Research is the most widely used tool to increase and brush-up the stock of knowledge about something and someone. In the field of marketing, business, sociology, psychology, science & technology, economics, etc. there are two standard ways of conducting research, i.e. qualitative research or quantitative research. While the qualitative research relies on verbal narrative like spoken or written data, the quantitative research uses logical or statistical observations to draw conclusions.
In a qualitative research, there are only a few non-representative cases are used as a sample to develop an initial understanding. Unlike, quantitative research in which a sufficient number of representative cases are taken to consideration to recommend a final course of action.
There is a never-ending debate on, which research is better than the other, so in this article, we are going to shed light on the difference between qualitative and quantitative research.
Content: Qualitative Research Vs Quantitative Research
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparison | Qualitative Research | Quantitative Research |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Qualitative research is a method of inquiry that develops understanding on human and social sciences, to find the way people think and feel. | Quantitative research is a research method that is used to generate numerical data and hard facts, by employing statistical, logical and mathematical technique. |
| Nature | Holistic | Particularistic |
| Approach | Subjective | Objective |
| Research type | Exploratory | Conclusive |
| Reasoning | Inductive | Deductive |
| Sampling | Purposive | Random |
| Data | Verbal | Measurable |
| Inquiry | Process-oriented | Result-oriented |
| Hypothesis | Generated | Tested |
| Elements of analysis | Words, pictures and objects | Numerical data |
| Objective | To explore and discover ideas used in the ongoing processes. | To examine cause and effect relationship between variables. |
| Methods | Non-structured techniques like In-depth interviews, group discussions etc. | Structured techniques such as surveys, questionnaires and observations. |
| Result | Develops initial understanding | Recommends final course of action |
Definition of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is one which provides insights and understanding of the problem setting. It is an unstructured, exploratory research method that studies highly complex phenomena that are impossible to elucidate with the quantitative research. Although, it generates ideas or hypothesis for later quantitative research.
Qualitative research is used to gain an in-depth understanding of human behaviour, experience, attitudes, intentions, and motivations, on the basis of observation and interpretation, to find out the way people think and feel. It is a form of research in which the researcher gives more weight to the views of the participants. Case study, grounded theory, ethnography, historical and phenomenology are the types of qualitative research.
Definition of Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a form of research that relies on the methods of natural sciences, which produces numerical data and hard facts. It aims at establishing cause and effect relationship between two variables by using mathematical, computational and statistical methods. The research is also known as empirical research as it can be accurately and precisely measured.
The data collected by the researcher can be divided into categories or put into rank, or it can be measured in terms of units of measurement. Graphs and tables of raw data can be constructed with the help quantitative research, making it easier for the researcher to analyse the results.
Key Differences Between Qualitative And Quantitative Research
The differences between qualitative and quantitative research are provided can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:
- Qualitative research is a method of inquiry that develops understanding on human and social sciences, to find the way people think and feel. A scientific and empirical research method that is used to generate numerical data, by employing statistical, logical and mathematical technique is called quantitative research.
- Qualitative research is holistic in nature while quantitative research is particularistic.
- The qualitative research follows a subjective approach as the researcher is intimately involved, whereas the approach of quantitative research is objective, as the researcher is uninvolved and attempts to precise the observations and analysis on the topic to answer the inquiry.
- Qualitative research is exploratory. As opposed to quantitative research which is conclusive.
- The reasoning used to synthesise data in qualitative research is inductive whereas in the case of quantitative research the reasoning is deductive.
- Qualitative research is based on purposive sampling, where a small sample size is selected with a view to get a thorough understanding of the target concept. On the other hand, quantitative research relies on random sampling; wherein a large representative sample is chosen in order to extrapolate the results to the whole population.
- Verbal data are collected in qualitative research. Conversely, in quantitative research measurable data is gathered.
- Inquiry in qualitative research is a process-oriented, which is not in the case of quantitative research.
- Elements used in the analysis of qualitative research are words, pictures, and objects while that of quantitative research is numerical data.
- Qualitative Research is conducted with the aim of exploring and discovering ideas used in the ongoing processes. As opposed to quantitative research the purpose is to examine cause and effect relationship between variables.
- Lastly, the methods used in qualitative research are in-depth interviews, focus groups, etc. In contrast, the methods of conducting quantitative research are structured interviews and observations.
- Qualitative Research develops the initial understanding whereas quantitative research recommends a final course of action.
Video: Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research
Conclusion
An ideal research is one, which is conducted by considering both the methods, together. Although, there are some particular areas which require, only one type of research which mainly depends on the information required by the researcher. While qualitative research tends to be interpretative, quantitative research is concrete.
You Might Also Like:
Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Data
Difference Between Research Method and Research Methodology
Difference Between Exploratory and Descriptive Research
Difference Between Primary and Secondary Research
Difference Between Census and Sampling
Difference Between Probability and Non-Probability Sampling
Zeenat khan says
Thank you so much it helped me a lot..
Janine says
thanks this helps
SUZANA JAMES says
Thanks a lot of the help
Chaudhuri Behera says
Really this is very helpful 👍
Brenda says
Thank you!!
May the force be with you ,!For giving me the light of this paradigm..
Zafar says
Great job
Joseph liwa says
Nice material for Reading
Michael Nyabasa says
This is helpful to my learning
kebbie says
good stuff
Naveen says
Appreciate the effort. Nicely articulated.
Dinal says
It was really helpful kindly don’t tell my teacher that i copied it from here.
Julia says
it was extraordinary. I am writing a thesis using both the qualitative and quantitative methods can I please get more insight. On how to use the mixed method in educational psychology
William Ndwapi says
Awesome information clearly making the difference between the 2 methods. Currently writing an assignment on the same topic and this has been so helpful.
Terkimbi Felix Avalumun says
Wow! This beautifully articulated
Okello Newton says
love comprehensive explanations of key terms I needed for my assignment.
Thankyou
zainab says
I have got an exam of research methodology tomorrow. It helped me a lot. Such a nice explanation. Thanks
Janet Mayowa Olowe says
Wow… you are doing a great job… much hugs for this…. well explained to the level of a grade four… THANK YOU….XOXO….
Zoha says
It helped alot. Thank you so much.
S. Smith says
Thank you so much for this! My professor did not know how to differentiate the two, and it was extremely annoying!
Joel Mayowa Folarin says
thanks very much, thanks for your support
Fola says
Thanks for the video and ‘Key Differences’ as a whole.
DANIEL says
This is very insightful!
Maloney M Chirumiko says
Benefited a lot, Thank you
Bali Kumar says
Simple and straight forward
Cheers!
Surbhi S says
To all the readers, Thanks a ton for appreciating the article and sharing your views with us. Keep reading. 🙂
Sadeeq Ruma says
Thanks so much. I used it to write my exam. It really helps me so much
Janvier Agbotome says
Very grateful for this useful information. I can now write my thesis paper in religious research paper with precision. Thanks and God bless you.
Thalia says
Very interesting and good results I’m satisfied
Weber Irembere says
Well clearly explained. I appreciate
Maimuna Mohamed says
Very insightful! i have an assignment to write on research methodology and this really helped thanks you so much.
Austine Okereke says
Wow this is such a great write-up. thumbs up to the writer. i have learnt alot from this. God bless you real good for impacting.
Regards
Suqita J Abdullah says
Thank You, I need some information that sums up all the articles I read on some of these subjects. I need a website like this one who realizes that students need help and full clarity of the subject matter.
KAFEERO NATHAN says
GOD IS GOOD because HE made me arrive at the exact work i was looking for all along.
Olga Simon says
Thank so much . this information was helpful with my assignment.
Dr. Delina Barrera says
Is it possible to close caption or provide a transcript of your video? I really like the video and one of the few reviewing the differences between quantitative and qualitative research. I would like to use it for one of my classes (Introduction to Political Science). However, we are required to have closed closed captioning.
Thank you.
Nadine Riche says
This video gives me a great understanding between quantitative and qualitative. Very helpful for my research.
Florence Okayo says
This was very helpful, it has help me complete my assignment. Thanks to the writer
Janah says
It very nice as much I know and all your answers are already here
elvin says
Thank you so, so, so much for writing this. it’s been incredibly helpful for me.
Ikenna Dialoke says
Greatly appreciated! Very helpful.
C.Ramulu says
Thanks, Very clear and useful
Athumani says
Gratitude it made me aware and more bright
Samuel Mulilo says
This was very helpful in my assignment
neha roy says
Awesome and easy to understand, Thank you.
George Shyaka says
Easy to understand thank you
Baviny Masowe says
On point for academic purposes. Very helpful.
Joyce says
It is very clearly articulated. However, could you offer some source citations?
Kassegn says
Thank you this is main Knowledge for the student.
Usman says
Thank you so much this is very interesting
samuel says
Thanks, I really love this.
Ruthina says
well explained and precisely easy to understand ,thanks so much.
Nikita nyati says
Very helpful material for study
Shubham says
Hey,
Thanks for this beautiful info.
Begum says
This article saved me. Thanks
Tukam Enos says
Very interesting
Krishna GC says
Very useful article.
LUSIGE says
very clear and elaborate summary. great job 😊👌
Dr. Sibongile Chituku says
The information is easy to understand. Thank you
Dr. Sibongile Chituku says
The information is easy to understand. Thank you
Rafika says
Hi, thankyou for the material; it really helps me to finish the assignment.
DANIEL says
Thank you, very helpful material.
Getachew says
keep it up
Hassam Simunomba says
Thanks for this explaination.
Williams A Yari says
So interesting write up, very educative and resourceful to the teaching and learning sectors.