Quantitative & Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research

“Quantitative researchers collect facts and study the relationship of one set of facts to another. They use techniques that are likely to produce quantified and, if possible, generalizable conclusions” Bell (1999). In other words Quantitative research is concerned with the collection and analysis of data in numeric form. It is often falsely presented or perceived as being about the gathering of facts. The survey and questionnaire are often sound means of carrying out quantitative research.

Qualitative Research

“Researchers adopting a qualitative perspective are more concerned to understand individuals’ perceptions of the world. They seek insight rather than statistical analysis. Yet there are occasions when qualitative researchers draw on quantitative techniques, and vice versa” Bell (1999). Qualitative research tends to focus on exploring, in as much detail as possible and achieve depth rather than breadth. Action researching and interviewing are often sound means of conduction qualitative research.

It is important to distinguish data’s/research’s Validity and Reliability. Consider the data’s accuracy and whether the conclusions we draw/produce are applicable to everyone or simply the group we have studied/observed. Is our outcome reliable? I.e. if our research was repeated by others would they get similar results?

Now I have learnt and understood these methods of research I will use the following days to complete some more research methods.

Sources
Bell, J, 1999, Doing your research project (3rd ed), Berkshire: Open University Press.