Differences Between Qualitative And Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research is a systematic process by which we attempt to answer a question or resolve a problem of a phenomenon. Qualitative research is non-experimental in its approach to conducting research. Qualitative research stays within the phenomenological paradigm meaning it is subjective in nature, uses inductive analysis method. Its purpose is to explore, explain, and describe a problem and uses multiple strategies of inquiry to collect data. Also, Qualitative research is concerned with finding the answers to questions that begin with why? How? In what way? For example;

According to Yin (2003), there are two types of research approach. This includes quantitative research approach and qualitative research approach. A quantitative research emphasizes on transforming the data to numbers, quantities and statistics to formulate facts and to uncover patterns in a research. It addresses research purposes through empirical analysis that involve numerical measurement, the relationship between variables and analysis approaches (Zikmund et al., 2010). The sample size being investigated is typically large (Anderson, 2006). Quantitative research mainly uses questionnaires, surveys and other equipment to collect numerical or measurable data (Anderson, 2006). On the other hand, a qualitative research typically emphasizes words more than numbers

Quantitative research is an approach that uses theory, variables, measurements and statistical analyses to test theories (Creswell, 2013). Qualitative research is an approach that does not rely on proving a theory, a set of variables, or running an experiment. Rather, a qualitative research approach allows for exploring and understanding meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. A qualitative approach allows for meaning and explanations to develop through, interviews, review of artifacts, and observations (Neuman, 2002).

In research the two main used approaches are qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research represents the study of perceptions, emotions and experiences in the direction of understanding the human behaviour therefore from a subjective perspective ( R). On the other side the quantitative research is expressed numerical, measurable, appropriate for statistics defined as being objective and can be used for general public (R). Another difference, according to Moule (2015) is that qualitative approach is usually using a smaller sampling size for the study than the quantitative approach. As the qualitative research is inductive, the process is orientated and using a holistic view, allows the researcher

Qualitative research collects non-numerical data to describe events or phenomena. On the other hand, quantitative research uses numeric data with statistical methods to investigate phenomena. (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015, p. 609). Qualitative studies address human responses to particular situations or events with an emphasis on interviews and observations. The results are reported from the participant’s point of view. Qualitative studies can be conducted when a phenomenon is unknown to obtain a general idea. Also, they can be used when an event is well known, but certain areas lack details or depth (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015). Contrarily, quantitative studies measure phenomena with the use of scales, tests, scores and statistics. Quantitative research designs are multiple. They can range from descriptive studies, which are used to predict relationships between variables, to randomized control trials (RCT). RCTs are used to describe cause and effect relationship between variables. Quantitative studies report results using a uniform format with preselected variables (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015).

Qualitative research key characteristics are the researcher immerse her/himself in the setting, contexts of inquiry are not contrived they are natural, want the subjects to speak for themselves, attend to the experience as a what not as separate variables, these is no one general method, the process entail appraisal about what was studied and it implies a direct concern with expertise as it is lived or felt or undergone (Hughes, 2006)

Qualitative research methods have the options of using different methods to gather data on complex subjects, compare to quantitative its provides the options of gathering more detailed information to explain phenomenon and complex issues, and it is cost efficient (Creswell, 2015).

A qualitative study addresses the complexity of human experience, focusing on the big picture (Rebar & Gersch, 2015); while a quantitative study breaks a problem down into small pieces and focuses on specific parts to see how they all relate (Rebar & Gersch, 2015). Qualitative methods focus on subjective information, and never try to predict or control the phenomenon of interest (Rebar & Gersch, 2015); on the other hand, quantitative methods focus on statistics and objective information, and can yield predictions and control (Rebar & Gersch, 2015).

Qualitative research is used to find out and understand the beliefs of individuals. Knowledge attitudes, behavior and interactions. It produces non- numerical data, e.g. How a patient describes pain instead of a measure of pain. In health care, qualitative techniques have been commonly used in health care in documenting the experiences of chronic illness and in studies about how an organization functions. Quantitative research provides statistical

Qualitative research generates information that is very detailed and or originality. It is done in a normal social setting and gets to a better understanding of participants. The method used to collect data is by observation from interviews. Qualitative research is usually criticized for lacking scientific demands.

Quantitative research is a type of research that involves the use of numerical data and is used to obtain information. This involves testing a hypothesis or trying to discover correlations and relationships.

Thicker description of what is being studied, and methods are designed to capture life as participants experience it rather than predetermined catagories created by the researcher.

Qualitative research is investigations which use sensory methods such as listening or observing to gather and organize data into patterns or themes. Qualitative research deals more often with language than numbers. Methods of gathering information might be focus groups or interview panels. It uses a flexible research design and utilizes an inductive process to formulate a theory. The idea is to get in depth information from the participants. The purpose is to understand and interpret social interactions.

Qualitative research is a broad term for exploratory methodologies described as ethnographic, anthropological, naturalistic, field or participant observation research. It addresses the significance of looking at variables in the natural setting in which they are found in research. Relations between variables are essential parts of the research. Detailed data is collected through open ended questions from the respondents. The interviewer is a fundamental part of the research (Jacob, 1988).

There are many differences between quantitative and qualitative research. Such things like: quantitative research provides only variables that can predict specific results but it does not tell us very much about how the variables affect an individual’s life course. Qualitative research adversely provides an enriched understanding of characteristics, qualities, attributes, and environmental factors affecting life events. Qualitative analysis can give understanding to the meaning of a specific characteristic, entity, or phenomenon within a context, instead of only measuring how much is present.