Difference between qualitative and quantitative research and advantages of each

Questions about the difference between qualitative and quantitative research are very common, especially when the long-awaited Course Completion Work phase arrives for undergraduate students.

However, it is important to know that these research methods are not only useful for undergraduate studies, as they help in the construction of scientific materials of different purposes and natures.

Thinking about it, today we’ll talk briefly on this issue, so that you understand what these types of research are and how they should be applied. Continue reading!

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research? Understand both concepts

When doubts about the difference between qualitative and quantitative research arise, in general, the intention is to discover the best method to be used.

But, before anything else, it is important to understand that this answer does not exist, considering that each method has its own importance and purpose.

This is because the real difference between these surveys is the type of data you want to obtain through them.

So, depending on the intended results of a research, it will be necessary to choose between the methods in order to find the one that best suits the central proposal of the study.

See below the explanations about each of the methods, so it will be easier to understand the differences between them.

Qualitative research

When we talk about qualitative research we are referring to an analysis method that aims to collect information that explains reasons, motivations and opinions on a given subject.

So, in this type of research the aim is not to find numbers, percentages or data to support opinions, but rather to justify them through occurrences and circumstances.

In general, qualitative research is carried out through interviews and questionnaires, aiming to find answers and opinions on the central subject.

So, in this type of research, we do not want to know how many women are housewives, but rather why these women decided to develop this activity.

This is a method widely used by sociology and psychology to find reasons and social problems, but it is also useful for other areas depending on the way it is approached.

Quantitative research

Quantitative research is a method where the central purpose is to collect numerical data that enables the creation of useful statistics.

So, returning to the example from the previous topic, in quantitative research we do not want to know the circumstances for a woman to become a housewife, but rather how many women are housewives, and how many have chosen to pursue a profession.

This is an objective method that aims to establish realities and concrete data about a given problem.

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What are the advantages and disadvantages?

To talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each research method, it is important to understand that the purpose of each of them is different.

This is because, as we explained previously, the true difference between qualitative and quantitative research is the type of information or data that you want to obtain based on the central purpose of the analysis.

Therefore, depending on the purpose of a given study, each research method may prove to be more or less useful, and in some cases it may be necessary to use both to complement results.

So, going back to our example, qualitative and quantitative research could be used as follows:

Step 1: in a quantitative survey, determine how many, among 50 women, are housewives, and how many follow a profession.

Step 2: With the data obtained from the last survey, in a new qualitative research, we determine what reasons led these women to opt for unpaid domestic service.

Therefore, it is clear that in a single scientific material it is possible to use both methods, considering that each of them proves useful for a certain purpose.

In which cases should qualitative and quantitative research be used?

As we saw previously, there is no rule to determine which type of research is most advantageous, as each of them has a greater degree of usefulness for a given purpose.

Therefore, to determine in which cases you should use each of the methods, it is crucial that you ask yourself what data you want to obtain: do you want an explanation or do you want a number?

If your objective is to find information that justifies a certain problem, qualitative research is the most appropriate.

For those who intend to find numbers that make it possible to present the topic through statistics, it is worth prioritizing quantitative research.

In any case, as we discussed, nothing prevents you from using both methods, so organize your project and determine which paths you want to follow.

Finally, now that you know the difference between qualitative and quantitative research, stay more simple complete your studies!

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