Quantitative Vs Qualitative Research: 20+ Differences

May 25, 2018 Sandesh Adhikari Global Health 0

Here are almost all the differences between Qualitative and Quantitative research:

Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research
Quantitative research is the research where researcher decides what to do and what not to Qualitative research is the research where researcher relies on the views of the participants
It is conducted to explain or prove the theories It is conducted to explore the situation and find out any new concepts, theories or phenomena
Common research objective is to describe, explain and quantify the problem Common research objective is to explore and gain understanding of the problems or reasons
Research questions include ‘What’ and ‘When’ Research questions include ‘How’ and ‘Why’
Scientific method of research is Confirmatory

i.e. top-down, where the researcher will test hypothesis from the collected data

 Scientific method of research is Exploratory

i.e. bottom-up, where new hypothesis or theories are generated from the collected data
It follows Deductive reasoning method (fitting data in theories)

i.e. Starts from the Theory, from which we form Hypothesis, make the Observation and finally confirm our Hypothesis

 It follows Inductive reasoning method (looking for emergence of any theory)

i.e. Starts from Observation, then we find out the Pattern, make the Tentative hypothesis and finally form the Theory
Data collected are more in numbers and statistics Data collected are more in words and images
Data collection methods are mainly structured interviews, surveys, statistical records Data collection methods are mainly In-depth Interviews (IDI), Focus Group Discussion (FGD), observation and document reviews
There are specific/certain ways of reaching from point A (start) to point B (end) There are multiple ways of reaching from point A (start) to point B (end)
Sampling is mostly ‘random sampling’ Sampling is mostly ‘non-random sampling’
It gives limited information of more cases It gives more information of limited cases
It is considered to have narrow angle lens It is considered to have wide angle range
It cannot have methodological innovations It can have methodological innovations
Only specific variables are studied here Study of the whole subject is done
Data collection is more structured Data collection is less structured
Sample size is an important issue Sample size is not an important issue
 Inquiry is result oriented The Inquiry is process oriented
Statistical tests are necessary to prove the hypothesis No statistical tests required
Hypothesis is tested here Hypothesis is generated here
Findings are more generalizable Findings are less generalizable
Results are quite specific Results are very descriptive
Report of quantitative researches are more statistical showing the relationship between the variables Report of qualitative researches are narrative including direct quotation of the participants
Challenges in analyzing data:

  • Good statistical analysis required
  • More sample size required to generalize or the analysis will be of less importance
 Challenges in analyzing data:

  • Small sample size
  • Large volume of data
  • Researchers bias
  • Creative process

References and For More Information:

https://www.snapsurveys.com/blog/qualitative-vs-quantitative-research/

https://www.orau.gov/cdcynergy/soc2web/content/phase05/phase05_step03_deeper_qualitative_and_quantitative.htm

https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-research.html

https://dovetailapp.com/guides/qual-quant

http://www.iff-international.com/2017/10/difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-research/

https://rmsresults.com/2016/06/03/what-is-the-difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-research/

http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-research/

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/sociology/qualitative-and-quantitative-research-methods.php

https://www.b2binternational.com/research/methods/faq/whats-the-difference-between-quantitative-and-qualitative-research/

https://atlasti.com/quantitative-vs-qualitative-research/

https://chronicle.umbmentoring.org/on-methods-whats-the-difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-approaches/

https://www.simplypsychology.org/qualitative-quantitative.html

https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/quantitative-vs-qualitative-research/

https://imotions.com/blog/qualitative-vs-quantitative-research/

http://newmr.org/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-research/

https://www.diffen.com/difference/Qualitative_vs_Quantitative

https://surveymethods.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-a-qualitative-and-quantitative-survey/

https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ijahsp/vol8/iss4/5/

https://explorable.com/quantitative-and-qualitative-research

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/quantitative-and-qualitative.html

https://medium.com/digital-experience-design/an-overview-to-qualitative-and-quantitative-research-methods-in-design-de034a92f45c

http://www.statisticshowto.com/research-methods-qualitative-research-and-quantitative-research/

https://www.slideshare.net/doha07/quantitative-and-qualitative-research

https://www.mcgill.ca/mqhrg/resources/what-difference-between-qualitative-and-quantitative-research

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226846988_The_distinction_between_qualitative_and_quantitative_research_methods_is_problematic

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11135-011-9455-8

https://www.xavier.edu/library/students/documents/qualitative_quantitative.pdf

http://valientmarketresearch.com/uncategorized/qualitative-vs-quantitative/

Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2008). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (p. 34). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Lichtman, M. (2006). Qualitative research in education: A user’s guide (pp. 7-8). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

About Sandesh Adhikari 245 Articles
Sandesh Adhikari (MPH, WHO-TDR Scholar, BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh) has more than eight years of experience in public health sector. He has worked under different thematic areas of disaster, health, nutrition, HIV and AIDS, youth engagement, research etc., targeting diverse audience of different age groups. Mr. Adhikari has performed diverse roles of public health program coordinator, central information management officer, nutrition coordinator, research coordinator, consultant, academician and strategic partnership coordinator in different programs, projects and academic institutions of Nepal. Mr. Adhikari holds immense experience in working closely and persistently with government organizations, non-government organizations, UN agencies, CSOs and other stakeholders at the national and sub-national level. He has successfully led and coordinated different projects involving multi-sector participation and engagement. Moreover, he has also contributed as a core technical team member for the development different health and nutrition guidelines and manuals of Government of Nepal.