Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodologies: An Overview

This essay delves into the contrasting worlds of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, highlighting their theoretical underpinnings and practical applications. The essay begins with an introduction to the two key methodologies, followed by a detailed exploration of their theoretical paradigms, including positivism, interpretivism, deductive and inductive reasoning. The main body of the essay presents a comparative analysis of these methodologies, emphasizing their respective strengths and weaknesses. It then reviews several research papers in the field of health and social care, examining the usage of these methodologies, sample sizes, and data collection techniques. The essay concludes with a reflection on the suitability of each methodology based on the nature of the research question. It underscores that the choice between quantitative and qualitative approaches depends on the specific goals and objectives of the research, whether it involves testing hypotheses with statistical rigor or exploring complex social phenomena through in-depth analysis. This essay provides a comprehensive overview of both research methodologies.

ASSIGNMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY............................................................................................................................3
Part I, Section 1 .....................................................................................................................3
Part I , Section 2.....................................................................................................................4
Part II......................................................................................................................................5
Title: Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Mental Health During the COVID-19
Pandemic............................................................................................................................5
Title: Mental health amongst obstetrics and gynaecology doctors during the COVID-19
pandemic: Results of a UK-wide study..............................................................................6
Title: Public perceptions and experiences of social distancing and social isolation during
the COVID-19 pandemic: a UK based focus group study.................................................6
Title: Older people’s early experience of household isolation and social distancing
during COVID‐19..............................................................................................................7
General Comment...............................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
In our everyday lives we face several questions and dilemmas that interest us. While
some inquests end after a brief period of internet surfing others are induced into our minds by
way of internet surfing. Empirical observations leading to questions is the former idea while
the second theme is based on construction of a thought under specific social realities of our
internet surfing. These two ways are both different but they both are aligned together by the
common trait of inquisitiveness. All humans are naturally inquisitive by nature, be it a child
or a senior citizen. Changes in the social or natural realities demand the same.
Inquests are the way to satiate curiosity; but the same shall be well aligned to not to
absurd conclusions. Research Methodologies are designed to prevent the same. This essay
would discuss the 2 key methodologies of research, their theoretical paradigms and
application in actual form. Part I would first look into a brief theoretical introduction of these
approaches and in section 2 of the same a crisp differentiation between the two would follow.
Part II shall review the actual usage of these in research papers based on Health and Social
Care subjects so as to highlight the suitability aspects. Relevant points from the reflection
shall be concluded at the end.
MAIN BODY
Part I, Section 1
Theoretical approaches to research are often mistakenly reduced to 2 key
methodologies namely Quantitative and qualitative ways (Wood, 2010). The underlying basis
behind adoption of either of these for the purposes of research in social sciences when
undermined reduces the potential of a research subject. Quantitative approach to research is
generally associated with prominent usage of stats and is categorised as a positivist process
with the foundational basis of objectivity. On the other hand, Qualitative approach is
associated with interpretation of social factors and thus is based in interpretivism and its
epistemological basis is subjective or relative as some would put it (Wood, 2010).
Inductive and deductive paradigms form the basis of research in several philosophical
schools of thought (Lawrence, 2018). Positivists approach the question of “what is truth”
with an objective viewpoint and believe that reality of truth can be linearly experienced and
thus an empirical analysis rooted in objectivity is the way to research for them (Ruane, 2016).
August Comte was a positivist and his theory of methods in social research highlights this.

Theoretical process of positivist research is based in Quantitative approach to cater
well to the idea of larger empirical analysis. A deductive paradigm uses a theory to make a
hypothesis of a certain situation and then the empirical analysis of data collected is made to
conclude whether the hypothesis holds water. The “general” is, in a way, applied to
“specific” (Ryan, 2018). Thus the usage of deductive paradigm and thereby a Quantitative
approach, becomes quite crucial to achieve diversity and better credibility by increased
numbers.
Similarly an inductive paradigm uses a “specific” to “general” approach to give rise to
a new theory. As the words suggest, the observations shall meet a “specific” quality; loss of
which would render the interpretative process bad. As interpretivists take a relativist view
based in subjectivity (measurement), generalisation of results based on small but relevant
data is what creates a social theory (Lawrence, 2018). The distinction is rooted in the thought
of “no single shared reality” (Ryan, 2018).
Part I , Section 2
The positivist mode of analysis is based on testing a hypothesis using statistical means
by way of interpretable data. The domain of quantitative research has grown manifold.
Researchers working under this scheme have to observe the world as an external being as any
close contact can alter the realities. The methodology under quantitative research is highly
impersonal as it has an objective lens to it.
On the other hand, when we see the interpretivist ways, we observe that there is a
keen will to look through the natural scheme of affairs into the actual social conditions. The
methodological needs are based in subjectivity and place reliance on data that is collected by
way of interpersonal methods. Geertz uses the idea of “wink” to highlight the difference in
the social understanding of a behaviour vis – a vis a “twitch of the eye" which would be a
natural understanding of the same action (Dadze-Arthur, 2017).
Surveys are a common tool used in the quantitative approach and these are designed
to be of generic understanding so that the need for a contactless procedure is achieved. These
are based on industry standards with no open – ended queries as the idea is to gain numbers
rather than inputs based on a specific speculated need which is the norm in a qualitative
approach. Though, it is a matter of deliberation if the targeted audience actually took the
questions in the same way or if a predefined multiple choice set doesn't feature a relevant
answer for a few. To do away with these anomalies the qualitative methods are interpersonal

with an evaluation of the words recorded via different means. Descriptive ways of expression
are accepted and so it leads to a process of deciphering the actual meaning so conveyed by a
person.
In the quantitative regime the idea of research is to result in strictly tested results
which encompass a wide array of population without the social factors contributing to their
individual human identity; while in the qualitative approach the rigorous aspect is collection
of data with a strict sense of quality based in interpersonal means (Wood, 2010).
While quantitative methods are largely based on Experimental designs and use
methods such as surveys predominantly qualitative research is non-experimental. The style of
the output is descriptive and tends to use narration, grounded theories, ethnographies,
phenomenology and case studies. Case studies form a very crucial part in qualitative work.
In a general overview of the specific tools of each methodology we should see that
quantitative ways have to be pre – determined as they do not allow a subjective change.
Qualitative research is a bit flexible and emerging methods of research and input creation are
used frequently. Surveys in quantitative research feature close – ended questions but
qualitative processes are more inclusive and aim to understand the subjective standings and
thus are loaded with open – ended questions (CRESWELL, 2020).
Analysis of the data collected is the real deal in research and to use statistical and
textual analysis in case of qualitative research is quite cumbersome at times. Quantitative
research gets benefits of suitable software products which ease the statistical analysis; a key
need in Interactive Qualitative researches.
Part II
In this part we shall note down the key arguments of certain articles pertaining to
criminology and comment upon usage of sample size and research methods.
Qualitative Research Papers:
Title: Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Mental Health During the COVID-19
Pandemic
This particular piece tries to dig deeper in the lives of the students at different levels of study.
As is apparent from the title the piece discusses use of a Patient Health Questionnaire to
recognise depressive systems while Generalised Anxiety disorder scale is used to understand
and identify symptoms of anxiety disorder. These screening tools were employed at a diverse
population counting close to 45,000 students. The argument was that the pandemic phase has

been very harsh for all sorts of students and certain identification of these people is possible
based on commonalities. Singular distinctions based on subjects, course level, remote
instruction system etc. have all been analysed to deduce how they are relevant to observe the
worsening situation. Theoretical work pertaining to sense of belonging and counselling
services has been used to provide suitable remedies in these dire times.
Title: Mental health amongst obstetrics and gynaecology doctors during the COVID-19
pandemic: Results of a UK-wide study
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are the group targetted by this study. Key objective was to
understand the limitations that specialists face and how these limitations are a source of
anxiety or major depressive disorders. Thus, a general theory of lack of relevant material
pertaining to novel coronavirus has been specifically applied to deduce the aspects of
worsening mental health in a select specialists group. The research highlighted aggravated
fear of loss and, anxiety by possibilities of contracting and being a vector. The general
deductions were about stigma, fear and loss of family time that were causing added stress and
burnout due to the working pattern changes.
Qualitative Research Papers:
Title: Public perceptions and experiences of social distancing and social isolation during the
COVID-19 pandemic: a UK based focus group study
The title of the paper highlights analysis of a wide array comprising of a diverse population.
Objective was to highlight the psychosocial effects of different non medical ways employed
by the UK government to curb the spread of COVID. Hypothesis was based on a specific
understanding of social exclusion based on distancing which was extended to theorise the
possibility of behavioural changes among people due to the new norms of the pandemic
having their roots in distancing; crucially avoiding physical touch.
The key theme that emerged was that of ‘loss’ centred around loss of : social interaction,
motivation and self – worth. There were some concerns of uncertainty about social
reintegration and possible adversity due to anxiety about physical contact.

Title: Older people’s early experience of household isolation and social distancing during
COVID‐19
Unlike, the previous title this study was targeted at a specific group to highlight and
understand their demeanour under the isolation process. It threw light on the general aspect
of coping mechanisms being available to the elders alike and their comparable use. It was
established through semi – structured interviews over a period of time, with breaks , that aged
people have their own means to keep busy in isolation despite the widespread epidemic of
fear and casualties in the age group. The risk of fatality and added danger were duly accepted
and adherence to precautions was highlighted. Isolation in household was mitigated by use of
social media and community apps like Next Door; which also helped reduce fear.
General Comment
While the qualitative researches looked at the scheme of affairs in numbers exceeding 45,000
and 207 respectively, the sample size in the qualitative work was merely limited to 27 and 19
in number. These numbers are well suited to the needs and structure of the topics as well as
the general understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods. An observation of the
strategies of data collection highlighted that while tools like census survey were used for
quantitative research; qualitative studies employed semi – structured interviews over calls
and focus group discussions each run over a brief period of time. Detailed accounts with
subjective understanding made the data received suitable to the purpose.

CONCLUSION
This essay was a descriptive look into the two key methodologies of research; along
with a reflection of deeper understanding of the theoretical paradigms that shape these. The
reflective understanding by way of crisp analysis of health and social care studies based
research papers was done with an underlying theme of effectiveness and suitability of the
methods used. It can be concluded that both the ways and the debate of the best methodology
depends on the nature of the schema in the mind of the researcher. A deductive approach
moving from a general to a specific deduction would need to place reliance on healthy data
while for an inductive approach there shall be a qualitatively healthy reliance on specific
data. Thus, suitable methodology shall be adopted as per the demands of the subject.
A positivist view based on analysis of facts to get to a clear objective understanding
vis-a-vis an interpretivist view of understanding the social web of affairs are issues which are
pertinent to every researcher. One shall be guided by the intrinsic need of the subject matter.
While some might accept the natural world view, some issues would demand a dive into the
subjective ways of people to get a broader understanding. A key preliminary decision after
due deliberation would and should pave the way for an effective analysis.

REFERENCES
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Graduate Students’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative... Research, Global Edition. PEARSON
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Dadze-Arthur, A., 2017. The Interpretation of Cultures. CRC Press.
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Ruane, J.M., 2016. Introducing social research methods: Essentials for getting the edge. John
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Ryan, G., 2018. Introduction to positivism, interpretivism and critical theory. Nurse
researcher, 25(4), pp.41-49.
Shah, N., Raheem, A., Sideris, M., Velauthar, L. and Saeed, F., 2020. Mental health amongst
obstetrics and gynaecology doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of a UK-
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Williams, S.N., Armitage, C.J., Tampe, T. and Dienes, K., 2020. Public perceptions and
experiences of social distancing and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic:
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