to replace the discrepancy among errors. The primary collection of data is from tests or standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and closed-ended observational protocols. The secondary means for data collection includes official documents. In this study, the data is analyzed to test one or more expressed hypotheses. Descriptive and inferential analyses are the two types of data analysis used and advance from descriptive to inferential. The next step in the process is data interpretation, and the goal is to give meaning to the results in regards to the hypothesis the theory was derived from. Data interpretation techniques used are generalization, theory-driven, and interpretation of theory (Gelo, Braakmann, Benetka, 2008). The discussion should bring together findings and put them into context of the framework, guiding the study (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). The discussion should include an interpretation of the results; descriptions of themes, trends, and relationships; meanings of the results, and the limitations of the study. In the conclusion, one wants to end the study by providing a synopsis and final comments. It should include a summary of findings, recommendations, and future research (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). Deductive reasoning is used in studies...
This is because Quantitative research generally seeks to imitate natural sciences seeking to establish cause-effect relationships, therefore measurements and quantifications are required to determine the problems involved and the use of labs to exclude confounding variables. However qualitative research can contain quantitative research, to ascertain the effectiveness of an approach compared to another. Quantitative research is usually detached from participants and seeks to simplify complex issues, This can be achieved through questionnaires that the client completes, which will measure levels of emotions that the client feels which the research article ‘An exploration of the therapeutic process while using computerised cognitive behavior therapy’ does. It can also be achieved through physiological measurements on the client’s heart rate or skin responses or statistical observations; where the client is observed using certain words or where the client can be observed using non-verbal behaviour. Quantitative research projects can begin with a qualitative pilot study in order to understand which questions are relevant in a questionnaire.
The three types of qualitative research are phenomenological, grounded theory, and ethnographic research. What are the differences and similarities between two of the three types of studies?
On the other hand, Quantitative research refers to “variance theory” where quantity describes the research in terms of statistical relationships between different variables (Maxwell, 2013). Quantitative research answers the questions “how much” or “how many?” Quantitative research is an objective, deductive process and is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables with generalized results from a larger sample population. Much more structured than qualitative research, quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys, personal interviews and telephone interviews, polls, and systematic observations. Methods can be considered “cookie cutter” with a predetermined starting point and a fixed sequence of
Quantitative research is the oldest form of research; it is incredibly formal, stemming from positivism paradigm, or the outside looking in approach. The method is about trying to establish cause and affect relationships between variables. This method can be considered non biased as the researcher isn’t us...
Each of them have the same goal, but use a different path to find contrasting info in various ways. Doing qualitative research gets you reasonings and explanations of certain issues or improvements a company can do. People who are surveyed are telling their own opinions and ideas in their own words. Companies take this into consideration and use this info collected for future reference. Qualitative data is collected by doing interviews, focus groups, and observations. This data is usually recorded in person, to get a true and more accurate answer. For example, if the business has a drop in sales, they gather people to tell them why people are not buying the products. Quantitative data, however is collected by polls, questionnaires, and surveys. A majority of these methods are not done in person, but are done using online surveys. These surveyors will get numbers, like how many people liked a certain product or the average age of customers. For simple and efficient ways of getting information in numbers, using technology is the fastest and easiest way to do this. All the company needs, is to send out these online polls or surveys to a large group of people. Unlike qualitative data, quantitative data can give you a more general idea of data and a bigger amount of it as well. Qualitative data takes time to find out and can only use a small sample
We believe it is clear that both qualitative and quantitative research have many benefits and many costs. In some situations the qualitative approach will be more appropriate; in other situations the quantitative approach will be more appropriate.
On the other hand, quantitative research allows you to test hypothesis derived from theories, associated with the issues being investigated. It is less flexible, as there are standardized procedures and techniques for collecting, organizing and analyzing the data (Kuada, 2012).
Qualitative and quantitative research methods take different approaches to gathering and analysing information. Whether it is a qualitative or quantitative study, the research study begins with a question or series of questions. Both use rigorously designed studies to get the most accurate, detailed and complete results. Qualitative studies common methods are interviews, surveys and observation. A qualitative study aims to provide a detailed description of the study results, often using pictures and written descriptions to describe what the research revealed. A qualitative study looks at the big picture, helping researchers to narrow in on points of interest that then can be followed up on in a quantitative study. While a quantitative study has a narrower focus, it attempts to provide a detailed explanation of the study focus, along with this using numbers and statistics. And the results from a quantitative study can reveal bigger questions that call for qualitative study. Or vice versa a qualitative study may reveal at analysis that a more focus and direct approach may be needed. With both methods analysis is a key part of any study whether qualitative or quantitative.
Stejskal, S.M. (2010) Quatiative and Qualitative Research Methods are not and should not be Mutually Exclusive, Grinn Verlag.
Particularly, the methods focus in the evaluation of the different interventions and its development. The qualitative methods are useful to the development of its quantitative tools and the quantitative research informs qualitative research. The method that complements and explains a primary qualitative data is the quantitative method. Both the qualitative and quantitative methods have equal and parallel intensity. In addition, it reviews the studies that are published with combined approaches in qualitative and quantitative researches. The mixed methods resonate with the complexity of the palliative care that ventures in the research and the employed applications necessary. The research involves the data collection and analysis with integrated finding using qualitative and quantitative approaches. It is recommended that both approaches should develop and evaluate the complex interventions necessary for the palliative care research. Overall, the research requires deep understanding of the research processes and its perspective.