Running head: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH VS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH 1

Qualitative Research Vs Quantitative Research

Student’s Name

Institution

Date
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH VS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH 2

Qualitative Research Vs Quantitative Research

Qualitative research is a study carried out to inquire, develop and understand the

relationship between people and the environment. On the other hand, Quantitative research is the

method of study that is concerned with collection and generation of numerical data and facts in a

logical manner. More differences are shown in the table below:

Comparison Factor Qualitative research Quantitative research

 Primary data Focus groups, sampled interviews, Surveys, data retrieval from

collection theme reviews in documents documents, observations, structured

interviews.
 Theories/models Theories are generated through an Theories are tested/proved through a

inductive process for exploration. deductive process. The study is

The study is determined to have determined to justify an already

study over something new. predetermined theory.

 Approach Approach is subjective; study Approach is objective as it depends

problem is described from the on the observation of the researcher.

perception of researcher.
 Human Responses have either structured or Responses are fixed to given options.

responses semi-structured options to choose. Respondents in quantitative research

Respondents in this case have the are often given options to select as

flexibility to give responses and are answers and therefore have no option

not tied to given options. to give their flexible views.

 Validity and Depending on the researcher’s skills, Depending on the tool used to carry

Reliability it can be valid and at the same time out the research, it can be valid and

reliable. If the skills and rigor are up reliable also. If a researcher makes a

to the standard then viable or rather wrong choice of a tool or equipment,

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH VS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH 3

valid results will be found and hence then his results will be invalid and

being reliable in the long run. unreliable but if the right tool is

selected then the best results will be

realized.
 Sample size Determined by purposive sampling Determined by random sampling with

and can be smaller. big samples used.

 Generalization Less generalizable as the sample More generalizable because the

size doesn’t represent the whole sample size can be large enough to

population; it is small. represent a whole population.

References
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH VS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH 4

Difference between qualitative and quantitative research • IFF International. (2017, November

27). Retrieved from http://www.iff-international.com/2017/10/difference-between-

qualitative-and-quantitative-research/

Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research. (2018, November 19). Retrieved

from https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-

research.html

Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.orau.gov/cdcynergy/soc2web/content/phase05/phase05_step03_deeper_qual

itative_and_quantitative.htm

Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research. (2018, June 12). Retrieved from

https://www.publichealthnotes.com/differences-qualitative-quantitative-research/