Introduction
Along with qualitative and quantitative methodologies in research, the trend of combining both qualitative and quantitative methodologies is widely used and increasingly articulated, attached to research practice and recognized as the third major research approach or research paradigm (Johnson, Onwuegbuzie & Turner, 2007).
As cited by Anaf and Sheppard (2007), Key in 1997 suggested the theory and meaning, qualitative and quantitative methodologies are distinct. A qualitative methodology’s focus of research is in its nature and essence. The goal of investigation of qualitative methodology is understanding, description and discovery. It usually involves small, non-random, and theoretical population. Data collection takes into account researcher as the primary instrument, and sometimes involve interviews and observations. The mode analysis of qualitative method is inductive which leads to findings that are comprehensive and holistic.
It was also claimed that a quantitative method’s focus of research usually involves how many or the quantity. The goal of investigation of a quantitative method is usually about prediction, control and confirmation. It usually involves large, random and representative sample. Data collection that are usually used are inanimate instruments, surveys and questionnaires. The mode of analysis is usually deductive and lead to a precise and reductionist way of findings as cited by Anaf and Sheppard (2007).
As described above, if by features
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
Research, no matter what field, is often conducted and analysed in accordance with two basic approaches: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative approach aims to test a hypothesis and examine the relationship through generating numerical data or other information that is than converted into numbers, whereas the qualitative approach is more exploratory, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the research subject. Through breaking down and examining the key features in each of these approaches it is evident that although they both begin with a problem the researcher aims to understand they fundamentally differ. The table below shows side by side comparisons, highlighting the differences that can be used to differentiate these approaches, described broadly across three main categories.
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).
By contrast, the main purpose corresponded with qualitative research is to make understanding with regard to participants. Moreover, qualitative research has many different ways of collecting information, but the best ways of qualitative research is to approach the sources of information, it is due to make the deeper understanding of the issues (Easterby-Smith et al, 2002; Wood et al., 2010, p. 59). In addition, quantitative and qualitative both were also many researchers debated. For example, quantitative research is mostly experimental and qualitative research is mainly non-experimental (Leeds-Hurwitz, 1995, p.50), (see table 5). While, various researchers also combined two methods for researching, which was called that “mixed-methods”. Creswell, (2003) have stated
Researchers are sometimes using Quantitative and Qualitative research methodologies interchangeably, or all three of the methodologies including the mixed approach, Creswell (2009). However, the most distinctive differences between the two is the application used, or the design, using words for qualitative analysis, and
Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative methods on each of the elements listed. Please use scholarly, academic literature to support your response.
It is common for researchers to compare qualitative and quantitative research methods. Quantitative methods originate from positivist and post- positivist research paradigms. Also, the methods objectively examine statistical data to determine cause and affect and often use generalizable data. There are various methods used in quantitative research such as surveys,
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).
Business researchers utilize various forms of approaches to analyze and obtain information and data, and two of the most popular approaches used are the qualitative research approach and quantitative research approach. Each approach can be beneficial or in some cases may cause inconclusive results depending on the type of research being conducted and what the nature of the study is. The following will assess two different peer reviewed articles: one which uses a qualitative approach and the other a quantitative approach. It
Methods of quantitative research includes surveys and data, which is then presented as statistics. It is then collected by a big group such as the Census. The downfalls of quantitative methods of research include being that it offers less depth in information as they generally place emphasis on a much larger number of cases. The outcomes of quantitative research are more often than not, used to present findings to a wide or whole population (Punch, 1998). Qualitative methods of research is essentially gathering information and data, by creating focus groups, and conducting field research and intensive reviews.
The quantitative approach to research has numerous principles that make it unique compared to other approaches. In this paper, I will break down many of the
There are many benefits of utilizing quantitative methods in research. The benefits are precise numerical data, previously constructed theories can be tested and validated, results can be generated from sufficient random samples sizes, and less time is needed for data analysis. The weaknesses of quantitative methods are that due to the focus of the theory used the researcher may miss phenomena occurring, or the information gained may be too general to be applied to the individuals. The other weaknesses are colleagues may not understand the categories used, and colleagues may not understand the theories used by the researchers. (Zikmund et al, 2010) Qualitative Methods
There is a debate between Quantitative and Qualitative methodologies to compare which is more appropriate or which produces better insight or which is best
Quantitative research is considered to be the use of numbers. In the use of a quantitative study, the researcher test objective theories by examining the conjunction among variables. The variables used can be measured on instruments, so that numbered data can be used and analyzed (Creswell, 2008). Qualitative research is mainly used to explore and understand human or social problems. The process of qualitative studies includes questions and procedures; and the data is collected byway of participant’s settings. It allows the researcher to study an issue in great detail and depth, as well as not allowing data collection to be constrained by predetermined data. Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative methods and it involves philosophical assumptions. This form of study includes collecting and analyzing data from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. It is believed that mixed methods research is a great method for practicing researchers who would like to bridge the schism between quantitative and qualitative research (Onwuegbuzie & Leech, 2004a). Even though these methods are different, they all involve philosophical assumptions and distinct methods or procedures (Cresswell, 2009).
There has been a widespread of debate in recent years regarding the quantitative and qualitative research methods, wether one or the other has to be emerged as superior. Although there have been so many theories and conclusions, this paper intends to discuss on the similarities and differences between the qualitative and quantitative research methods. Also the effect of foundational belief system, sampling approaches, data collection strategies and which data analysis procedure is suitable for qualitative and quantitative research method is discussed. Finally the paper is concluded by discussing the analysed data.