Experimental research also is known as quantitative research. It attempts to gather information in a controlled environment. This is a more objective form of research than other methods. It studies a large, randomly selected group and looks at specific variables to test a hypothesis. The data that's gathered is usually represented as statistics and numerical data. The results also are general so they can be applied to other populations.
Qualitative research seeks to understand social interactions through interviews, participant observations and reflections. This form of research is more subjective. Participants may know the biases of the researchers, and the researchers may know personal information about the participants. The participants are specifically selected and are a smaller group. Behavior is studied in a natural environment as a whole, and a new hypothesis is developed based on the data gathered.
There are few similarities between experimental and qualitative research. Both forms of research seek to find answers and collect data. They both deal with hypotheses and studying behavior. Both experimental and qualitative research can be valid and reliable.
While experimental research uses a controlled environment, qualitative research observes behavior in a natural environment. Qualitative research is more exploratory, while experimental research confirms a set hypothesis. Experimental research looks at data with a narrow lens by testing specific variables. Qualitative research looks at data with a wide lens by looking at wholes rather than variables. The analytical reports take on different forms, as well. Experimental research reports are statistical and qualitative research reports use words and images.