Qualitative or Quantitative

Qualitative or Quantitative? That is the question.

When examining the differences between quantitative and qualitative research, the two main schools of research, one must first look at the basic definitions of each. Quantitative meaning “that is or may be estimated by quantity” research deals with numbers and statistics (Dictionary.com). Qualitative, which means “pertaining to or concerned with quality” research deals more with content. Differences between the two can be summarized into four categories: “epistemological assumptions, theoretical frameworks, methodological procedures and research methods” (Yilmaz 2013). Quantitative research is more objective and deductive and is most like the scientific method because a hypothesis is required to begin. The opposite is true for qualitative research because it is more subjective and inductive.

The planning stage is the most important stage in quantitative research because every detail may mean the success or failure. In qualitative research, the planning is not as intensive because the researcher has the ability to adjust the project along the way because they are more involved in the administering of. This makes the analysis of data the most important stage in qualitative research (Differences 2011).

Each form of research has different aims; quantitative research’s aims “to classify features, count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed” while qualitative research aims to provide a “complete detailed description” (Neill 2007). How data is collected in each is different as well. Quantitative research relies on surveys, questionnaires and other forms that deal with numerical data. This data is then analyzed using statistics. Qualitative research gains information through focus groups, interviews, and observations. The data is then analyzed and summarized by the researcher in the form of a textual narrative. (Yilmaz 2013).

Just as each has its strengths, each method...