So what is the difference between Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research?
Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an
understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights
into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative
research. Qualitative Research is also used to uncover trends in thought and
opinions, and dive deeper into the problem. Qualitative data collection methods vary
using unstructured or semi-structured techniques. Some common methods include
focus groups (group discussions), individual interviews, and
participation/observations. The sample size is typically small, and respondents are
selected to fulfill a given quota.
Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating
numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to
quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables – and generalize
results from a larger sample population. Quantitative Research uses measurable
data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research. Quantitative data collection
methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection methods.
Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys – online
surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews,
telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and
systematic observations.
While defining quantitative and qualitative research based on their uses and
purposes may be considered a practical approach for researcher, the difference
actually lies on their roots: Quality and quantity. Procedures, designs, concepts,
purposes and uses emanate from there. Example on qualitative research referring to
quality where problems are answered without generally focusing on quantity, are
descriptions (in words) coming form interviews, discussions or observations.
However when words are translated to quantity in order to describe or to generalize,
then the research is now called quantitatitive research. The bottom lines are the
questions: “What is/are ” for quality and” how much/many” for quantity.
Quantitative research is a deductive ,objective process of inquiry where the variables
in study are measured in numbers and analyzed using statistical procedures in order
to describe or make generalizations and reported in formal, impersonal language .
while..
• Qualitative research is an inductive, subjective process of inquiry done in natural
setting in order to build a complex, holistic picture , described in words, including the
detailed views of the informants are reported in informal, personal language.
Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Methods
Qualitative Methods Quantitative Methods
Methods include focus groups, in- Surveys, structured interviews &
depth interviews, and reviews of observations, and reviews of records
documents for types of themes or documents for numeric
information
Primarily inductive process used to Primarily deductive process used to
formulate theory or hypotheses test pre-specified concepts,
constructs, and hypotheses that
make up a theory
More subjective: describes a problem More objective: provides observed
or condition from the point of view of effects (interpreted by researchers)
those experiencing it of a program on a problem or
condition
Text-based Number-based
More in-depth information on a few Less in-depth but more breadth of
cases information across a large number of
cases
Unstructured or semi-structured Fixed response options
response options
No statistical tests Statistical tests are used for analysis
Can be valid and reliable: largely Can be valid and reliable: largely
depends on skill and rigor of the depends on the measurement device
researcher or instrument used
Time expenditure lighter on the Time expenditure heavier on the
planning end and heavier during the planning phase and lighter on the
analysis phase analysis phase
Less generalizable More generalizable
