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Qualitative and Quantitative Research

The document discusses the key differences between qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding complex phenomena through subjective methods like interviews and observations, while quantitative research aims to measure and analyze phenomena using numerical data and statistical analysis.

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Vishika jain
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14 views

Qualitative and Quantitative Research

The document discusses the key differences between qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding complex phenomena through subjective methods like interviews and observations, while quantitative research aims to measure and analyze phenomena using numerical data and statistical analysis.

Uploaded by

Vishika jain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Qualitative research and quantitative

research are two broad categories of


research methods used in social sciences,
natural sciences, and other fields. Here are
their meanings:

1. Qualitative Research:
Qualitative research focuses on
exploring and understanding complex
phenomena from a subjective
perspective.
It aims to uncover insights, meanings,
and patterns that cannot be easily
quantified,often using methods such as
interviews, observations, and textual
analysis.
Qualitative research emphasizes
gathering rich, descriptive data to
capture the depth and complexity of
human experiences, beliefs, and
behaviors.
It typically involves smaller, non-random
samples and employs techniques like
thematic analysis or grounded theory to
analyze data.
Qualitative research is commonly used
to explore social and cultural
phenomena, understand individual
perspectives,and generate hypotheses
or theories.

2. Quantitative Research:
Quantitative research focuses
measuringand quantifying phenomena
using numerical data and statistical
analysis.
It aims to identify patterns, relationships,
and causal effects through empirical
observation and measurement, often
using methods such as experiments,
surveys, and statistical modeling.
Quantitative research emphasizes
precision,of tivity, and
generalizability,seeking to test
Quantitative research emphasizes
precision, objectivity, and
generalizability, seeking to test
hypotheses, make predictions, and draw
conclusions based on statistical
inference.

It typicaly involves larger, randomly


selected samples to ensure
representativeness and employs
statistical techniques such as regression
analysis or hypothesis testing.
Quantitative research is commonly used
to study phenomena that can be
quantified, such as behavior, attitudes,
and physical properties, and toestablish
causal relationships between variables.

In summary,qualitative research seeks to


understand the depth and richnessSof
phenomena through subjective exploration
and interpretation, while quantitative
research aims tc asure and analyze
nhenomena sing nImerical data and
When collecting and analyzing data,
quantitative research deals with numbers and
statistics, while qualitative research deals with
words and meanings. Both are important for
gaining different kinds of knowledge.

Quantitative research

Quantitative research is expressed in


numbers and graphs. It is used to test
or confirm theories and assumptions.
This type of research can be used to
establish generalizable facts about a
topic.

Common quantitative methods


include experiments, observations
recorded as numbers, and surveys with
closed-ended questions.

Quantitative research is at risk for


research biases including information
bias,omitted variable bias, sampling
bias, or selection bias.
Qualitative research

Qualitative research is expressed in


words. It is used to understand

concepts, thoughts or experiences. This


type of research enables you to gather
in-depth insights on topics that are not
well understood.

Common qualitative methods include


interviews with open-ended questions,
observations described in words, and
literature reviews that explore concepts
and theories.

Qualitative research is also at risk for


certain research biases including the
Hawthorne effect, observer bias, recall
bias, and social desirability bias.
The differences between
quantitative and qualitative
research
Quantitative and qualitative research use
different research methods to collect and
analyze data, andthey allow you to answer
different kinds of research questions.

Qualitative vs. quantitative research SScribbr


Qualitative research Quantitative research

Focus
Exploring ideas or formulating Testing hypotheses or theories
hypotheses/theories

Analysis Summarizing, categorizing, interpreting Math and statistical analysis

Expressed in Words NumberS, graphs, tables, fewer words

Sample Few respondents Many respondents

Questions Open-ended Close-ended or multiple choice

Understanding, context, complexity, Testing, measurement, objectivity,


Characterized by
subjectivity replicability

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