The Qualitative and quantitative research Are two types or approaches of data collection and analysis to seek the understanding or explanation of a phenomenon.
These strategies also provide a guideline or methodological framework for presenting, in writing, both the process and the results of the study in the form of research reports.
The selection of the method will depend to a great extent on the judgment of the researcher and on the nature of the subject to be studied. Some issues work for them to be better studied under a qualitative approach, while others are explored more easily from the quantitative lens.
There has been much debate among scholars in recent decades about the merits and shortcomings of both research strategies, especially in the social sciences.
On the one hand are those who see both approaches as separate entities that are based on different and interchangeable visions of the world, and on the other hand those who are more than comfortable with combining the methods by seeing them as complementary.
At the moment one does not think so black and white in terms of pros or cons, good or bad, objective or subjective, scientific or anti-scientific; You could say that the paradigms have been breaking. The trend at this time tends more to the functionality or utility of the method.
Whether it is the best of two worlds in the universe of scholarly works, or lines of research that when integrated into the same study will contaminate each other, the two approaches meet the main objectives in an investigation.
Whatever the outcome of using either, like any investigation Seeks to communicate a new knowledge, coming from the process of answering a question that was formulated in the context of a problem.
Quantitative research
Definition
It is a method used in research that uses as a platform numerical or quantifiable data to make generalizations about a phenomenon. The numbers originate from objective measurement scales for the study units to analyze variable calls.
Generally statistical scales are used to discriminate the behavior of a variable and thus explain the phenomenon being studied; Which makes them possible to be predictable by the researcher.
It tends to associate this type of research with the scientific method because it presents the data as absolute and verifiable facts, which leads to think that its results are indisputably valid representing the reality without margin of error.
For this reason, the nature of quantitative research is descriptive and necessarily both the subject and its variables and elements of the problem must be able to be defined, measured or translated into numbers.
Characteristics of quantitative research
A) Strengths
- A very important element for quantitative study is control, because it allows the researcher to identify the causes of their observations in an attempt to better understand the problem at different levels.
With this, it seeks to answer questions such as why something happens, what causes it, under what conditions, etc. As long as it is better defined, there is less chance of giving ambiguous answers.
- Data collection is also controlled by the application of instruments containing items with measurable characteristics, such as age, weight, educational level, average income, among others.
There are many instruments at hand or methodologies already proven and recognized by the academy, which ensures the accuracy, precision, fidelity and validity of the data collected.
- The hypothesis must exist and be subject to empirical evidence within the framework of the investigation. This test gives weight to the study.
- The operationalization is essential to identify the measurable elements that define the variables that interact, establishing the empirical referents or terms within it. This process is necessary to eliminate confusion of concept, meaning and communication.
The variable"introversion"can be defined as a mark on a particular personality scale,"hunger"based on the number of hours since the last meal, and the"social class"determined by the occupation.
- Quantitative research is replicable, making it especially reliable. This means that given the same circumstances, using the same instruments and applying the same techniques, the results must be the same.
This feature gives validity to the study. If the observations are not repeatable, both results and conclusions are considered to be unreliable.
- Generally the data are analyzed under the statistical framework of the normal distribution, which requires large populations to guarantee the greatest variety of behaviors that are truly representative.
The principle of random selection of a population sample is applied to avoid biased interpretation of results.
B) Limitations
- Given the complexity of human behavior and its experiences, it is difficult to identify, define and control all variables.
- Human beings do not necessarily respond in the same way under the same circumstances, not even the same person.
- In his analyzes and interpretations he does not include notions like freedom, will, free choice or moral responsibility.
- It is impossible for him to take into account the ability of people to interpret their own experiences, to create their own concepts or meanings and to act on them.
- It tends to assume that facts are absolute and true which leads to generalize to all people alike all the time in the same way.
- Often the results are fairly banal or trivial, with no significant consequence given the restrictive and controlled nature of the variables.
- The study, definition, data collection, and analysis may well be perfectly objective, but the researcher does not; As this is subjectively involved when deciding the research topic or problem and during the interpretation of the results.
Qualitative research
Definition
It is a method used in the investigation when it is necessary to study the range of behavior of a target population in reference to certain issues or problems, as well as their perceptions and motivations.
They tend to be deep studies of small groups of people with whom the hypothesis is established, to describe in depth a phenomenon, social reality, culture, behavior or experience.
The information collected is not numerical nor can it be defined with scales. It is open to the use of images, conversations, narratives, texts and observations in context.
Qualitative research takes time and requires more work than other types of research. It is said that it is better coupled with researchers who truly care about the subject, want to take it seriously and are willing to commit to the study.
Characteristics of qualitative research
A) Strengths
- It is constructivist, that is, it recognizes that the meaning of things is not objectively discovered. On the contrary, they are defined by people within a context. If the context changes, so does the meaning.
For a mother in Congo, the concept of motherhood will be totally different from that of an Argentine mother. Likewise, the meaning of motherhood for the same woman will change once she becomes pregnant and has her first child.
- The proximity of the researcher to the study and the subjects allows the development of a more sensitive point of view within the field. In this way, problems or complex situations that could otherwise be overlooked are detected.
- It is interpretive in that it focuses on how different definitions are equally important for analysis. This frees the interpretation of generalized results, where there is no exact or universal definition for all behaviors.
- New knowledge from the results emerges through an inductive process. The approach does not need to be tested by existing theories; on the contrary, it seeks to produce new theories.
- Observation in context allows the researcher to study non-verbal forms of communication such as body language and intonation, as subjects' response in context.
- Qualitative research provides flesh and blood to social analyzes.
B) Limitations
- The time for data collection, analysis and interpretation of data is extensive.
- The study can not be reproduced at any level or capacity, and the results can not be applied or generalized in larger contexts.
- The presence of the researcher ends up having a significant impact on the subjects.
- Anonymity and confidentiality between the parties may present problems in determining the results.
- The views of both researcher and participant must be differentiated and explained for reasons of bias.
- The major problem with qualitative research is the validity and reliability of the methods and results. Applying conventional standards of reliability is very difficult and many times the studies are not taken with total seriousness.
Differences between quantitative and qualitative research
References
- James Neill (2007). Qualitative versus Quantitative Research: Key Points in a Classic Debate. Wilderdom. Retrieved from wilderdom.com.
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods. ORAU -U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Retrieved from orau.gov.
- Regoniel Patrick A. (2015). Quantitative Methods: Meaning and Characteristics. Simply Educate Me. Retrieved from simplyeducate.me.
- Jemimah Gaite Pizarro (2014). Qualitative Research: Definition and Principles. Simply Educate Me. Retrieved from simplyeducate.me.
- Jones & Bartlett Learning. Quantitative Versus Qualitative Research, or Both? (Online pdf document).
- What is Qualitative Research? Qualitative Research Consultants Association web. Retrieved from qrca.org.
- Cristina Hughes. Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Social Research (online document). Warwick. Retrieved from warwick.ac.uk.