Quantitative Vs. Qualitative

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).

For quite a while there has been some discussion around which method of distinctions between Qualitative research and quantitative research. This has been fired in later years with some thinking that a combination of the two is best practice especially in social

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,

Quantitative and qualitative methods differ from one another as to their research design elements as listed below:

Quantitative research methods are best because they use quantity data to obtain results from the population of interest. This for example can be bases on what the majority feels. The method uses measures in the view and opinion of others and who feels them the most or less. This method can be chosen at random representing the population of interest. They collect their data by telephone interviews, online questionnaires, and sometimes on the street. This is usually the final and best method to go to when choosing a course of action. This is best to research something further and usually comes after Qualitative research.

QUALATATIVE RESEARCH (about attitudes and beleifs), QUANTATIVE RESEARCH (measured in figures that can be measured)

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).

Research methodology generally involves qualitative research or quantitative research, or a mixture of both. A quantitative research methodology involves the analysis of data collected from a large number of surveys or interviews. On the other hand, methodologies for qualitative research often involve using surveys or interviews to collect information about people — their attitudes, experiences and behaviors.

There are different ways in which researcher defines quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitative research is a social research that uses experimental methods, questionnaires, numerical data and explains observations usually in tables or charts from. Quantitative research can define the relationship between two or more studies.

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.

Qualitative and quantitative methods allow researchers to investigate, explore and inquire the nature of the phenomenon being studied. It is important that the researcher develops a clear understanding of the problem and design a plan to investigate it (Cresswell, 1998, para. 1). There are a variety of research methods; nevertheless, it is important to consider which research method is appropriate for the study. Qualitative research focuses on human experiences while quantitative research relies on numbers, measurements, and testing. Nevertheless, qualitative and quantitative methods use similar approaches to conduct research and collect data. For example, observations and interviews are approaches used in both research designs;

Quantitative research involves collecting data, which can be expressed numerically. The design is well structured with pre-determined outcomes. It frequently involves testing a hypothesis, which then can be analysed from the data deductively using statistical methods. Using numerical data is easier to analysis mathematical, so larger sample sizes can be utilised compared to qualitative research, therefore giving a better representative of the population; along with simplifying the process of making a generalisation. Another advantage is that studies can easily compare to similar findings (Kruger, 2003). The disadvantages are the results are limited and might not provide a proper understanding of the topic. Also, statistics and leading questions can be used to give a false representation of the data when summarising.

Quantitative Research on the other hand focuses more on counting, classifying features and constructing statistical models and figures to explain what is observed (Experiment resources, 2009). Qualitative data cannot be mathematically analysed in the same comprehensive way as quantitative results and therefore can only give a guide to general trends. Quantative experiments if designed properly, rule out personal opinion and judgment, and provide results rather than observations that can be viewed as real and unbiased (Given, 2008). Quantative research also allows for replication, unlike qualitative research design, which is usually unique and cannot be exactly recreated. (Martyn Shuttleworth, 2008). Quantitative Research makes use of tools such as questionnaires, surveys and other equipment to collect numerical or measurable data and what will most likely appear in your discussion are tables containing data in the form of numbers and statistics (Experiment resources, 2009). Quantitative research design is also “an excellent way of finalising results and proving or disproving a hypothesis and because the structure has not changed for centuries, it is standard across many scientific fields and disciplines” (Martyn Shuttleworth, 2008).