Research is an essential element today in every field. Research focussed on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to gain insight into several aspects of society, economy or environment to find solutions to a problem or to discover new phenomena. There are two broad categories of research methods: Qualitative research and Quantitative research. Qualitative research is a research design that focuses on understanding the meaning and experiences from the perspective of the data collected, while quantitative research deals with data that can be measured, quantified, and analyzed.
Definition of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is a method that involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data in a non-numerical form. It is not concerned with numbers but instead explores and quickens understanding and interpretation of theoretical, social, and cultural phenomenon. Qualitative research is often used in disciplines such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, ethnography, clinical research, and education, among others.
Qualitative research aims to provide meaningful insights into the understanding of human behavior, attitudes, beliefs, and motivations, as well as social and cultural relationships. It is a method that emphasizes the personal and subjective nature of human experience.
However, it is significant to note that qualitative research is not a homogenous or standardizable research method. It is diverse and flexible because the research design and methods depend on the research question and how the researcher wishes to approach the data collection and analysis.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
The characteristics of qualitative research are as follow:
1. Data Collection Method – Qualitative research uses various data collection techniques that rely on observation, participation, and interaction. These techniques include interviews, observation, case studies, focus groups, and content analysis.
2. Subjective – Qualitative research is subjective and is deeply rooted in the personal experiences of the research subject. It is concerned with interpreting and understanding the meaning of human behavior and experiences.
3. Sample Size – Qualitative research often utilizes small sample sizes, and the research findings are usually grounded in the specific context in which the research is conducted.
4. Inductive approach – Qualitative research follows an inductive approach where the researcher develops a theory from the data collected.
5. Flexibility – Qualitative research is flexible; it can be adapted to any particular circumstance. Additionally, researchers have the freedom to adjust and modify research questions and procedures in response to emerging data.
6. Time-consuming – Research duration is usually long because qualitative research requires a more comprehensive exploration of the data set.
7. Non-Generalizable – The research findings are specific to the researched group and do not represent any larger population.
How is Qualitative Research Different from Quantitative Research
The primary focus of qualitative research is on subjective data, which cannot be numerically analyzed, while quantitative research is concerned with objective data, which can be numerically analyzed. The table below provides a summary of the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.
Data Form: Qualitative research is subjective data that cannot be measured or numerically analyzed. It can be observations, personal narrative or even storytelling, whereas quantitative research involves data, which can be measured and analyzed.
Research question: Qualitative research involves open-ended questions, leading to an open response from the research subject. It focuses on the experiences and views of individuals, whereas quantitative research often involves closed-ended questions to which the researcher can achieve a direct measurable response. The questions used in quantitative research are often objective.
Data Collection: Qualitative research relies on small sample sizes, which allow researchers to collect in-depth, rich, and detailed information about a particular phenomenon or research subject. Data is collected by means of observation, interviews, surveys, or case studies. On the other hand, quantitative research involves a larger sample size, which can provide more significant representation of the population. The data is collected using standardized questionnaires or online software systems.
Analysis Method: Qualitative research is interpretive, and researchers try to find meaning in individual and subjective experiences. Data analysis is done using various methods, including thematic analysis, grounded theory, and content analysis. On the other hand, quantitative research is statistical, and data is analyzed using a range of statistical tools and software.
Research Purpose: The primary purpose of qualitative research is to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the data set. The data can provide insights for developing new theories, validating theories, or identifying potential research questions. In contrast, quantitative research often tests hypotheses or theories.
Researcher Observed: In qualitative research, the researcher is an unobserved entity. The research objective is to understand the data based on the participant’s perspective; thus, researchers obtain data from interviews, focus groups, or observation. In contrast, quantitative research involves direct involvement by the researcher, often in the form of questionnaires or research surveys.
Theory Development: Qualitative research follows an inductive approach, meaning researchers start with the available data and derive meaning and develop theory from these data. On the other hand, quantitative research follows a deductive approach where the researcher formulates a hypothesis and aims to test the hypothesis.
When comparing qualitative research with quantitative research, it is important to note each method's strengths and weaknesses. Qualitative research is often used to provide insights into the complexity of human behavior and experience. It can provide researchers with a deeper understanding of the research subject. Quantitative research, on the other hand, is often used for hypothesis testing, testing theories, or making predictions. It provides less in-depth information, but it is often more reliable, and the results can be generalized to a larger population.
Conclusion
Qualitative research follows an inductive approach, and its purpose is to explore and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. It is subjective and uses small sample sizes. Researchers use various methods to collect data, and data analysis is done using interpretive methods such as grounded theory, thematic analysis, or content analysis. On the other hand, quantitative research is objective, and its purpose is often to test hypotheses. It often involves a larger sample size and statistical data analysis.
Qualitative research is essential in fields such as anthropology, psychology, sociology, and clinical research. The strength of qualitative research is in its ability to provide researchers with a deeper understanding of the research subject's experience and behavior. As such, its application has helped shape several theories and methods in various fields. When choosing a research method, researchers must consider their research question and the type of data required to the extent that their research can be as credible, reliable, and valid as possible.
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