Difference Between Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods in Social Sciences

This essay discusses the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods in social sciences. It explores the theoretical approaches, methodologies, and sample sizes used in each method. The essay also provides an analysis of key arguments from quantitative and qualitative articles on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HEALTH AND
SOCIAL CARE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
PART 1 SECTION 1.......................................................................................................................3
Theoretical approaches for Qualitative Research........................................................................3
PART 1 SECTION 2.......................................................................................................................4
What types of methodologies are commonly used in quantitative research? Why? ...................4
What types of methodologies are commonly used in qualitative research? Why? .....................4
Why do sample sizes differ between quantitative and qualitative research methodologies? .....5
PART 2 ...........................................................................................................................................5
Explanation of key arguments of quantitative articles ................................................................5
Explanation of Key arguments of qualitative articles..................................................................6
Comparison of data collection methods ......................................................................................6
Explanation of reason for selection of data collection methods .................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................9
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INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the present essay is to differentiate between quantitative and qualitative
research methods that are adopted for conducting studies in social sciences. Research methods
comprise of procedures that are utilized for data gathering and its analysis. These includes
experiments, interviews, surveys and observations. Social science constitutes the branch of
sciences that studies relationships that exist among individuals as well as within the societies. It
also deals with the study of social and cultural aspects of human behavior (Reiter, 2017). The
present essay will be divided into two parts. In the first part, section 1 will describe the
theoretical ideas of different approaches. The key differences between quantitative and
qualitative research will be described in the next section. Following it, part 2 will be based on 2
qualitative articles and 2 quantitative articles. Key arguments of the articles will be explained
followed by comparison of their data collection methods.
Qualitative research is defined as a research that lays emphasis on applying humanistic
and idealistic approaches for analyzing a research query. Quantitative research, in contrast to this
is defined as gathering quantifiable data and conducting its systematic investigation through use
of computational, mathematical and statistical techniques (Sovacool, Axsen and Sorrell, 2018).
Positivism research philosophy focuses on considering that there is an objective way to
understand the social world. Interpretivism research philosophy emphasizes on the principle that
a special role is played by the researcher while making observation of the social world. It further
depends on the interests of the researcher.
PART 1 SECTION 1
Theoretical approaches for Qualitative Research
Qualitative approach refer to the process in which the human belief and the word report
of the research. It represents the education, sociology, health science etc. there are 4 type of
approaches used in the qualitative research in theoretical approach, here are the following:
Ethnography: It represents the data of the theoretical by the geographical location but it has it
include virtual group or organizational. It is a great method and having a practitioner method.
The most common way of this method of theoretical is participation observation.
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Phenomenology: This approach of qualitative research is done on the sociology and the
psychology. It is the though which emphasize focus on people experience and interpretation of
world.
Field Researcher: Field research refer to the process in which the researcher find the
information and data collection in the field research. It is very crucial for the researcher to find
the research in the field as it give a wider data collection and help in increasing data.
Ground Theory: Ground theory refer to the process of developing the theory of interest. It is
important for the researcher in developing better research (Ngozwana, 2018).
The interpretivism approach to the research is important in the qualitative as it gives
social science of the given topic and also help in understanding the human belief. The qualitative
research works in the human belief and emotion. These process works according to the research
and interpretivism help in development of research. The research need to improved through the
human belief and it required a qualitative research to provide the best of the research data in the
human belief (Snyder, 2019).
PART 1 SECTION 2
What types of methodologies are commonly used in quantitative research? Why?
The qualitative research refer to the process of developing the research in the numerical
data representation. It gives the research in the statistical data and also provide the representation
of data through the research. It includes the approach of positivism and need to do the SPSS
approach to calculate the process of data (Zangirolami-Raimundo, Echeimberg and Leone,
2018). It is the process which help in finding the pattern and average of the given data in the
numerical way. It also test cause relationship of the research topic and provide the information.
The research philosophies need to be done in positivism and the approach need to be SPSS.
Quantitative research use descriptive research to simply seek the summary overall between the
study variable. The experimental research provide the systematically examine weather the cause
and effective relationship between the variable.
What types of methodologies are commonly used in qualitative research? Why?
The research methodology refer to the process of doing the research in the given topic by
the researcher. RM require a proper process of development of all the data on the given topic.
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Qualitative research type refer to the presentation of the word format of the data collected in the
research. It includes the inductive research approach which refer to the approach which start
from the observation of the theories and are proposed towards the end of the research process for
observation. Inductive approach help in more engaged teaching and learning process and help the
research get better and in-depth. The data collection in the qualitative research are done in both
the primary and the secondary collection. Primary include the first-hand data and on the other
hand the secondary data collection include the second hand data for the given topic by the person
to the researcher. Qualitative research help in understanding the human believes and it gives
better information in the research as compared to statistical data of the quantitative research
methodology. Quantitative just provide the statistical data and lack in the non-statistical data.
Why do sample sizes differ between quantitative and qualitative research methodologies?
The difference between the sample size of the qualitative and quantitative research is that
they are calculated through different ways and with different strategies to be used in the process
of data collection in either. There are different strategies of the qualitative sampling strategies
including case sampling, intensity sampling, maximum variation sampling, homogeneous
sampling of data, typical case sampling etc. On the other hand quantitative sampling are different
from the qualitative research. The sample size difference as they are working in the non-
statistical data in the qualitative research. They use data of color, gender, religion, nationality etc
Quantitative research include the length, size, weight, mass and many more. It works to find the
average etc. it test in hypothesis and give the future prediction and because of that it vary in the
sample size in quantitative research of methodology (Dźwigoł and Dźwigoł-Barosz, 2018).
PART 2
Explanation of key arguments of quantitative articles
Shah, N. et al. (2020) argue that the prevalence of mental health conditions among st
doctors is high. The authors explored the impact of Covid 19 on mental health of gynaecologists
and obstetricians. It was found that the taboo that the mental health carries, still persists.
Jia, R. et al. (2020) argue that in the UK it was evident that psychological mobility was
increased and was more common in the younger people. Increased psychological mobility was
also found in women and individuals who were identified as high risks groups for Covid 19. The
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author argued that interventions in public health and mental health can be effective in boosting
positive mood and reducing the worry about Covid- 19.
Explanation of Key arguments of qualitative articles
Williams, S. N. et al. (2020) argued that it is necessary to undertake a rapid response
regarding public health program so that mental health impacts of social distancing and isolation
during Covid- 19 can be managed.
Irawan, A.W., Dwisona, D. and Lestari, M., (2020) argued that students found it boring
to learn from online mode after two weeks of learning from home. The authors also argued that
larger number of assignments led to mood changes among the students.
Comparison of data collection methods
Quantitative articles
Shah, N. et al. (2020) collected the data through a cross section survey. The sample
consisted of 207 doctors comprising of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists. Cross section surveys
comprise of collection of data so that inferences about a population could be made. This method
of data collection is beneficial for approval or disapproval of assumptions. Further, it also assists
the researcher to capture a specific point in time. As compared to this, Jia, R. et al. (2020) also
utilized a cross sectional online survey to analyze the mental health in UK during Covid- 19
pandemic. However, as compared to the small sample size of 207 used by Shah, N. et al. (2020),
the study by Jia, R. et al. (2020) comprised of a sample size of 3097 adults equal to or above 18
years of age. While Jia, R. et al. (2020) collected data through online surveys, Shah, N. et al.
(2020) gathered the data by distributing surveys through a number of methods. These included
newsletters, emails and through social media.
Qualitative articles
Williams, S. N. et al. (2020) conducted five online focus groups with a sample of 27
participants. As compared to this, Irawan, Dwisona and Lestari, (2020) conducted the study
wherein telephonic Interviews were used as the method of data collection. The sample size was
30 and the sample comprised of students of Mulawarman University. Irawan, Dwisona and
Lestari, (2020) conducted the research by using qualitative method. Phenomenology type of
research was conducted to determine the understanding of the experiences of the research subject
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regarding online learning. As compared to this Williams, S. N. et al. (2020) conducted a
qualitative study.
Explanation of reason for selection of data collection methods
Quantitative articles
Survey method was used for collecting the data because Shah, et al. (2020) required to
collect demographics as well as information about past mental health history. The authors were
also required to collect information about symptoms of depression and contributory factors. Jia,
et al. (2020) also collected information from large sample size. The main reason behind using
survey as data collection method was that these helped in providing description of a large
population. Moreover, surveys also provided flexibility to the researchers. These could be
administered using various modes such as email, social media, online and paper surveys.
Furthermore, surveys provide the benefit of anonymity to the respondents which allows them to
provide more valid answers to the questions (Allen, 2017). Therefore, they assist in gathering
accurate information from the sample.
Qualitative articles
Irawan, Dwisona and Lestari, (2020) used telephonic interviews so that physical meetings
could be avoided. The authors needed information regarding psychological impacts of students
on online learning. Interviews provide the benefit of enabling the researcher to collect in- depth
information and explore the causes behind the problem (Esser and Vliegenthart, 2017). Further,
these assist in carrying out detailed analysis. Hence, these served the purpose of the study
conducted by Irawan, Dwisona and Lestari, (2020) as the authors required to analyse
psychological impacts in relation to online learning.
Williams, S. N. et al. (2020) used focus group as the method of data collection. The
reason behind choosing this method was that valuable output is achieved through focus group
discussion. It also helps in gathering the data in less time (Taguchi and St. Pierre, 2017).
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CONCLUSION
The report concludes that it is important for the researcher to find the best of the research
methodology data and understand the difference between the qualitative and quantitative
research methodology on the topic. It is crucial for the researcher to make sure that they get to
know about the information which are required to deal in the research. Both the qualitative and
quantitative research approaches of the research are different and need to be understood. Further
it conclude that working on the methodology it is important for the researcher to find the best
approach in the process so to deal with the situation in the process of research methodology.
 The research need to be done properly and when the research ask for the statistical data
then it required the quantitative research method in methodology.
 Non-statistical data is done the qualitative research methodology and it provides the
human believes and give emotion and feelings of the human in the research.
 Sample size vary from the research type and it is crucial to understand the research aim
and objective so that the sample size can be find.
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REFERENCES
Journals and books
Allen, M. ed., 2017. The SAGE encyclopedia of communication research methods. Sage
Publications.
Esser, F. and Vliegenthart, R., 2017. Comparative research methods. The international
encyclopedia of communication research methods. pp.1-22.
Irawan, A.W., Dwisona, D. and Lestari, M., 2020. Psychological Impacts of Students on Online
Learning During the Pandemic COVID-19. KONSELI: Jurnal Bimbingan dan
Konseling (E-Journal). 7(1). pp.53-60.
Jia, R. and et.al., 2020. Mental health in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional
analyses from a community cohort study. BMJ open. 10(9). p. e040620. doi:
10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040620.
Reiter, B., 2017. Theory and methodology of exploratory social science research.
Shah, N. and et.al., 2020. Mental health amongst obstetrics and gynaecology doctors during the
COVID-19 pandemic: Results of a UK-wide study. European Journal of
Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. 253. pp. 90–94.
Sovacool, B.K., Axsen, J. and Sorrell, S., 2018. Promoting novelty, rigor, and style in energy
social science: towards codes of practice for appropriate methods and research
design. Energy Research & Social Science. 45. pp.12-42.
Taguchi, H.L. and St. Pierre, E.A., 2017. Using concept as method in educational and social
science inquiry. Qualitative Inquiry. 23(9). pp.643-648.
Williams, S. N. and et.al., 2020. Public perceptions and experiences of social distancing and
social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a UK-based focus group study.
BMJ open. 10(7). p. e039334. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039334.
Snyder, H., 2019. Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and
guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, pp.333-339.
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Zangirolami-Raimundo, J., Echeimberg, J.D.O. and Leone, C., 2018. Research methodology
topics: Cross-sectional studies. Journal of Human Growth and
Development, 28(3), pp.356-360.
Dźwigoł, H. and Dźwigoł-Barosz, M., 2018. Scientific research methodology in management
sciences. Financial and credit activity: problems of theory and practice, 2(25),
pp.424-437.
Ngozwana, N., 2018. Ethical Dilemmas in Qualitative Research Methodology: Researcher's
Reflections. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 4(1), pp.19-28.
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