A Comparative Analysis: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Methods

This assignment provides a comparative analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods. It begins by outlining the steps and challenges associated with quantitative research, including issues related to problem identification, literature review, fieldwork, conceptual framework development, hypothesis formulation, research design selection, population identification, sampling, variable computation, ethical considerations, data collection, data arrangement, data analysis, and result interpretation. The report then contrasts quantitative and qualitative approaches, highlighting differences in data types (numerical vs. characteristics), research focus (analysis across people vs. individual relationships), result generation (algorithms vs. researcher experience), objectivity, validity, sampling techniques, research type (conclusive vs. exploratory), data measurability, and data analysis methods. It emphasizes the implications of each method for business decision-making and product design, providing a comprehensive overview of their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Running head: COMPARISION BETWEEN TWO RESEARCH METHODS
Comparison between two Research Methods
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1COMPARISION BETWEEN TWO RESEARCH METHODS
Table of Contents
a) Quantitative research - Steps and key challenge:.....................................................................2
b) Comparison between Quantitative and Qualitative research......................................................3

2COMPARISION BETWEEN TWO RESEARCH METHODS
a) Quantitative research - Steps and key challenge:
Researchers may have to face the following major challenges in each step of a
quantitative research.
 Identification of the problem: Due to lack of creativity, it becomes difficult to identify a
research problem.
 Review of the literature relevant to the topic: Sometime it is seen that few researchers
have researched on the related topic.
 Undertaking fieldwork: This step is time-consuming.
 Defining the conceptual framework:
Researchers should have conceptual justification to avoid the difficulty to define the
framework.
 Preparing hypothesis: Research questions should be clearly mentioned to formulate a
hypothesis.
 Selection of research design: Selection of an inaccurate research design may lead to bias
during the data collection.
 Identification of population: Population may not be identified specifically due to the
lack of experience.
 Designing sample plan: It is not easy to identify the suitable sample size for the
research.
 Methods to compute variables: Many methods are available to compute the research
variables. Hence, it is tough to identify accurate method.

3COMPARISION BETWEEN TWO RESEARCH METHODS
 Ethical consideration: Many ethical issues arise during the data collection. Due to these
issues, desired data cannot be collected.
 Data collection: Data may not be collected properly due to some reasons like cost, lack
of time, ethical issues etc.
 Arrangement of data: Data may not be arranged properly due to the lack of knowledge
of the researchers to use these statistical tools.
 Data analysis: The analysis may be erroneous if complex procedure is introduced.
 Interpretation of result: The results may be interpreted wrongly if adequate methods are
not taken to analyze the data.
 Findings and Recommendation: The findings and recommendation may be misleading
if the result is not interpreted properly.
b) Comparison between Quantitative and Qualitative research
Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
Data from quantitative research
provides significant information for
business decision.
Qualitative research provides valuable data for
use in the design of a product.
Numerical data is used in quantitative
research.
Characteristics of something are used in
quantitative research.
There is a trend in quantitative
research to conduct the analysis across
the people.
Qualitative research hubs the study on persons
and on the relations between persons.

4COMPARISION BETWEEN TWO RESEARCH METHODS
Algorithms are used to produce the
results.
Own experience of the researcher is used
to understand the phenomena that are
being researched.
It is an objective research method. It is a subjective research method.
The validity of the research process
depends on the used methods such as
algorithm, sample size and sampling
techniques.
Validity of the research depends on the skill
of the researcher as well as the rationality of
the findings.
This research is Particularistic in nature This method is holistic in nature.
Random sampling method is used in this
research.
Purposive sampling technique is used.
It is a conclusive type research. It is a exploratory type research.
Data is measurable in this research
method.
Verbal data is used in this research.

5COMPARISION BETWEEN TWO RESEARCH METHODS
Result-oriented inquiry is used. Process-oriented inquiry should be used in
qualitative research.
Numerical data should be used to analyse
the data.
Pictures, words are used to analyse the data.
Surveys, observations and questionnaires
are conducted to collect data.
Data is mainly collected through interviews.
This method recommends ultimate course
of action.
This method helps to develop the
preliminary perceptive.