Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Introduction

Research methods can be placed into two categories - qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative research relies on gathering information that cannot be presented in the form of numbers and which does not represent numerical data (Flick, 2009). Some examples of qualitative research are open-ended questionnaires, diary accounts, and unstructured observations and interviews. Typically, qualitative data is descriptive in nature and this makes interpretation and analysis of qualitative research more difficult as compared to quantitative research. Qualitative research methods are most commonly used for studies that are conducted at the individual level and which focus on gathering comprehensive data on the way people think or feel (Flick, 2009).

On the other hand, quantitative research relies on gathering data in the form of numbers so that it can be placed into various categories and sorted, ranked and measured according to standard units of measurement (Thomas, 2003). The type of data derived from quantitative research is ideal for constructing tables and graphs that represent raw data. Quantitative research typically yields numerical data since its approach is based on measuring things (Thomas, 2003).

However, a number of other commonly used research methods, such as questionnaires and observations, can be used to produce qualitative as well as quantitative information (Brannen, 1995). For instance, a questionnaire that has closed questions or a rating scale can also be used to generate quantitative data. This is because apart from producing numerical data that is represented in the form of numbers, the data derived from quantitative research can also be out into categories (Thomas, 2003). A typical example of categorization of data is a questionnaire that asks the subject to answer questions in either 'yes' or 'no' (Brannen, 1995).

Whether an individual uses a qualitative research method or quantitative one depends on the type of data that they wish to collect from their study. Where quantitative data allows the researcher to conclude how many of a selected group of people behave in a certain manner, qualitative data helps them in answering why they behave that way (Brannen, 1995). This paper reviews two examines the methods of qualitative and quantitative research and evaluates their effectiveness.

Discussion

Whether an individual uses a qualitative research method or quantitative one depends on the type of data that they wish to collect from their study (Newman & Benz, 2006). In order to determine the effectiveness of qualitative and quantitative research methods, two relevant case studies will be assessed in the paper. The first of these is a qualitative research titled “Exploring trauma, loss and healing: spirituality, Te Whariki and early childhood education” which is conducted by Jane Bone. The second study is a quantitative research by the title of “Parents' Education, Mothers' Vocabulary, and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood: Longitudinal Evidence From Ecuador”. The study is conducted by Norbert Schady.

Qualitative Research

Background

The purpose of this research is to determine whether childhood is the result of social and cultural expectations. Having carried out previous researches on the same subject, Jane Bone establishes that childhood is the time ...