Qualitative Vs. Quantitative Research (redux)~GM Lectures

Summary

This video explores the differences between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. It outlines how qualitative research focuses on understanding social phenomena from participants' perspectives, using flexible, context-specific sampling and inductive data analysis. In contrast, quantitative research emphasizes testing theories through statistical analysis, large sample sizes, and deductive reasoning. The video also compares research goals, data collection methods, researcher roles, and hypothesis formulation, highlighting how each approach impacts generalizability, study design, and data interpretation. Understanding these differences helps researchers select the appropriate approach for their studies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Qualitative research is an inquiry process aimed at understanding a social or human problem through words and detailed perspectives of participants in a natural setting.
• 😀 Quantitative research tests theories using variables measured with numbers and statistical analysis to explain social or human problems.
• 😀 Qualitative research assumes the world is complex, with no single variable or number able to explain it, while quantitative research assumes that physical reality can be understood through laws of nature and science.
• 😀 The goal of qualitative research is to understand social phenomena by interpreting the participants' perspectives, whereas quantitative research seeks to explain the causes of phenomena through objective measurement and numerical analysis.
• 😀 In qualitative research, data is subjective and depends on the perspectives of individual participants, meaning results are context-specific and not easily generalizable.
• 😀 Quantitative research relies on large, randomized samples to ensure that results can be generalized to the larger population, as long as proper statistical procedures are used.
• 😀 Qualitative research uses methods such as interviews, observations, and focus group discussions, while quantitative research relies on surveys, experiments, and statistical datasets.
• 😀 In qualitative research, hypotheses are flexible and evolve during the study, whereas quantitative research requires specific, testable hypotheses stated at the start.
• 😀 The role of the researcher in qualitative research is to actively interact with participants, while in quantitative research, the researcher remains impartial and detached from the study process.
• 😀 Understanding the differences between qualitative and quantitative research helps researchers choose the appropriate design for their study, ensuring the correct methodology is applied to meet research goals.

Q & A

What is the main difference between qualitative and quantitative research?

Qualitative research focuses on understanding social phenomena through detailed descriptions and personal perspectives, while quantitative research seeks to explain phenomena using numerical data and statistical analysis.

How does qualitative research view the world compared to quantitative research?

Qualitative research sees the world as complex and shaped by individual perspectives, while quantitative research views the world as governed by laws of nature and science, which can be objectively measured.

What is the role of participants in qualitative research?

In qualitative research, participants' experiences, beliefs, and perspectives shape the understanding of the phenomenon being studied, with the focus on the subjective and contextual views of each individual.

How are samples selected in qualitative versus quantitative research?

Qualitative research uses purposive sampling, selecting participants based on their knowledge and relevance to the study, while quantitative research employs random sampling to ensure objectivity and generalizability.

What are the goals of qualitative and quantitative research?

Qualitative research aims to understand and interpret reality based on participants' perspectives, while quantitative research seeks to explain causes and establish relationships through numerical analysis.

How do the designs of qualitative and quantitative research differ?

Qualitative research designs are flexible and evolving, allowing for changes based on emerging data, while quantitative research designs are structured, predetermined, and focused on verifying hypotheses.

What is the difference between hypothesis formulation in qualitative and quantitative research?

In qualitative research, the hypothesis is flexible and evolves during the study, while in quantitative research, the hypothesis is specific, testable, and established at the beginning of the study.

How does generalizability differ between qualitative and quantitative research?

Qualitative research assumes generalizations are context-dependent and specific to the study's setting, while quantitative research assumes that findings can be generalized to a larger population if the sample is representative.

What is the method of data analysis in qualitative and quantitative research?

Qualitative research uses an inductive approach, identifying patterns and themes from the data, while quantitative research uses a deductive approach, testing hypotheses and analyzing data statistically.

What role does the researcher play in qualitative versus quantitative research?

In qualitative research, the researcher interacts directly with participants to gather insights, whereas in quantitative research, the researcher remains impartial and detached to maintain objectivity in the data collection process.