Question

When is qualitative data particularly useful?

Select one:

a. All of these

b. To explore nuances and complexities not otherwise measurable with quantitative research

c. None of these

d. To improve the understanding ofconcepts measured previously or simultaneously in quantitative research

e. To increase understanding of concepts to be measured later using quantitative research

Answer 1

a. All of these

Qulalitative data sometimes are useful enough to develop ideas for quantitative research, which can be measured later (option e). eg- The spread of a water born disease and household water use, another example by understanding pattern of a population based on gender, education and age in a society, the economic aspects in the community can be predicted through quantitative research. The concepts measured using quantitative data will give a clearer picture when qualitative data are incorporated into it. This will give more meaning to a quantitative data. For example death of wild animals in human areas near forest is counted quantitatively. It shows a large variation , in some villages the number of death are very high. To understand underlying reasons behind the mortality qualitative aspects has to be incoporated.Thus complex subjects can be revelaed by merging both the type of data ie qualitative and quantitative (Option d and b).