Qualitative research is one of the two major approaches to research methodology in social sciences. Qualitative research involves an indepth understanding of human behaviour and the reasons that govern human behaviour. Unlike quantitative research, qualitative research relies on reasons behind various aspects of behaviour. Simply put, it investigates the why and how of decision making, as compared to what, where, and when of quantitative research. Hence, the need is for smaller but focused samples rather than large random samples, which qualitative research categorizes data into patterns as the primary basis for organizing and reporting results.
From Wikipedia for QUANTITATIVE (see link to the left):
Quantitative research is the systematic scientific investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships. Quantitative research is widely used in both the natural and social sciences, from physics and biology to sociology and journalism. It is also used as a way to research different aspects of education.
The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories and hypotheses pertaining to natural phenomena. The process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides the fundamental connection between empirical observation and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships.
The term quantitative research is most often used in the social sciences in contrast to qualitative research.
Examples of qualitative statements/observations:
The freezing point of water is colder than the boiling point.
The sun is very bright.
A liter of water is heavier than a liter of ethanol.
Examples of quantitative statements/observations:
The freezing point of water is 0 °C and the boiling point is 100 °C.
The sun's intensity on earth is 100 W m-2.
A liter of water weighs 1000 grams and a liter of ethanol weighs 789 grams.
Answer
This is only a very basic beginning but quantitative research uses numbers and qualitative uses diaries pictures etc. A census is quantitative or a table of the prison population. The advantages are that the same questions could be asked by another researcher and the same answers would be found or the survey could be repeated in ten years time, that is they could be replicated.In this way they are often described as reliable.Quantitative research could be called objective although it isnt always. quantitative research involves finding out about things that are there ie it is deductive. Qualitative research might be described as inductive.For example a researcher might wish to find out what it is like to be in prison. They might decide to get access to prisoners and ask the questions about their lives. They might even decide to get themselves into prison and observe from the inside. Qualitative research could be described as interpretative or subjective. It is probably not possible to replicate it therefore it could not be described as reliable but it may be more valid. Let us suppose for example that a table is produced showing what percentage of the population are married (quantitative) but then a researcher decides to interview some of those who had taken part in the survey and discovers that many of these marriages are ones of conveniences,or that they were arranged or that some people are only staying together for financial reasons or for the sake of the kids.(qualitative) This researcher would then be interpreting something which is regarded as a social fact..
First answer by JEK. Last edit by Julyann. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 35 [recommend question]
Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Jobs and Education > Education > What are the major differences between quantitative and qualitative research?
Our contributors said this page should be displayed for the questions below. (Where do these come from ) |
| If any of these are not a genuine rephrasing of the question, please help out and edit these alternates. |
