Qualitative vs. Quantiative
Qualitative Research gathers data about lived experiences, emotions or behaviors, and the meanings individuals attach to them. It helps researchers gain a better understanding of complex concepts, social interactions or cultural phenomena. This type of research explores how or why things have occurred, interprets events and describes actions.
Quantitative Research gathers numerical data which can be ranked, measured or categorized through statistical analysis. It assists with uncovering patterns or relationships, and making generalizations. This type of research is useful for finding out how many, how much, how often, or to what extent.
Qualitative Methods |
Quantitative Methods |
|---|---|
| Interviews: can be structured, semi-structured or unstructured. | Surveys or Questionnaires: the same questions asked to large numbers of participants (e.g., Likert scale response) (see book below). |
| Focus Groups: several participants discussing a topic or set of questions. | Experiments: test hypothesis in controlled conditions (see video below). |
| Observations: can be on-site, in-context, or role play (see video below). | Observations: counting the number of times a phenomenon occurs or coding observed data in order to translate it into numbers. |
| Document Analysis: analysis of correspondence or reports. | Document Screening: using numerical data from financial reports or counting word occurrences. |
| Oral History or Life Stories: memories told to a researcher. |
- Video: Intro to Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research There are two approaches to collecting and analyzing data: qualitative research and quantitative research. This video will explain the differences between the two research methods, as well as the mixed-methods approach.
- Video: Empirical Studies (Advanced): Quantitative vs Qualitative Research This video walks you through the differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Qualitative vs. Quantiative Research Qualitative vs Quantitative Research: Differences, Examples & Methods
Correlational vs. Experimental
Correlational Research cannot determine causal relationships. Instead they examine relationships between variables.
Experimental Research can establish causal relationship and variables can be manipulated.
- Correlational vs. Experimental Studies In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally occurring variables, whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
Empirical vs. Non-Empirical
Empirical Studies are based on evidence. The data is collected through experimentation or observation.
Non-empirical Studies focus on theories, methods, and their implications for research (e.g., literature reviews, theoretical articles, editorials).