How to Blend Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods in a Thesis & Dissertation

Qualitative and quantitative research methods vary greatly in many ways, but also overlap. Traditionally these methods were used in different fields. However, in the last decade they are more frequently used together in research and analysis. Qualitative research refers to that of written data, verbal testimony and interviews to ascertain how people think and how they do certain things. Quantitative research looks at numerical data, statistics, the study of trends and survey results. Both of these methods have their own strengths and weaknesses. Thus combining the two can be very useful and enable a more accurate and in-depth thesis.

Things You'll Need

  • Access to research data and subjects
  • Research tools
  • Computer
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Instructions

    • 1
      Whether it is interviews or statistics that you use, explain the reason why.

      Outline your research approach at the start of your thesis. State that you are going to combine both quantitative and qualitative research methods, then justify this approach. You could say that this has not been done before in your field, and you want to see how your method will affect results.

      Alternatively you could argue that both qualitative and quantitative methods have weaknesses in different areas, and combining the two will provide a more well-rounded study. Defending your approach is vital in any thesis; you will lose marks if you do not do this.

    • 2

      Decide the exact methods you will use within the two methods. Will you be interviewing people, or focusing on statistics from larger groups? Furthermore, from what sources will you collect your information? Decide how your methods and sources will influence your study and your objectivity. Adapt your thesis and methods accordingly.

    • 3
      Time your methods within your research.

      Choose which method will be used first. Traditionally, quantitative research is used in the later stages of a project, as it is more objective than qualitative research and also more rigid. Quantitative research is designed to use data already available and the researcher should have an idea of what he or she is looking for. Thus, you cannot use it until you have already collected quite a lot of data and really honed your ideas.

      Use qualitative research in the early phases when you are unsure of what exactly you are looking for, or if you do not have any idea of what results you will find. Qualitative research is far more flexible and more subjective, as the data can be influenced more readily by the researcher's interpretation.

    • 4
      The structure of your thesis is just as important as your research. Plan it before you write it.

      Break it down in the essay. Rather than jump from one form of analysis to another, try to compartmentalise the essay. For example, begin the essay with your qualitative results and your analysis. Continue with quantitative and again analyze both the data and the approach. Then combine the two in an overall analysis and discuss how and why results differ.

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