Quantitative and Qualitative Methods: A Detailed Analysis

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods, contrasting their approaches, strengths, and weaknesses. Quantitative research employs empirical methods and numeric data, analyzed through statistical techniques to establish causal relationships objectively. Qualitative research, conversely, uses subjective analysis, relying on researcher discretion to interpret interviews and observations, offering in-depth contextual understanding. The essay also discusses mixed study designs, which combine both methodologies to leverage their respective strengths, particularly valuable in social research for a more holistic understanding. Examples are provided to illustrate the application of each method, emphasizing how mixed methods can address complex research questions by integrating quantifiable data with qualitative insights.

Running head: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS
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1QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS
Quantitative research involves use of empirical methods to investigate a particular issue
or phenomenon or research questions. The data are numeric or can be easily be converted to
numeric value and is analyzed using statistical methods. The approach utilize the theory of
mathematical and statistical research and applies it to understand the topic under study from an
objective point of view using descriptive statistics and whereby they frame statistical conjectures
and attempt to either accept or refute the validity of said conjectures based on available or
collected data which is conformable to a measurable or numeric or quantifiable form using tools
of inferential statistics. Therefore it is understood that quantitative methods allow for analyzing
situations which can be measured in numbers and can be tackled objectively. Causal
relationships and the degree of the causal relationships are of particular interest to quantitative
methods. For example, consider the problem where one is interested in determining whether
female managers are less or more likely to work longer than their male counterparts. Here the
phenomenon under study is the experience of work for female managers which can be quantified
in terms of years worked. Surveys are of particular importance for quantitative methods,
especially for social sciences as quantitative methods are used to assess primary data which is
obtained using surveys conducted using questionnaires or schedules.
Now consider if one wanted to measure whether females find it harder than the male
counterparts to balance their responsibilities in personal life with that of their professional one.
There is no quantifiable way to measure this. In these cases quantitative analysis would fail to
provide a solution. This would require an in-depth contextual look at the matter due to the
complex nature of problem with so many underlying factors playing into one’s life which cannot
be easily isolated and categorized. Qualitative analysis comes in at this point. Qualitative

2QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS
analysis is a subjective approach which is wholly different from the objective impersonal way
that quantitative methods apply to analyze the problem. Qualitative analysis relies on the
discretion and skill of the researcher who interviews or observes the phenomenon relating to the
topic of research and using his or her own intellect and knowledge seeks to analyze and make
inference about the situation. It includes analyzing interviews or by merely observing silently the
events to later contemplate and come to an understanding of the underlying motivations.
Structured interviews and semi-structured interviews are often used as instruments of gather data
for qualitative analysis.
Mixed study designs are a new construct which utilities the strengths of both to
supplement the weaknesses of each approach to study a particular scenario. This means that
mixed study designs use both quantitative methods to assess the measurable or quantifiable parts
and then approaches it in a subjective way using qualitative analysis to support the areas which
cannot be explained using quantitative analysis. In social research this is an invaluable technique
and depending on the requirements one may balance the extent of quantitative or qualitative
analysis, combining them together to arrive at a wholesome understanding of the scenario. For
example, say one is interested in how successful women are in the professional field. Then using
both the problems addressed earlier using quantitative and qualitative analysis one may arrive at
a suitable answer which covers two important aspects of the topic understudy. First, the
professional success of women and the personal cost it has on them.