Quantitative Research:
* Focus: Measuring and quantifying phenomena. It seeks to establish relationships between variables, test hypotheses, and make generalizations to larger populations. Think numbers, statistics, and objectivity.
* Data type: Numerical data (e.g., scores on tests, frequencies, percentages, measurements).
* Methods: Surveys with closed-ended questions, experiments, statistical analysis, structured observations.
* Analysis: Statistical techniques (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, regression analysis) to identify patterns and relationships.
* Goal: To establish facts, test theories, and make predictions. Often aims for generalizability to a larger population.
* Example: Measuring the effectiveness of a new drug by comparing the recovery rates of two groups (treatment and control).
Qualitative Research:
* Focus: Understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. It explores complex social phenomena through in-depth understanding of experiences, perspectives, and meanings. Think in-depth understanding and subjectivity.
* Data type: Non-numerical data (e.g., interview transcripts, field notes, observations, documents, images).
* Methods: Interviews (open-ended questions), focus groups, ethnography (immersive observation), case studies, content analysis of text data.
* Analysis: Thematic analysis, narrative analysis, grounded theory, discourse analysis – identifying patterns, themes, and meanings within the data.
* Goal: To gain an in-depth understanding of a phenomenon, explore complex issues, and generate hypotheses. Often aims for rich description and context-specific understanding.
* Example: Exploring patients' experiences with a chronic illness through in-depth interviews to understand their coping mechanisms and emotional responses.
Key Differences Summarized:
| Feature | Quantitative Research | Qualitative Research |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Purpose | Test hypotheses, measure relationships | Explore perspectives, understand meanings |
| Data Type | Numerical | Text, images, observations |
| Sample Size | Large | Small |
| Data Analysis | Statistical methods | Thematic, narrative, or other interpretive analysis |
| Generalizability| High (often aims for it) | Low (context-specific) |
| Researcher Role | Objective, detached | Subjective, engaged |
It's important to note that these two approaches are not mutually exclusive. Mixed methods research combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a research question. The choice of approach depends on the research question and the nature of the phenomenon being studied.