Qualitative vs Quantitative Research: Similarities and Differences

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The main objective of this report is to analyze in detail the similarities and differences between
qualitative and quantitative research. According to American sociologist (Rubin, A., & Babbie,
E. R. (2017), research is a well-organized inquiry to narrate, explain, foretell, and control the
observed phenomenon. Research involves qualitative and quantitative methods.
As by (K.A Francis 2008) Qualitative research always tries to achieve and understand why
certain groups of people react and feel about certain situations they face. Quantitative research is
us used to measures numerical data that can be transformed into desirable statistics to help
predict possible outcomes. In general qualitative research always answers the 'why' questions
while quantitative research always tries to explain the 'what.' Even though the data acquired from
each method is different, similarities do exist between the two research tools.
Both qualitative and quantitative research methods are used to measures result obtained
from particular variables. For example, showing a group of students a picture and asking them
for their opinion is a qualitative tool. After getting the responses from the students and then
counted the outcome then those results would be taken as of quantitative research (K.A Francis
2008)
Both qualitative and quantitative methods can investigate the same occurrences (Bickman
& Rog, 2009). From the above qualitative research was completed first making quantitative
research possible. Determining the student's opinion would not be possible if they had not been
allowed to express themselves first. Either Qualitative or quantitative research can be
advantageous on its own, but also they can work together to make research more accessible.
In qualitative and quantitative research methods, the interviewee influences the final
findings (Bickman, L., & Rog, and D. J. (2009).This is because each interviewer accepts only
information that's is suitable for their study; hence, they have a lot of influence on the data
collected to be used.
Data used in both methods need to be analyzed. That depends on how the research was carried
out. When conducting a survey each response acquired has to be recorded independently and the
total outcome is compared to other answers (K.A Francis 2008)

The qualitative method only depends on explanations (Lewis, S. (2015). In this case, the
researcher is required to obtain the perception of the concept, opinions from respondents, and
their thinking. This is because, in qualitative research, the researcher is allowed to meet with
respondents physically making it possible for the researcher to get detailed information from
respondents. The respondents have the chance to ask for clarity on questions they cannot
comprehend, and therefore, this enables them to answer the questions correctly with no doubt.
By seeking detailed information from interviewees, errors reduce because the interviewer only
accepts convincing explanations.
Quantitative research uses data in the form of numbers, which can easily be interpreted to
measure the respondent's thoughts and opinions. In this case, the researcher might acquire false
or biased information which can be caused by incorrect responses from the respondents hence
making conclusions using the available data may lead to transmission of errors since the
researcher is absent to seek clarification and only relies on already collected data. Using the
qualitative methods such as one on one interviews, the researcher can be developed hypothesis
that can be tested after the data is evaluated. While using the quantitative method, it's easier to
cause errors, and the data collected may form patterns that may be difficult to interpret (Lewis,
S. (2015).
Qualitative data enables a researcher to quickly understand the individuals thinking
capacity only because it spends a lot of time with the respondents (Creswell, J. W. (2012).
This helps him to familiarize with the respondents making them comfortable. In quantitative
method is not easy to acquire respondents full thoughts because the data collection methods
do not involve direct contact but instead, the respondents are just needed to answer the
question asked hence the research may not meet its objective since information acquired might
be untrue and biased.
Qualitative research method cannot be used to collect information and data in largely
populated areas (Remler & Van, 2014). A lot of time and resources are required for the
interviewer to interact with the interviewee physically. Majority of the respondents will not be
willing to spend their time for interviews if they are not getting paid for it. Therefore, this
method is suitable only when collecting data from small areas. Quantitative method is ideal for
studies involving large areas; short duration of time is taken, and hence, the respondents cannot
be inconvenienced. Data collection methods such as open and closed questionnaires can be used
to quire information from a large number of respondents at the same time from which data can
be collected and taken for analysis (Judd, C. M., McClelland, G. H., & Ryan, C. S. (2009). In
using the method in large areas, it's cheap and less time is required
After the data collected is analyzed and represented, while using the quantitative method,
the presentation methods make it easier for viewers to understand and interpret their
meanings. Example use of graphs, t plots, and charts to represents information; An individual
can easily observe and interpret the data presented without a lot of difficulties. (Remler & Van,
2014). On the other side, the qualitative method makes it difficult to present the
information; therefore, individuals have to read carefully through a lot of detailed
explanations to understand the meaning of the data. Sometimes it might be tough to read
through lengthy details as it requires a lot of attention, and therefore, this type of data may be
suitable for an impatient group (Creswell, J. W. (2012).

Quantitative data makes it possible for researchers to make a conclusion or make an
opinion about a study (Remler & Van, 2014). Data that is always used in quantitative research
method is ever collected from large populations, and hence it still shows the general
characteristics of a population Example questionnaires can be administered to a specific group of
people in an area from the finding a researcher can get a good representation of the targeted
population. On the other side, JA Maxwell (2019) says that the small areas covered when
collecting data might not include accurate opinions about the people as only a low coverage
of the population respondents are involved; therefore, information acquired may not be
accurate.
Qualitative data is collected through a method such as group discussions, observations, and
interviews (Ablezova, 2014). The methods used in this type of plan allow the researcher to get
into contact with the respondents hence making him comfortable. The example most in most
researchers respondents refuses to take part as they feel that the information they give out might
be used against them in the future, therefore the presence of the interviewers might act as an
assurance of the data being handled carefully without accessing the wrong hands ( Berg, B. L.,
& Lune, H. (2004).Through interviews discussions, the researcher can be able to explain to the
respondents that their participation will be kept confidential. On the other hand, methods used in
collecting data in quantitative method do not provide interaction between the interviewee
and the interviewer and hence minimal information might be shared since observations of
respondent's emotions or feelings cannot be observed (McDavid, J. C., Huse, I., Hawthorn, L.
R. L., & McDavid, J. C. 2013).
Qualitative method is used to enhance understanding in various ways. Helps in the
development of ideas that can be used for quantitative research (Bickman & Rog, 2009). Can
also be used to depict attitudes and opinions among people, whereas quantitative research
method (P Shekhar, M Prince, and C Finelli (2019). Is used to measure facts in numerical
data or information collected that can be used to acquire different trends in the tested
population.
Use of statistical techniques to present information in a quantitative method might appear
complicated (Remler & Van, 2014). It looks complicated to people who lack mathematical
knowledge; therefore, they might misinterpret the results making this method not suitable to all
people. Unlike the quantitative method, (Fischer, C. T. 2006) qualitative research uses
elementary concepts to present their data. It only requires an individual to have reading skills
and understand the language used to express the result.
The use of quantitative methods require a lot of skills in mathematics and statistics hence
might seem very complicated as they need a lot of skills in statistics and mathematical
(Lewis, S. 2015). It also involves the implementation of complicated formulas; therefore,
interviewers and many researchers may avoid using such data representation methods, thus
giving shallow explanations. Data presentation using the quantitative techniques requires skills
such as graphs, charts may not apply to some people making many of the data collectors and
researchers to avoid the method as they need individuals with a lot of knowledge (Bryman, A.,
& Bell, E. 2015). On the other qualitative method does not require complicated skills to
interpret and represent the data collected provided that the research has a detailed
understanding of the findings he/she can explain more straightforwardly. In this, viewers of the