UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR
WESTERN MULTIDISCIPLINARY CAMPUS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
SEMINAR I
ESSAY
“WHAT DISTINGUISHES QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
METHODS FROM QUALITATIVE METHODS?”
PRESENTED BY:
BEATRIZ ADRIANA GARCIA
NELSON MARIN RUBALLOS
INSTRUCTOR
LICDA. DELURDY DE SERMEÑO
SANTA ANA, APRIL 29, 2014
“WHAT DISTINGUISHES QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
FROM QUALITATIVE METHODS?”
As Neville (2007) states: “…research is a process of inquiry and investigation; it is
systematic, methodical, and ethical; research can help solve problems and increase knowledge.”
In order to carry out this process, the researcher can make use of two main approaches which are
the quantitative and qualitative research. However, the researcher should know the main
differences between the quantitative approach and the qualitative approach.
One of the main differences is the type of data collected. Quantitative comes from the
latin quantitās, quantitāt- which refers to quantity. The emphasis of quantitative research is the
collection and analysis of numerical data, which can be measured in scales, ranges, frequencies,
etc. by using statistics. On the contrary, qualitative research does not deal with numerical data;
instead, the nature of qualitative research is more subjective than the quantitative research. By
being subjective, the qualitative research refers to examining and reflective tangible aspects such
as values, perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, emotions, etc.
The main research philosophies or positions can be other difference between the
quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitative view is described as a positivistic position as it
can be referred to realistic, objective, scientific, experimental, or traditionalist. The positivist
approach seeks to identify, measure, and evaluate any phenomena and then, provide a rational
explanation of it in a systematic way. In contrast, the qualitative research is described as a
phenomenological philosophy as it is subjective, humanistic, or interpretative. Phenomenological
approaches focus on the perspective of the human behavior, motivation, attitude, and feelings
which is not easily measured in a systematic way.
In addition, qualitative research is useful when the researcher wants to explore the
problem in depth, so the inductive approach is useful. The inductive approach refers to the
generalization of a particular situation, ideas, or theories. For example, the use of sampling
procedure to generalize the data collected into the whole population. On the contrary, qualitative
research explores a problem in depth. So, the deductive approach helps to select a “small”
population, not necessarily representative, in order to acquire in – depth understanding of the
phenomena. The deductive approach moves from general ideas to a particular situation.
Another difference is the type of questions used in both quantitative and qualitative
research. When using quantitative research, the researcher should use closed questions as it can
be easier for the respondents to answer and for the researcher to collate than open questions.
However, closed questions have some disadvantages, for instance, the limit of choices the
respondents have and the limit of depth in the phenomena. When using quantitative research, the
researcher should use open questions, which enable the researcher to explore below the surface
of the phenomena, encourage respondents to think and offer considered answers and to give
honest opinions. Nevertheless, it has some disadvantages; for example, the responses can be hard
to collate, and the researcher can find some difficulties to process and analyze the data collected.
The overall purpose of the qualitative and quantitative research is another difference
between them. Quantitative research tries to explain, predict and / or, in the best case, control
phenomena through focused collection of numerical data; such collection of numerical data can
be reflected by using non – participant observation, semi – structured or formal interviews, or the
administration of tests and questionnaires (with closed questions, of course). The qualitative
research tries to explain and gain insight and understanding of phenomena through intensive
collection of narrative data which can be collected by using document collection, participant
observation, unstructured or informal interviews, or extensive and detailed notes of the
phenomena.
Finally, another main difference is the data interpretation of the quantitative and
qualitative research. First, quantitative research interpretations are stifled until all the data is
collected and statistically analyzed. As a result, the conclusions and generalizations are
formulated at the end of the study. Those conclusions and generalizations contain a degree of
certainty according to statistics. Second, qualitative research interpretations are continually
subjective and need constantly analysis and synthesis of data. Of course, most of the conclusions
are tentative and reviewed, and follow ongoing basis. Therefore, generalizations are speculative
or non – existent as they do not follow a statistic procedure.
As a result, the researcher should select the most suitable type of research according to
the purpose of the study, the nature of the data, the hypothesis, and so on in order to obtain
quality in the results and a well – designed research project.
REFERENCES
Caputi,
P.
(2010,
Agosto
25).
SAGEPUB.
Retrieved
Marzo
2014,
from
http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/36869_muijs.pdf
Eliot, S. (2010). Ten Distinctions between Quantitative and Qualitative Studies. The Listening
Resource, 1 - 2.