Qualitative research initially found its home in social sciences such as sociology, anthropology and economics. In the middle part of the 20th century, other disciplines began employing qualitative research in their methodology. These disciplines included fields such as educational policy, social work, gender studies and political science. In the late 20th century, a strong push from quantitative researchers forced many fields that employed qualitative research to restructure the modes of data gathering and analysis so that their results might be considered more accurate and "true to nature."
Qualitative research is distinct from quantitative research in four key ways. First, qualitative researchers select their subject matters in a directed fashion, while quantitative researchers may simply look at masses of data. Second, qualitative researchers accept a more dominant role in the proposal, acceptance and discussion of the research, as the nature of the research necessitates a degree of subjectivity. Third, qualitative research focuses on communicative modes of interaction between subjects, while quantitative research tends to focus on physical modes of interaction. Finally, qualitative research most often emphasizes hypotheses, debate and discussion, as opposed to quantitative research, which emphasizes finality and conclusions.
While the data of quantitative research often exists as numbers or physical characteristics of the subjects or their interactions, the data of qualitative research exists as observational notes and insights created and modified by the researcher. Modes of data collection for qualitative research include journal observation, interviews, reporting and reflection.
Researchers employ several different types of analytical methods to interpret data. Coding attempts to provide a quantitative outline for qualitative data by grouping that data into sections and subsections. For example, sociologists code survey responses according to answers. Another method, abstracting, involves composing an in-depth, written summary of the data, oftentimes in narrative form. Occasionally, researchers employ mechanical methods such as computer programs to sort and organize data according to how often various themes or terms recur.