Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research: The Differences Explained | Scribbr 🎓

Summary

In this educational video, Jessica from Scribbr distinguishes between quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative research, ideal for testing hypotheses, involves larger sample sizes and numerical data analyzed through statistical means. Qualitative research, conversely, is exploratory, yielding rich, descriptive data from fewer participants, analyzed through summarization and interpretation. Jessica also introduces mixed methods research, combining both approaches, and illustrates their application through an example of gauging student satisfaction. The video briefly covers data collection methods for each approach, encouraging viewers to explore further through linked resources.

Takeaways

• 🔢 Quantitative research focuses on testing hypotheses using numerical data and larger sample sizes, analyzed through mathematical and statistical methods.
• 📝 Qualitative research aims to formulate hypotheses, relying on textual data and smaller sample sizes, with analysis involving summarizing, categorizing, and interpreting.
• 🔍 The choice between quantitative and qualitative research depends on the research goal: testing a theory (quantitative) or exploring an idea (qualitative).
• 🤝 Mixed methods research combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches, providing a more comprehensive understanding of a research question.
• 🎯 In a quantitative study example, a survey of 300 students could reveal average satisfaction levels with professors.
• 🗣️ For a qualitative approach, interviews with 15 students might uncover specific desires such as more individual guidance from professors.
• 🔄 Mixed methods can start with interviews to generate hypotheses, then surveys to test these on a larger scale, or vice versa.
• 🌐 Quantitative data collection methods include online, in-person, or phone surveys, experiments, and observations.
• 🗂️ Qualitative data collection involves interviews, focus groups, case studies, and literature reviews.
• 👍 The video encourages viewers to like if they learned something and to ask questions for further clarification.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between quantitative and qualitative research?

Quantitative research focuses on testing hypotheses and involves numerical data and statistical analysis, while qualitative research is geared towards formulating hypotheses and involves textual data and interpretive analysis.

What type of data is typically collected in quantitative research?

In quantitative research, data is collected in the form of numbers and graphs, which are then analyzed using mathematical and statistical methods.

How does the sample size differ between quantitative and qualitative research?

Quantitative research requires a larger sample size, whereas qualitative research typically involves fewer respondents due to its in-depth nature.

What is the main goal of using quantitative research?

Quantitative research is used when the goal is to confirm or test a theory or hypothesis, often using statistical analysis to draw conclusions.

In what scenarios would one choose qualitative research over quantitative?

Qualitative research is chosen when the aim is to understand or explore an idea, often yielding insights through open-ended questions and in-depth analysis.

Can you explain the mixed method approach in research?

The mixed method approach combines both quantitative and qualitative research. It can start with qualitative research to gain insights and then use quantitative methods to test these insights on a larger scale, or vice versa.

How does the data analysis process differ between the two research methods?

In quantitative research, data is analyzed through statistical methods, while in qualitative research, data is analyzed by summarizing, categorizing, and interpreting the textual information.

What is an example of a question that could be asked in a quantitative research survey?

An example of a quantitative research survey question could be, 'On a scale from 1 to 5, how satisfied are you with your professors?'

How can qualitative research help in understanding student satisfaction?

Qualitative research, such as interviews, can reveal in-depth insights like 'students would like to have more one-on-one guidance from their professors,' which might not be captured in quantitative data.

What are some common methods for collecting quantitative data?

Common methods for collecting quantitative data include online surveys, in-person surveys, phone surveys, conducting experiments, and observations.

What are some methods for collecting qualitative data as mentioned in the script?

Methods for collecting qualitative data include interviews, focus groups, case studies, and literature reviews.

How can the mixed method approach be applied in a study about student satisfaction?

In a study about student satisfaction, the mixed method approach could involve conducting interviews to understand student preferences and then testing these preferences through a larger survey to confirm their validity across a broader student population.