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Quantitative and Qualitative Research (Cristobal & Cristobal, 2017)

There are two broad categories of research methodology: quantitative research and qualitative research. The method to be used in conducting a research will determine the approach the researcher takes in identifying relevant data, and collecting and analyzing the information gathered in the research. Choosing either a quantitative or qualitative approach will affect the components of the research.

For instance, a researcher may decide to undertake a scientific research. If he/she takes a quantitative approach, he/she will use statistical data to provide an explanation of the phenomenon. On the other hand, if the researcher chooses qualitative approach, the goal of the study will be to discuss and analyze the underlying concepts and theories related to the research topic.

For you to easily understand the similarities and differences between the two research methods, here is a short definition of terms that you have to be familiar with.

• contacttime–theperiodwhentheresearcherinteractswiththeresearch

subjects or participants to obtain relevant information

• hypothesis – a statement usually predicting the relationship between

variables that can be tested by scientific research

• outlier – a statistical observation in a set of data that is inconsistent with

the majority of the data

• outputreplicability–capableofrepetition,imitationorreproduction

• research instrument – a measurement tool designed to obtain, measure

and analyze data from research subjects around the research topic

• sample size – the number of subjects to be taken from the target

population of the study

• trend – an assumed development in the future that will have a long-term

and lasting effect; prevailing style or preference

• validity–thefunctionalqualityofresearchinstrumentonobtainingdata

and producing results based on the purpose of the study

• variable – any characteristic that can have different values or traits that

may vary across research participants 6

Now, study the following table cited by Cristobal & Cristobal (2017) from the Social Science Research Extension Institute (SSREI), University of the Philippines (UP)-Baguio (2009).

Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research

Aims to characterize trends and patterns

Involves processes, feelings, and motives (the why’s and the how’s) and produces in-depth and holistic data

Usually starts with either a theory or hypothesis about the relationship between two or more variables

Usually concerned with generating hypothesis from data rather than testing a hypothesis

Uses structured research instruments like questionnaires or schedules

Uses either unstructured or semi- structured instruments

Uses large sample sizes that are representatives of the population

Uses small sample sizes chosen purposely

Has high output replicability

Uses structured processes

Has high validity

Uses more flexible processes

Used to gain greater understanding of group similarities

Used to gain greater understanding of individual differences in terms of feelings, motives, and experiences

Methods include census, survey, experiment, and secondary analysis

Methods include field research, case study, and secondary analysis

Generally, quantitative and qualitative research differs on the type of data they produce. The former dwells on the collection of numerical data analyzed by statistical analysis, while the latter deals with descriptive, in-depth and holistic data analyzed by summarizing, categorizing and interpreting. On this note, you need to use quantitative research if you want to confirm or test a theory or hypothesis and use qualitative research if you want to understand concepts, thoughts and experiences.