Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Quantitative and qualitative methods

Research methods can generate different types of data. Depending on the type of research, a kind of data may be preferable to another.

Quantitative methods measure by categorising and rating the data collected by the researcher, e.g., how many students in a class enjoy playing a musical instrument. It is great for objective and easy analysis of data.

Qualitative methods can explore ideas, motivations, or thought processes in more depth, with a more personalised reflection of the studied person, e.g. to understand why students have chosen to play musical instruments. It is excellent for detailed data analysis and identifying additional areas of research quantitative data may not highlight.

Quantitative research: examples

To better understand quantitative research methods, we can consider some examples. Examples of quantitative research methods include:

Structured interviews

Structured interviews are interviews with closed questions; neither the participants nor the researcher can add more to the question or answer. The questions are designed to produce concise answers. These are considered to be closed questions. Open questions produce qualitative data, so do not confuse the two.

Questionnaires and surveys with closed questions

Questionnaires and surveys with closed questions may include multiple-choice or 'Yes or no' questions. They help the researcher obtain data that are easily collectable and analysable.

These methods may also include Likert scales, which use scaling responses to measure and collect data. A Likert scale provides a range of scaling responses a participant can choose from.

Likert scales can include a range of scaled responses, including the one above. StudySmarter Originals, Shikha Shah

Polls

Polls are an easy way to collect numerical data.

Experiments

Experiments are good for generating numerical data as they are designed to establish cause and effect relationships between two or more variables. They generally have controlled environments, although this can differ depending on the experiment conducted.

What kind of data can be generated using quantitative research?

Quantitative research can generate a variety of objective, numerical data represented in the forms of:

• Bar charts

• Graphs, including correlational

• Pie charts

• Statistics

• Tallies

Tables generally show the raw data before it is analysed and can also be used to show descriptive statistics.

Qualitative research: examples

To better understand qualitative research methods, we can consider some examples. Examples of qualitative research methods include:

Unstructured interviews

Unstructured interviews are interviews with open questions; the researcher and participant can follow up on questions and answers, respectively. They are designed to obtain in-depth and detailed data.

Case studies

Case studies focus on a single person, event, phenomenon or issue; the aim is to obtain detail to understand exactly why or how something or someone works. Case studies can generate a mass amount of qualitative data, primarily if carried out across several years or on complex issues.

Questionnaires and surveys with open questions

Similarly to unstructured interviews, questionnaires and surveys with open questions allow for follow-up and detail in questions and answers. They are good for uncovering and understanding the participants' preferences or motivations.

What kind of data can be generated using qualitative research?

Qualitative research can generate a variety of descriptive, worded data represented in the forms of:

• Detailed answers or statements

• Chronology of events

• Reports

• Opinions

• Images or videos

Quantitative and qualitative data have their advantages and disadvantages. Unsplash

Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach

Now that you have information about qualitative and quantitative methods, we can briefly consider how a combination of these could work. This is called a mixed-methods approach.

There may be several different reasons for using a mixed-method approach. One reason may be that the research topic is too complex to only rely on one type of data; a second reason is that using a mixed-methods approach may give you a richer, more accurate picture of the research topic.

Combining quantitative and qualitative methods

Combining both types of research methods can have the following advantages:

• Flexibility in research methods – they have more choice as to how they carry out the research

• The 'best of both worlds' – using mixed methods can decrease the impact of any weaknesses of certain research methods

• A wide range of data is produced

An example of a mixed-method approach

We can understand how a mixed-method approach works by considering a simple example.

The above example is likely to result in a mixed-methods approach. The teacher could use interviews, questionnaires with open or closed questions, polls and statistical analysis to determine whether there is a link between personal attitudes and examination results.

Evaluation of quantitative research

Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative research.

Evaluation of qualitative research

Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative research.

How to decide whether to use quantitative or qualitative methods

It can be difficult to conclude which type of method is 'better' with these considerations. However, the answer is that there is no 'better' method – it depends entirely on what type of research you want to do.

Generally, you could take this approach:

• If you want to test an existing theory, hypothesis or relationship, use quantitative methods

• If you want to understand or study an issue, person or event to conclude, use qualitative methods

As mentioned above, there is no right answer, and multiple factors should be considered, including whether mixed methods would be beneficial.