Question

List key differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods? Discuss in the context of research purpose, design, approach, tools, samples and analysis. Use a sample research question in your discussion of both approaches. [

Answer 1

Answer:-

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.

Qualitative MethodsQualitative Methods	QuantitativeQuantitative Methods Methods
Methods include focus groups, in-depth interviews, and reviews of documents for types of themes	Surveys, structured interviews & observations, and reviews of records or documents for numeric information
Primarily inductive process used to formulate theory or hypotheses	Primarily deductive process used to test pre-specified concepts, constructs, and hypotheses that make up a theory
More subjective: describes a problem or condition from the point of view of those experiencing it	More objective: provides observed effects (interpreted by researchers) of a program on a problem or condition
Text-based	Number-based
More in-depth information on a few cases	Less in-depth but more breadth of information across a large number of cases
Unstructured or semi-structured response options	Fixed response options
No statistical tests	Statistical tests are used for analysis
Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on skill and rigor of the researcher	Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on the measurement device or instrument used
Time expenditure lighter on the planning end and heavier during the analysis phase	Time expenditure heavier on the planning phase and lighter on the analysis phase
Less generalizable	More generalizable