Primary Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Designs
Quantitative research designs are an objective and deductive method of problem solving. Qualitative research designs, on the other hand, are a subjective and inductive way of problem solving. Previously, quantitative studies were considered to be more rigorous than qualitative studies. Qualitative studies have, however, gained additional credibility in recent decades (Keele, 2011). Some researchers actually posit that judicious use of both research approaches can enrich research in some areas of enquiry. This paper will examine the main strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research designs.
The main strength of quantitative study designs is the generalizability of their findings. Findings of quantitative studies based on large representative random samples can be inferred to the general population. Quantitative studies additionally allow researchers to eliminate the confounding influence of multiple variables. This allows researchers to establish more credible cause-effect relationships and enhances the generalizability of research findings. Another feature of quantitative studies that improves the generalizability of their findings is the fact that they can be replicated with participants from varying populations and subpopulations (Polit & Beck, 2010). The major weakness of quantitative studies is the fact that their findings may not reflect the experiences and worldviews of respondents. The findings of quantitative studies may not be context specific because of the tight controls that are introduced to reduce bias. The theories selected by researchers may also fail to reflect the understandings of the respondents. The categorizations used and items included in measuring instruments used by researchers in quantitative studies may additionally not reflect the worldviews of participants. Moreover, reduction of complex human characteristics, behaviors, and experiences to numbers often makes the findings of quantitative studies look superficial (Choy, 2014).
The main strength of qualitative study designs is the fact that their findings reflect the worldviews of participants. Qualitative research usually focuses on meanings particularly how individuals make sense of the world and how they experience events from their individual perspectives. Qualitative studies achieve this by using open-ended questions during data collection and data analysis techniques that allow meanings to emerge from respondent responses (Choy, 2014). Consequently, qualitative findings are usually rich in meaning and context specific. The primary weakness of qualitative study design is the fact they are time-consuming and expensive to conduct.
In summary, this paper has described the primary strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research study designs. The findings of quantitative studies based on large representative random samples can be inferred to the general population. The findings of quantitative studies may, however, not be context specific or representative of the worldviews of respondents. The main strength of qualitative studies is that their findings reflect the worldviews of respondents and are highly context specific. Their main weakness is the fact that they are expensive and time-consuming.
References
Choy, L. T. (2014). The strengths and weaknesses of research methodology: Comparison and complimentary between qualitative and quantitative approaches. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 19(4), 99-104.
Keele, R. (2011). Nursing research and evidence-based practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Barlett Learning.
Polit, D. F. & Beck, C. T. (2010). Generalization in quantitative and qualitative research: Myths and strategies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(11), 1451-1458.
