Differences Between Quantitative Research And Qualitative Research

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

This paper primarily concerns qualitative research, but we were asked to compare both qualitative and quantitative methods. During comparison, there are many noted differences in both study designs, but not many similarities. Qualitative research uses a subjective approach with a large sample population. It collects non-statistical data, using an unstructured or semi-structured technique (Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018). Quantitative research uses an objective approach and large, random, sampling to ask opinions in a structured way. The findings of quantitative studies are conclusive and used to recommend a final course of action (Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018). While it is hard to see similarities between the two, both methods aim to find a solution to a problem or question, the researcher doing the study may affect the outcome and an analysis of the collected data must be done (Souza, 2017). What many don’t realize is the connection amongst the two. You can say, both types of research build upon one another, meaning quantitative studies can quantify results found in qualitative research (Souza, 2017).

Qualitative and quantitative research methods are frequently used when conducting psychological research. However, each has a different objective and involve a different procedure. When an individual or researcher attempts to test their hypothesis, it is imperative that they know the difference in the two. Knowing the difference will help scientists

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

The researcher must set a clear hypothesis, showing the relationship between independent and dependent variables. In quantitative research tools are used to collect numerical data. The information can be gathered using questionnaires or some type of equipment. Quantitative data is efficient at testing a hypothesis, but can miss contextual detail. In quantitative research, the researcher is often objectively separated from the subject matter. One of the ways quantitative research is different from qualitative research is that quantitative research requires extraction of large amounts of statistical data. Qualitative research is focused in on personal viewpoints and opinions of a smaller number of subjects (typically). Qualitative research can take more time than quantitative research (McCusker & Gunaydin,

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 uses data obtained through methods such face- to- face interviews, observations, and focus groups. Data is analyzed by looking for trends and patterns. Quantitative research use numerical and statics to process the answer specific questions. Statistics used to support assessment of research. Analysis techniques are used to report are affected by the questions addressed and type of information that is expected in the research discoveries (Wakoff, 2007).

Referring to Writing Assignment I, consider the clinical research question (PICOT) that you developed and consider how this research question might be asked in three (3) different types of question format (Appendix A, pages 537-538).

Qualitative research is about non numerical data and can be defined as a type of research that is used to understand a given behavior, and it provides a general knowledge of the issue to develop hypotheses. This kind of research adds to the nursing practice, science, and knowledge, by filling in the gaps where quantitative knowledge fails to explain a health problem. In providing a hypothesis, it sets the grounds for other studies to be done. It is the kind of research that provides clinicians the why for implementation of a given practice. It does not provide cause and effect. Qualitative research gets at the how and why of the story, in ways that quantitative research cannot. The key concept of the study is often referred to as central phenomenon

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

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.

Moreover, the quantitative method is used by researches who want to discover statistics and facts by analyzing data in a numerical way. Unlike this article, the qualitative method is used by researches who want to gather data through observations and interviews based on what the participants say or do. The qualitative method seeks to explore and collect opinions and motivations on the research topic instead of collecting numerical data.

Researchers will gain insight on numerical, statistical data when studying quantitative studies (Polit & Beck, 2017). Whereas, qualitative research will show human behaviors and experiences (Polit & Beck, 2017).

“Whilst quantitative research may be mostly used for testing theory it can also be used for exploring an area and generating hypotheses and theory. Similarly qualitative research can be used for testing hypotheses and theories even though it is mostly used for theory generation” (Hughes, 2006). Both of these designs may be similar with testing theory, they are also similar in the tools that they use and how the data is analyzed. “Qualitative data often includes quantification (eg statements such as more than, less than, most as well as specific numbers). Quantitative (ie questionnaire) approaches can collect qualitative data through open ended questions” (Hughes, 2006). These similarities are what make these two study designs compatible for each other.