Comparison Of Qualitative And Quantitative Research

Research is done to know the answers to the questions that we may have about a certain problem. It helps us gain knowledge and facilitates learning, it helps us understand various issues, share valuable information, and it also provides ways to prove theories. There are different types of research and some of these are quantitative and qualitative research, which are the two broad approaches of research that are commonly recognized. What are quantitative and qualitative research? How different are they from each other? And when do we use them? In an article by Surendran (2019), he stated that a quantitative research is a systematic investigation of a phenomena, in which a researcher gathers quantifiable data and performs mathematical or computational techniques. It deals with data that can be converted to numbers, and the basic method that is used to investigate these numerical data is called ‘statistics’. Leedy and Ormrod (2001) alleged that quantitative research is specific in its surveying and experimentation. According to Creswell (2003), the researcher primarily uses a post-positivist approach to develop knowledge when using this type of research. It focuses on gathering numerical data and then generalizing it across groups of people in order to explain a particular phenomenon, and it can be either descriptive or experimental. In contrast to this, a qualitative research does not involve numerical data, instead it involves discovery and exploratory. Qualitative research provides insights to a problem, and seeks to explain the ‘how and ‘why’. The data that is produced in this type of research is a descriptive data, which the researcher must investigate and interpret using systematic methods. In an article by Bhat (2019), this type of research acquires data through open-ended and conversational communication, and focuses on developing the understanding of a specific event with a holistic nature and subjective approach. It is also described by Leedy & Ormrod (2001) as less structured, as it formulates and builds new theories.

According to USC Libraries (2019), the characteristics of a quantitative research are as follows: it is objective, uses random sampling, the numerical data is gathered using structured techniques like using questionnaires or observations, with results that are based on a large sample size. Meanwhile, the characteristics of a qualitative research are: it uses inductive reasoning, uses unstructured or semi-structured techniques, uses purposive sampling, and it makes use of words, pictures, or objects as the elements of analysis. The methods used in a quantitative research are survey, correlational, and causal-comparative research. Whereas in qualitative research, the non-statistical methods commonly used are interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research, case study research, and phenomenological study. The time required for data collection, analysis and interpretation is lengthier in qualitative research compared to quantitative research, and expert knowledge is needed to interpret the obtained data where the researcher uses a descriptive, narrative style compared to quantitative research, which uses numbers and measurements to interpret the data. Though they may have strengths and limits, both quantitative and qualitative research are used to collect primary evidence in a variety of academic fields. They can be used in conjunction to gain data, whether statistical or numerical, and an anecdotal evidence.

References

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