QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

Quantitative research is a form of research

that relies on the
methods of natural sciences, which
produces numerical data
and hard facts. It aims at establishing
cause and effect
relationship between two variables by
using mathematical,
computational and statistical methods. The
research is also
known as empirical research as it can
be accurately and
precisely measured. The data collected
by the researcher
can be divided into categories or put into
rank, or it can be
measured in terms of units of
measurement. Graphs and
tables of raw data can be constructed
with the help
quantitative research, making it easier for
the researcher to
analyse the results
Quantitative research is a form of research
that relies on the
methods of natural sciences, which
produces numerical data
and hard facts. It aims at establishing
cause and effect
relationship between two variables by
using mathematical,
computational and statistical methods. The
research is also
known as empirical research as it can
be accurately and
precisely measured. The data collected
by the researcher
can be divided into categories or put into
rank, or it can be
measured in terms of units of
measurement. Graphs and
tables of raw data can be constructed
with the help
quantitative research, making it easier for
the researcher to
analyse the results
Quantitative Research is a form of research which produces numerical data and hard facts. This
is an inquiry into an identified problem based on testing a theory so it can be accurately and
precisely measured. Research is based primarily on deductive forms of logic and theories and
hypotheses. The goal is to develop generalizations that contribute to theory that enable the
researcher to predict, explain, and understand some phenomenon. The data collected by the
researcher can be divided into categories or put into rank, or it can be measured in terms of units
of measurement. Graphs and tables of raw data can be constructed with the help quantitative
research, making it easier for the researcher to analyze the results. Experiments, correlational
studies and surveys are mainly quantitative in nature.

Quantitative Research: An Operational

Description
 Purpose: explain, predict or control
phenomena through
focused collection and analysis of
numerical data.
 Approach: deductive; tries to be
value-free/has
objectives/ is outcome-oriented.
 Hypotheses: Specific, testable, and
stated prior to
study.
 Lit. Review: extensive; may
significantly influence a
particular study.
 Setting: controlled to the degree
possible.
 Sampling: uses largest
manageable
random/randomized sample, to allow
generalization of
results to larger populations.
 Measurement: standardized, numerical;
"at the end"
 Design and Method: Strongly
structured, specified in
detail in advance; involves intervention,
manipulation
and control groups; descriptive,
correlation,
experimental.
 Data Collection: via instruments,
surveys, experiments,
semi-structured formal interviews, tests
or
questionnaires.
 Data Analysis: raw data is numbers;
at end of study,
usually statistical.
 Data Interpretation: formulated at end
of study; stated
as a degree of certainty
Qualitative research is one which
provides insights and
 understanding of the problem setting. It is
an unstructured,
exploratory research method that studies
highly complex
phenomena
Qualitative Research is one which provides insights and understanding of the problem setting. It
is an unstructured and exploratory research method that studies highly complex phenomena.
Qualitative research is used to gain an in-depth understanding of human behavior, experience,
attitudes, intentions, and motivations, on the basis of observation and interpretation, to find out
the way people think and feel. Research is based on inductive forms of logic; categories of
interest emerge from informants (subjects), rather than being identified a priori by the researcher;
it is a form of research in which the researcher gives more weight to the views of the
participants. Case study, Focus Groups, ethnography, historical and phenomenology are the
types of qualitative research.

Qualitative Versus Quantitative Research

Criteria Qualitative Research Quantitative Research

Purpose To understand & interpret
human behavior or
psychological phenomena.
Group Studied Smaller & not randomly selected.
Variables Study of the whole, not variables.
Type of Data Collected Words, images, or objects.
Form of Data Collected Qualitative data such as open-
ended responses, interviews,
participant observations, field
notes, & reflections.
Type of Data Analysis Identify patterns, features, themes.
Objectivity and Subjectivity is expected.
Subjectivity
Role of Researcher Researcher & their biases may be
known to participants in the
study, & participant
characteristics may be known to
the researcher.
To test hypotheses, look at cause
& effect, & make predictions.
Larger & randomly selected.
Specific variables studied
Numbers and statistics.
Quantitative data based on
precise measurements using
structured & validated data-
collection instruments.
Identify statistical relationships.
Objectivity is critical.
Researcher & their biases are not
known to participants in the study,
& participant characteristics are
deliberately hidden from the
researcher (double blind studies).
Results Particular or specialized findings
that is less generalizable.
Scientific Method Exploratory or bottom–up: the
researcher generates a new
hypothesis and theory from the
data collected.
Most Common Explore, discover, & construct.
Research
Objectives
Focus Wide-angle lens; examines the
breadth & depth of phenomena.
Nature of Observation Study behavior in a natural
environment.
Nature of Reality Multiple realities; subjective.
Final Report Narrative report with
contextual description &
direct quotations from
research participants.
Generalizable findings that can be
applied to other populations.
Confirmatory or top-down: the
researcher tests the hypothesis and
theory with the data.
Describe, explain, & predict.
Narrow-angle lens; tests a
specific hypotheses.
Study behavior under
controlled conditions;
isolate causal effects.
Single reality; objective.
Statistical report with
correlations, comparisons of
means, & statistical
significance of findings.