Quantitative vs. Qualitative research
It is always a philosophic question which type of research to choose. The answer to this question depends on the nature of the study, the type of necessary information and the availability of recourses (time, money and participants).
It is important to take into account that two types of reaches are just two different philosophies, however, they are not contrary. Moreover, both methods can be used in mixed-methods researches. This type of approach becomes more and more popular nowadays.
Characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research
Quantitative Qualitative
Objective Subjective
Research question: How many? Strength of association? Research questions: What? Why?
“Hard” science “Soft” science
Literature review must be …show more content…
in the form of numbers and statistics Written documents from field work, interviews, pictures, observations, objects, etc.
Data Analysis Deductive process, statistical procedures Inductive process: codes, themes, patterns to theory
Guidelines on the use of both types of research
Use Quantitative Research To: Use Qualitative Research To:
Recommend a final course of action Develop an initial understanding of an issue or program
Project results to a larger population Look for a range of ideas and feelings about something
Identify evidence regarding cause-and-effect relationships Understand different perspectives between groups and categories of people
Describe characteristics of relevant groups of people Uncover underlying motivations and factors that influence decision making and opinions
Test specific hypotheses and examine specific relationships Provide information needed to design a quantitative study
Identify and size market segments Explain findings from a quantitative
It is always a philosophic question which type of research to choose. The answer to this question depends on the nature of the study, the type of necessary information and the availability of recourses (time, money and participants).
It is important to take into account that two types of reaches are just two different philosophies, however, they are not contrary. Moreover, both methods can be used in mixed-methods researches. This type of approach becomes more and more popular nowadays.
Characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research
Quantitative Qualitative
Objective Subjective
Research question: How many? Strength of association? Research questions: What? Why?
“Hard” science “Soft” science
Literature review must be …show more content…
in the form of numbers and statistics Written documents from field work, interviews, pictures, observations, objects, etc.
Data Analysis Deductive process, statistical procedures Inductive process: codes, themes, patterns to theory
Guidelines on the use of both types of research
Use Quantitative Research To: Use Qualitative Research To:
Recommend a final course of action Develop an initial understanding of an issue or program
Project results to a larger population Look for a range of ideas and feelings about something
Identify evidence regarding cause-and-effect relationships Understand different perspectives between groups and categories of people
Describe characteristics of relevant groups of people Uncover underlying motivations and factors that influence decision making and opinions
Test specific hypotheses and examine specific relationships Provide information needed to design a quantitative study
Identify and size market segments Explain findings from a quantitative