Answer:
the major differences in qualitative and quantitative research is in
QUALITATIVE METHODS
- Methods include focus groups, in-depth interviews, and reviews of documents for types of themes
- Primarily inductive process used to formulate theory or hypotheses
- More subjective: describes a problem or condition from the point of view of those experiencing it
- Text-based
- More in-depth information on a few cases
- Unstructured or semi-structured response options
- No statistical tests
- Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on skill and rigor of the researcher
- Time expenditure lighter on the planning end and heavier during the analysis phase
QUANTITATIVE METHODS
- Surveys, structured interviews & observations, and reviews of records or documents for numeric information
- Primarily deductive process used to test pre-specified concepts, constructs, and hypotheses that make up a theory
- More objective: provides observed effects (interpreted by researchers) of a program on a problem or condition
- Number-based
- Less in-depth but more breadth of information across a large number of cases
- Fixed response options
- Statistical tests are used for analysis
- Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on the measurement device or instrument used
- Time expenditure heavier on the planning phase and lighter on the analysis phase
Quantitative research is concerned with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research is concerned with terms and their interpretations. Quantitative methods allow you to test a theory by gathering and analyzing data in a structured way, while qualitative methods allow you to dig deeper into ideas and experiences.
