Introduction
In any scientific or social field there is a systematic way in which new knowledge is identified, offered credibility, and preserved for future studies. This procedure is termed as research and it involves two major approaches; qualitative and quantitative. Majorly, research entails solving pre-existing problems or observing instances that require proof in the society. Therefore, even though the two research methods—qualitative and quantitative—are vastly different, they also have some similarities, which will be highlighted in this article. This article will hence analyze the similarities and differences between the two methods of research.
Differences of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Murray (2) asserts that qualitative and quantitative majorly differ on the time the hypothesis is articulated. In qualitative approach, the researcher entirely banks on the bigger picture during collection of data after which an assumption is made based on collected information. Contrastingly, quantitative research entails identification of a hypothesis at the beginning of the research; helps in guiding the research. The hypothesis in quantitative research is a statement that the researcher uses during information collection. The number of participants in the research is another contrast between the two research methods; quantitative approach entails using more participants than qualitative. Furthermore, in qualitative study as opposed to quantitative, the participant number is randomly selected so as the data collected covers a broad spectrum of variables and research aspects.
In qualitative approach, a specific group is selected to analyze the factors of the study (Murray 6). For example, in a study assessing the reasons that enhance domestic violence, qualitative research will use a group of abused women to get better information on the research topic. Quantitative approach on the other hand may collect information from the public on their opinions on domestic violence. Therefore, qualitative will critically discuss the topic while quantitative will give broad inferences on the study topic (Murray 8).
According to Murray (8), quantitative approach entails using an affirmative approach in information collection. The researcher accepts of only one truth on the research variable to be rejected or accepted. Contrastingly, qualitative approach is scientific with the hypothesis of the topic being taken as the truth and independent on the researchers’ opinion. Hence, qualitative researchers must be unemotional on the research topic to eliminate biases.
Another contrasting trait on the research methods is that they have different aims. Qualitative is mainly used to study behaviors of living things, while quantitative analyzes science topics such as financial markets. Behaviors on living things cannot be enumerated hence qualitatively researched. Scientific research, quantitative approach, is analyzed using enumerated data obtained from a target group so as to test the assumption (Murray 9). Qualitative research is based on human opinions regarding specific topics. In addition, the tools used in collecting information are unstructured interviews and open ended questionnaires. On the other hand, quantitative approach is founded on available information to counter or support the assumption in the initial step of the research. The tools used in quantitative research, are experiments, checklists, and surveys. Therefore, while quantitative approach is supported by numbers, qualitative is supported by opinions.
The procedure used to analyze a study is also a difference in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Information analysis in quantitative approach entails using software that incorporates the values collected. In qualitative data, the researcher evaluates information collected in interviews and questionnaires, and then statistical tools are used to search for patterns.
In addition, in quantitative approach validating of information collected entails contrasting of statistical deductions obtained from researches in the past, and from secondary sources. Contrastingly, qualitative research validation of information will entail comparing researchers’ evidence, data patterns from research, and documentation of biases. In qualitative research, biases must be taken into account because research is vastly influenced by opinions and ideas of the researcher.
Similarities of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Even though the differences in the two research methods are numerous, there are also some similarities, which need to be highlighted. Murray (11) insists that both approaches are founded on a theoretical rationale, framework, or theory. The abstract rationale acts as an important role in clarifying the knowledge underlying the study through proposing variables and factors that should be assessed in the research. Both approaches rely on data collection procedures, or measurement process to ascertain or reject the assumption defined in the abstract framework. While data collection methods vary, both have the same intention of proving their assumptions in research.
Furthermore, both research methods entail making a decision before making an inference on the subject or research aspects. Data collected is essential in offering credibility on the decisions that would be arrived at in research. Decisions may be emotional, controversial, subjective, and objective all the more reason why a proof through data collection is essential to support the decisions (Murray 12).
Both research methods also follow certain recommended guidelines established beforehand in guiding the study. Before beginning of the research, both qualitative and quantitative researchers are required to review guidelines that have already been established on any study. Reviewing of guidelines is important in avoiding mistakes done in earlier researches or coming up with same conclusions as past researches. Furthermore, when conducting research using both methods certain ethical considerations are incorporated when handling participants. For example, all data collected in both researches observe anonymity through not unveiling participants’ identity. Also, in collecting data through interviews, questionnaires, experiments and other procedures, consent from participants is required of the reason why the research is being undertaken. Finally, in both researches it is required that the data should be used for the purpose it is intended.
Conclusion
The two approaches in research are qualitative and quantitative, and are intended to ascertain the existence of certain knowledge, or give proof to existing knowledge. Furthermore, the two approaches have similarities and differences that must be identified by any researcher before he embarks on any study. The comparisons between both research studies are that: both are founded on an underlying theoretical framework; required data collection and analysis; and follow certain pre-set ethical considerations during research. Also, both research methods entail the usage of skills in decision making and data verification.
However, the contrasts are many making them suitable for usage in different instances. An example is that, quantitative approach needs a large research samples compared to qualitative. In addition, quantitative research depends on past researches, while qualitative depends on human opinions. While carrying out qualitative research, a researcher avoids emotional and political opinions so as to avoid bias, while qualitative research receives massive influence from the researcher’s opinions, whether subjective or objective. Quantitative approach takes a shorter time to analyze compared to qualitative as it uses values. Also, tools used in data collection in quantitative are experiments, trials, surveys, and checklists, while qualitative approach uses open-ended questionnaires and informal interviews to collect data.
Works Cited
Murray, Robert, T. Blending qualitative and quantitative research methods in theses and dissertations. California: Sage Publishers, 2003. Print. : 1-28
Rosenwasser, David, and Jill, Stephen. Writing Analytically. Ohio: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. : 100-110
