Similarities and Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Similarities and Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research 

 

While most authors today apparently see qualitative and quantitative approaches as complementary, the literature on research methods reveals the persistent debate between who favored qualitative approaches over quantitative or vice versa. Nevertheless, the issue now is not whether which approach is superior but rather which method should be employed to arrive at convincing answer to the questions that the study is intended to settle. The basic difference between the two approaches is that qualitative methods involve description of the kinds of characteristics of people and events without comparing them in terms of measurement or amounts. Quantitative methods, on the other hand, focus on measurements or amounts of the characteristics displayed by the people and events that the researcher studies.

These are the simplest distinction but elaborately qualitative research is multi-method in nature, involving interpretive, naturalistic approach to the subject matter. Basically, qualitative researchers investigate things in their natural settings by attempting to make sense of or interpreting phenomena in terms of the meanings that people bring to them. Critical for qualitative studies is the use and collection of various empirical materials such as case studies, interview and observations (Thomas, 2003). Quantitative researches, however, make use of numbers and statistical methods hence it is based on numerical measurements of specific aspects of phenomena. Through observation and measurement, quantitative researches seek explanation and predictions that will generalize to other places and places. Since objectivity is an utmost concern, careful sampling strategies and experimental designs aimed at producing generalizable results (Thomas, 2003).     

Qualitative studies make use of a purposeful sampling approach based on the decided forms of data to be collected. The idea behind qualitative sampling that will help the researcher understand the problem and the research question. As such, the idea does not necessarily suggest random sampling or selection of a large number of participants and sites which are typically found in quantitative research (Creswell, 2003). Quantitative researchers need to specify the characteristics of the population and the sampling procedure, referring to the availability of sampling frames. There is a need to consider the determination of the size of the population to identify the sampling design for this population (single or multi-stage) as well as the selection process for individuals (probability or non-probability). Decision to stratify the population before selecting samples is also considered (Creswell, 2003).

Data can now be qualitatively through setting the boundaries for the study, collecting information and then recording information through the establishment of a protocol. A qualitative researcher collect multiple forms of data while also spending a significant time in the natural setting to gather information. Examples of a form of data could be observation, interview, documents and/or audio-visual material, and these are basic for qualitative researches. Whereas, basic to quantitative studies is a survey method plan which also follows a standard format. The survey design provides the purpose and rationale of the study, indicating why the survey is the preferred type of data collection strategy for the study. There are also other quantitative methods that are commonly used such as the experimental method (Taylor, 2005; Creswell, 2003).

While qualitative studies make sense of the collected text and image data, quantitative studies analyze data firstly by reporting the response rate including the response bias. A descriptive analysis of the data shall be included for all the dependent and independent variables. Statistical elements are determined including means, standard deviations and range of scores for these variables. Aside from the statistical procedure, reliability checks of the scale to measure consistency are also considered. In qualitative data analysis, the researcher moves deeper and deeper into understanding the data, involving continual reflection through asking analytic questions and writing notes throughout the study. As it involves open-ended data, general questions are asked into developing an analysis from the information disclosed by the participants (Creswell, 2003; Thomas, 2003).  

While both qualitative and quantitative studies make use of visual figures and tables to clearly depict the findings, qualitative studies concludes by discussing the relevant themes as they emerge from the study. An interpretation of the meaning of the data collected and analyzed will be apparent. This could be the meaning that is derived from comparing the findings with the literature, confirm past informations or diverge from them or ask a new question to explore in the future. Quantitative studies conclude by establishing causality between variables or verifying the hypotheses postulated before an experiment although it can also ask a new question for further investigations, one of which is adjacent to the results of the study. These are done statistically and may also involve the implications of the results to the population. Nonetheless, quantitative studies are very particular on the accuracy of the inferences through adequate statistical power (Thomas, 2003; Taylor, 2005).

References

Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. Sage Publications.

Taylor, G. R. (2005). Integrating quantitative and qualitative methods in research. University Press of America.

Thomas, R. M. (2003). Blending qualitative & quantitative research methods in theses and dissertations. Corwin Press.