The difference between qualitative and quantitative research approaches and when social scientists use each.
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- What is quantitative research?
- A research approach that collects and analyzes numerical data to test hypotheses and identify patterns through statistical methods.
- What is qualitative research?
- A research approach that collects and analyzes non-numerical data, such as text and observations, to understand meaning, context, and experiences.
- What types of data does quantitative research analyze?
- Numerical data such as measurements, counts, percentages, and test scores that can be analyzed through statistical techniques.
- What types of data does qualitative research analyze?
- Non-numerical data such as interview transcripts, field notes, photographs, and documents analyzed through coding and thematic analysis.
- What sample sizes are typical in quantitative research?
- Large samples, often 100 or more participants, needed to produce statistically reliable and generalizable results.
- What sample sizes are typical in qualitative research?
- Small samples, often fewer than 50 participants, sufficient to achieve rich, detailed understanding through intensive data collection.
- What is the primary goal of quantitative research?
- To measure relationships between variables, test hypotheses, and produce generalizable findings about a population.
- What is the primary goal of qualitative research?
- To explore, understand, and describe how people experience phenomena and assign meaning to their world.
- What is a survey?
- A quantitative data collection method using structured questionnaires with closed-ended items administered to large samples.
- What is an interview in qualitative research?
- A data collection method using open-ended questions to explore participants' experiences, perspectives, and meanings in depth.
- What is an experiment?
- A research design where the researcher manipulates an independent variable and measures its effect on a dependent variable while controlling for other factors.
- What is ethnography?
- A qualitative method where the researcher participates in or observes a group or culture over an extended period to understand their behaviors and norms.
- What is a focus group?
- A qualitative method using a guided discussion with 6-12 participants to explore attitudes, opinions, and experiences on a topic.
- What is a case study?
- A qualitative research design providing an in-depth examination of a single case, organization, or community in its real-world context.
- How do quantitative researchers analyze data?
- Using statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, correlations, regression, and hypothesis tests to identify patterns and relationships.
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