Qualitative and quantitative are the two general approaches used to collect and report sociological information. Qualitative research is used to grasp a larger understanding of opinions, motives and explanations whereas quantitative research is used for generating numerical or statistical data. Both approaches have benefits and limitations and suitability depends on the type of study being carried out.
Qualitative research is exploratory. It provides help to develop ideas or hypothesis. In addition it can be used to uncover deeper meaning to people’s experiences, cultures and individual views on social topics. This type of data cannot be measured or counted it is collected and interpreted through observation and written reports. Qualitative
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For example using two different sample groups of children and comparing the developmental effects of sole parent upbringing and joint parent upbringing. The results would be presenting numerically such as graphs, pie charts, tables. Other types of data collection include, field and case studies, experiments.
In comparison to qualitative approach, quantitative data can be generalised as it can be used across a larger scale of variables, for example using larger amount of participants. It is commonly used in the human science field of research because it is replicable making it reliable. It provides numerical, ratings and statistical findings which minimises any bias outcome. On the other hand the quantitative approach is closed to interpretation and doesn’t work well in recognising new
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The range of different data presented allowed for a better comprehensive explanation. An example was the use of a timeline showing the developments and impacts on the Mental Health Act (MHA). This data collection showed the range of events that occurred between 1983 and 2014. This type of data collection method is most appropriate to show clear and specific information. The report showed a number of quantitative research methods many arranged in table and graph form. A particular table displays the number of UK regions who offered assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 in April 2014. The data was broken down into number of locations per region. Table format permits easier analytical evaluation, it is a suitable way to display numerical data rather instead of visual comparisons. The range of graphs used included line, bar and box plot graphs. This type of data method is used to show relationships and trends and to compare and simplify complex numerical data. In contrast to tables, graphs are quicker to examine and understand overall trends and comparisons. Data mapping was an additional method used in this report. It outlined a map of England, using different shades of blue to show the rates of Mental Health Act inspections in different regions of England. This is another useful way to display numerical data making it easier to
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.).
Qualitative research is one of the main types of the scientific investigation. The qualitative research seeks to explore the research 's issue from the perspectives of the involved population. Qualitative research is effective for gaining culturally specific information about particular social contexts and identifying intangible social factors. The most popular methodologies of this research are consensual qualitative research, grounded theory, phenomenology and heuristic inquiry. Since all these methods have certain differences, their comparison and contrast will be helpful for improving proficiency in qualitative research.
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...
...oncerned with the quality of research. This is not the case. Quantitative research seeks to provide answers scientifically; it does not make assumptions from its findings. Qualitative research aims to evaluate things, in an attempt to look at the bigger picture, providing more understanding.
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...
Qualitative research is an approach that attempts to situate an activity that locates the observer in the world by providing the study to occur in their natural setting and by attempting to make sense of, or interpret information (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005). A characteristic of qualitative research is to use a variety of empirical materials such as personal experience, interviews, and questionnaires. It is imperative to understand the task at hand and how to fully carry out the study when using a qualitative research approach in order to find out the information needed. One view of qualitative research is it involves examining individual’s experiences and documenting those experiences in detail (Jones, 2011). By documenting these observations the researcher is ensuring validity in his or her data and giving the correct creditability to those who participated in the study.
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
1. Quantitative methods are mostly used through numerical data, which means it is countable and it comes from a data collection. So I personally think,the best topics to be studied would be, students not finishing their studies or the increasing number of minor 's crimes. On the other hand, qualitative methods could be used to formulate new research questions when a quantitative method research seems difficult to generate new hypotheses and ideas. The qualitative methods present facts and figures through observations and interviews. The topics I would be studied for qualitative methods are people 's experience with food and body image and also one of the most important one why people decide to take loans in order to pay their education.
Quantitative research may be seen as the less contentious of the two because it is more closely aligned with what is viewed as the classical scientific paradigm. Quantitative research involves gathering data that is absolute, for example numerical data so that it can be examined as unbiased as possible. The main idea behind quantitative research is that it is able to separate things easily so that they can be counted. The researcher generally has a clear idea of what is being measured before they start measuring it, and their study is set up with controls. Qualitative research on the other hand is a more subjective form of research, in which the research allows themselves to introduce their own bias to help form a more complete picture. Qualitative research may be necessary in situations where it is unclear of what is exactly being looked for in a study, while quantitative research generally knows exactly what it is looking for. Questionnaires and surveys are quantitative socio-legal research, because it is the collection of numerical data, or data that can be easily being turned into a numerical form. In terms of analysing quantitative data, Excel is the b...
Qualitative research answers open-ended questions such as “why” or “how”. It helps me to remember this by seeing how closely the word qualitative resembles the word quality. Qualitative research is looking for qualities instead of sheer numbers. “Qualitative research methods allow research subjects to answer questions in their own words or even in ways that do not use words.” (Kolb, Bonita, 29)
A quantitative research method is different from the qualitative approach. And it is best used to conduct community science observations on big groups. However, quantitative approach is conducted by means of a non-natural setting and an extensive research of statistical records. This method uses observations that will have a quantity value and comparison. Quantitative research is conducted by using questionnaires filled with questions that relate to mathematical expressions. Research field work begins with a simple questionnaire which will include questions related to mathematical computations, such as, number of hours or days it takes to complete a task. A good example given by Bates & Cozby (2012), “You might take the quantitative approach by developing a questionnaire that you would ask a sample to teenagers to complete. You would ask about the number of hours they work, the type of work they do, their levels of stress…” (Bates & Cozby, 2012, p. 114). This approach gathers data from historical information and databases, but never conducts analysis of the panorama in a natural
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.
Qualitative studies are slightly different in that they do not use large cohorts and they are not analyzing large data sets. Qualitative studies also look to answer question “why”. They use smaller numbers but go more in-depth with the small group they have. “In contrast, qualitative research involves looking at characteristics, or qualities, that cannot easily be reduced to numerical values. A qualitative researcher typically aims to examine the many nuances and complexities of a particular phenomenon” (Leedy & Ormrod, 2010, p. 94). Qualitative and Quantitative studies can be used separately or together in a mixed methodology.
Qualitative research: Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative aspects involving quality or kind. For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviour (i.e., why people think or do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of qualitative research. This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose. Other techniques of such research are word association tests, sentence completion tests, story completion tests and similar other projective techniques. Attitude or opinion research i.e., research designed to find out how people feel or what they think about a particular subject or institution is also qualitative research. Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behaviour. Through such research we can analyse the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or which make people like or dislike a particular
Another characteristic of qualitative research is that it is personal and contains very little scientific terminology. For example, the researchers seek to understand human issues and problems or why humans behave in a certain manner. This type of empathetic approach in a quantitative research is a very unique in characteristic. Also, in a qualitative research, researches interact with the participants or sample, this is very important because they need to observe their behavior. As a result, it causes the research to be more up close and personal. This type of approach is what makes a qualitative research unique or different from quantitative research. (Smith &...