Quantitative vs Qualitative
A qualitative study is one that deals with descriptive information and focuses on the contexts or understanding of human actions within their existence. It purpose is often used for inductive driven research or theory development. Qualitative research uses methods of inquiry like data collection, interviews, surveys, ethnographic observation, of document review. This studies are valuable to provide detailed observation, in longitudinal studies, and to emphasize the participants opinions, thoughts and feelings. A qualitative study is used when there are not set measures in existence for the research needed. Examples of qualitative studies include: grounded theory, case studies, ethnography, and phenomenology.
A quantitative study is one that most consider more scientific or experimental in nature because it deals with statics, numbers, and precise forms of measurement to analyze the data. Its purpose is often used for deductive research to test theories, hypothesis, and/or evaluate variables. “Quantitative date have the potential to provide measureable evidence, to help to establish (probable) cause and effect, to yield efficient data collection procedures, to create the possibility of replication and generalization to a population, to facilitate the comparison of groups, and to provide insight into a breadth of experiences” ( ). Examples of quantitative studies include: time-series designs, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials.
It is very easy to discriminate between published qualitative and quantitative studies. For example, in the study by Shanakar states, “Analysis of ethnographic data from New York City advertising agencies shows how racialization occurs through the transformation of Asian Americans from model minority producers into model minority consumers” (Shanakar, 2012). The key word here is ethnographic data and how it is used to understand the contexts and meaning of a human issue. In Binnette’s quantitative research
A quantitative study is one that most consider more scientific or experimental in nature because it deals with statics, numbers, and precise forms of measurement to analyze the data. Its purpose is often used for deductive research to test theories, hypothesis, and/or evaluate variables. “Quantitative date have the potential to provide measureable evidence, to help to establish (probable) cause and effect, to yield efficient data collection procedures, to create the possibility of replication and generalization to a population, to facilitate the comparison of groups, and to provide insight into a breadth of experiences” ( ). Examples of quantitative studies include: time-series designs, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials.
It is very easy to discriminate between published qualitative and quantitative studies. For example, in the study by Shanakar states, “Analysis of ethnographic data from New York City advertising agencies shows how racialization occurs through the transformation of Asian Americans from model minority producers into model minority consumers” (Shanakar, 2012). The key word here is ethnographic data and how it is used to understand the contexts and meaning of a human issue. In Binnette’s quantitative research