Question

1. What is the overall difference between qualitative research studies and quantitative research studies?
2. Why are qualitative studies typically not generalizable from the sample to the population of study

3.Why are applied studies typically not generalizable from the sample to the population of study?

4. Explain why there are no independent/dependent variables in qualitative research studies?
5. What purpose does theory serve in research and if the article states a theory where would you find it?

Answer 1

Qualitative research is used to gain an in-depth understanding of human behaviour, experience, attitudes, intentions, and motivations, on the basis of observation and interpretation, to find out the way people think and feel. Qualitative research is exploratory. As opposed to quantitative research which is conclusive. Cause and effect cannot be proved in qualitative research. For example lived experience of people affected with covid 19 infection. A telephonic interview can be conducted to study the phenomena.

Quantitative research aims at establishing cause(independent variable) and effect(dependent variable) 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. For example Prevalence of depression among elderly and its correlates.

Qualitative research	Quantitative research
elies on verbal narrative like spoken or written data	uses logical or statistical observations to draw conclusions.
Small sample size	large sample size required
Inductive means  moves from specific observations to broad generalizations	deductve reasoning from one or more statements (premises) to reach a logical conclusion
Non-structured techniques like In-depth interviews, group discussions	Non-structured techniques like In-depth interviews, group discussions
No numerical data no statistics	numeric data so statistics involved
purposive sampling (non probability sampling) used	both probabilty and nonprobability sampling used
exploring and discovering ideas	cause and effect relationship between variables.
Generalizability less	More Generalizability

The word 'generalizability' is defined as the degree to which the findings can be applied from the study sample to the entire population. This is possible when the sample is randomly drawn from the population. Quantitative studies adopt randomization in sampling so every individual has equal chance of getting selected into the study. Thus quantitative studies are more generalizable. A representative sample from population is needed for generalization.

Most qualitative research studies are used to study a specific issue or phenomenon in a certain population or ethnic group, of a focused locality in a particular context, hence generalizability of qualitative research findings is usually not expected . The approach of analytical generalization where one judges the extent to which the findings in one study can be generalized to another under similar theoretical, and the proximal similarity model, where generalizability of one study to another is judged by similarities between the time, place, people and other social contexts.

Similarly Applied research is used to solve a specific, practical issue affecting an individual or group. It is also situation specific.So generalization is possible under such similar situations.For example which type of intervention will reduce anxiety in hospitalised children.

Theory is integral to research and research is integral to theory. Theory guides the development of many research questions and research helps generate new theories. Theory develops as new knowledge gains from research. Existing theories help to proceed research. Further research helps to refine existing theories.There are theory testing research(deductive) and theory building research(inductive).

Literature review provides the theretical aspects.There are 2 aspects of literature review process and product. Process is literature search where as product is the synthesis part of review. In systematic review studies results reveal theory.