Quantitative
and
Qualitative
Research
OBJECTIVES
1. DIFFERENTIATE QUANTITATIVE
FROM QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH; AND
2. PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN
AREAS OF INTEREST.
L e s son
Quantitative a n d Qualitative
1 Research
In the previous lessons, y o u we re oriented with the characteristics, processes,
and ethics of research. Aside from them, you also need to k n o w the two broad
categories of research. They can be identified b y the type of methodology used
s u c h a s quantitative a n d qualitative.
T h e research m e t h o d determines the w a y o n h o w the researcher will identify,
collect, a n d a n a l y z e r e le v a n t d a t a for his/h e r r e s e a r c h . A s a s t u d e n t -
researcher, c hoosing either qualitative o r quantitative research will affect the
c o m p o n e n t s of y o u r study. He nc e , y o u ne e d to recognize the similarities a n d
differences between t h e m .
Take a look on the
comic strip below. Can
you distinguish the
difference between the
two panels?
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
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 a n d analyzing the information
gathered in the research. Choosing either a quantitative or qualitative
approach will affect the components of the research.
F o r instance, a researcher m a y decide to undertake a scientific
research. If h e / s h e t a k e s a q u a n t i t a t i v e a p p r o a c h , h e / s h e w i l l u s e
statistical d a t a t o provide a n explanation o f the p h e n o me n o n . O n
the other hand, if the r e s e a r c h e r c h o o s e s qualitative a p p r o a c h , t h e
goal of the study will be to discuss a n d analyze the underlying
c o n c e p t s a n d t h e o r i e s r e l a t e d t o t h e research topic.
N o w, study the following table
cited b y Cristobal & Cristobal
(2 017) f r o m the S ocial S c i e n c e
R e s e a r c h E x t e n s i o n Institute
( S S R E I ), U niversity o f t h e
Philippines (UP)-Baguio (2009).
G e n e r a l l y, q u a n t i t a t i v e a n d q u a l i t a t i v e
r e s e a r c h d i ff e r s o n t h e t y p e o f d a t a
they pr oduce. T h e former dwells o n the
collection of numerical dat a anal yzed b y
st at i st i cal a n a l y s i s , w h i l e t h e l at t er
deals wi t h descriptive, in-depth a n d
holistic dat a a n al y zed b y s u mma r i z i n g ,
cat eg ori zi n g a n d interpreting . O n this
note, y o u need to use quantitative
r e s e a r c h i f y o u w a n t t o c o n f i r m o r t est
a theory or hypothesis and use
q u a l i t a t i v e r e s e a r c h if y o u w a n t t o
understand concepts, thoughts and
experiences.
QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE
Data that can be numerically analyzed Non- numerical data that describes
and quantified into facts qualitie or feelings
MORE RESPONDENTS FEW RESPONDENTS
CLOSE ENDED QUESTIONS OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS
Primary focus is on testing theories and Focus is on exploring ideas and
hypothesis formulating theories
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE INTERVIEW( SEMI- STRUCTURED,
UBSTRUCTURED) FGD
Tables, graphs WORDS AND NARRATIVES,
PARAGRAPHS
1. What advice would you give to other working parents who are continuing
their college students?
2. Would you encourage other parents to continue their college studies?
3. Can you handle your roles being a parent and a college student at the
same time?
4. How do you handle your roles as a parent and as a college students at
the same time?
H e re is a simple example o n h o w you can apply t w o methods differently o n the
s a m e research question, “ H o w satisfied are students with their studies?
R ead and analyze Category Quantitative Qualitative
the following table
Question Who, What, When, Where How, What, Why
from “ Wha t is Domains
Qualitative
Common 150 to 200+ 10 to 15
Research” b y Sample Size
Ala suuta ri (2 0 11 )
Contact Time 10 to 20 minutes 45 to 240 minutes each
to b e d e e p l y
a c q u a in t e d w i t h Validity Must be true of most Must be true of each case or ideographic
quantitative a n d of the data or nomothetic (case-oriented)
(law- oriented)
qualitative
research ba se d o n Variables Define relationships and Describe relationship and establish
different establish general case meaning structures and contexts
categories. Outliers Unique positions lost Valuable descriptive cases with unique
to the weight of the access to average cases
average
Examples Surveys, numerical counts, Interviews, literature content reviews,
statistical analyses, real world observations, case studies,
mathematical modeling ethnographies
W h a t I H a v e Learned
W h a t are the two broad categories of research methods ? Fill in
the blanks to s h o w h o w they differ from one another.
1.______________________________ uses statistical data to explain a
p h e n o menon.
2.______________________________ aims to discuss and analyze
underlying concepts and theories related to the study.
3. ______________________________ identifies abstract concepts.
4. ______________________________ measures numerical results to
predict outcomes.
R e a d a n d anal y ze the following characteristics o f research m e t h o d
carefully. Classify whether it is for QUANTITATIVE or QUALITATIVE.
__________ 5. A i m s to characterize trends and patterns
__________ 6. Applies more flexible processes
__________ 7. Gains greater understanding o f group similarities
__________ 8. Follows structured processes
__ __ ___ __ _ 9. Emp l o y s structured research instruments
__________ 10. Chooses small sample sizes purposely
__________ 11. Focuses on greater understanding of individual
differences
__ __ ___ __ _ 12. Administers either unstructured o r s emi -structured
instruments
__________ 13. Provides deeper context and meaning
What I Know:
5. QUANTITATIVE
6. QUALITATIVE What I Have Learned:
7. QUANTITATIVE 1. Quantitative Research
8. QUANTITATIVE
[Link] Research
9. QUANTITATIVE
[Link] Research
10. QUALITATIVE
[Link] Research
11. QUALITATIVE
12. QUALITATIVE
13. QUALITATIVE
14. QUANTITATIVE
Using a n y available online or printed resources, find at least five
research titles conducted b y their respective researcher/s. Then,
identify whether the study utilized qualitative or quantitative method..
Research Titles Researcher/s Type of Method Used
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What I Can Do:
QUANTITATIVE
QUALITATIVE