What is the similarities between qualitative analysis method and quantitative analysis method?

Quantitative and qualitative research methods are similar primarily because they are both methods of research that are limited by variables. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative research methods can be used to study the same phenomenon. However, qualitative research is most often used to study people, while quantitative research typically measures the frequency or total of something. Regardless, both methods are often capable of investigating the same hypothesis.

Índice Show

Foundational belief systems
Sampling approaches
Data collection strategies
Data analysis procedures
Conclusions that can be drawn from data

For example, a qualitative study can gather information on the effectiveness of welfare policies by analyzing self-reported financial information from welfare recipients. On the other hand, quantitative research can be used to look at the financial situations of the same recipients by analyzing financial documents. Both studies analyze the same kind of information and investigate the same question. However, the information that is being analyzed is what is different.

Qualitative and quantitative research methods are also similar because both methods are limited by variables. In the previous example, the qualitative research method is limited because self-reported information is not always accurate. The quantitative research method is also limited because not all financial information is always documented.

Lastly, both research methods are similar because both methods are affected by the researcher conducting the research. For example, each researcher chooses which information to gather and how to interpret the data. This has a significant impact on the outcome of research, regardless of which method is used.

Research is an important part of operating a business. Whether the research is for marketing purposes or to determine future possible growth, research helps a business plan its course.

Two types of research are the most popular forms a business uses. Qualitative research seeks to understand why people react and how they feel about a specific situation. Quantitative research measures numerical results to help predict possible outcomes. In other words, qualitative research is concerned with "why," whereas quantitative research is concerned with "what." Although the data produced by each is vastly different from the other, similarities do exist between the two research tools.

For both types of research, raw data is required, usually in the form of survey participants. The type of research will determine the types of participants. Qualitative research often requires people to participate, while quantitative research could be based on numbers generated from other reliable sources.

Both qualitative and quantitative research are used to measure the results of data. Qualitative research focuses on data that is expressed through words and actions. For example, showing a group of people a photo and asking how the photo makes them feel (happy, sad or mad) would be a qualitative tool. If, after you've gathered the data regarding how the photo made people feel, and you then counted each result (five were happy; six were sad; nine were mad), then those results would be the result of quantitative research.

From a business standpoint, both types of data could be important, depending on the information needed. If you wanted to know if the photo made an impact, then qualitative research would be the primary result desired. If you wanted to know which emotion the photo evoked the most, then quantitative research would be the most important.

As in the above case, the quantitative research was possible only because the qualitative research was completed first. You wouldn't know which emotion was the most popular, if you hadn't first determined which moods were evoked. Qualitative and quantitative research can stand on its own merits, but also, and often, they can work in tandem to help with the research process.

Whether you are focused on the numbers of quantitative research or the reasons for qualitative research, both processes require that the raw data be analyzed. How that happens depends on how the research is gathered. In a survey, each response has to be counted individually, and then the totals of each response are compared to the control group or to the other responses. For example, if you have two spouses answering questions about each other, you'd have to count each response to each question, and then you'd compare the answers from the responding spouse with the answers from the control group or to the other responses.

Quantitative and qualitative research methods bear differences and similarities on several fronts. It is however necessary to appreciate the fact that the latter method concentrates on numerals with the aim of quantifying the results while the former concentrates on achieving quality answers thus concentrating on answering a question on the basis of yes or no. These differences extend to foundational belief systems, sampling approaches, data collection strategies, data analysis procedures and conclusions that can be drawn from the data.

We will write a
custom essay
specifically for you
for only $16.05 $11/page

308 certified writers online

Foundational belief systems

The most significant difference is that knowledge generated by qualitative research is a resultant feature of social construction that aims at achieving a certain degree of validity. The knowledge generated by quantitative research methods are founded on ascertained data that is subject to alteration without referring to the perception of the society (social construction). The philosophical foundation of quantitative research is deductive and reductionalist while that of qualitative research is inductive and holistic. The most striking similarity between the qualitative and quantitative research methods in reference to the belief systems is that they both conform to the post modern philosophy which assumes no universality truth in reference to the methods of research. The laws of research which practiced universally are therefore rejected. The process of member checking and establishing relationships among different sets of data is a practice and belief evident in both data collection methods (Ridenour & Newman 2007).

Sampling approaches

The purpose of quantitative sampling is to find a representative from the population with the aim of generalizing the results back to such a population this differs from qualitative sampling that aims at understanding complex issues related to human behavior. The samples for qualitative research are small especially when compared to quantitative results which must offer a representation of the characteristics of the population, a feat that cannot be achieved in qualitative sampling. The most striking similarity is that both sampling approaches are determined by the nature of the research question, this is in addition to both sampling approaches applying a considerable degree of probability in their processes. In both approaches the researchers have equal chances of accessing the samples (Blaikie 2009).

Data collection strategies

Quantitative data collection strategies rely on random sampling and the use of structured data collection methodologies. The results that are produced can be termed as generalized; on the other hand qualitative data collection strategies play a critical role in the evaluation of the reasons behind the existing processes. Quantitative approaches rely on surveys such as interviews, questionnaires while qualitative approaches utilize methodologies such as interviews and review of documents (Blaikie 2009). The most outstanding similarity between the two data collection strategies is evident in the need to determine how the paradigms related to the research process fits into the research focus in reference to the formulated goals. The response rates are high in both types of research as long as data collection is carried out in a suitable manner.

Data analysis procedures

Qualitative researchers analyze data inductively with the aim of coming up with themes while the goal of quantitative researchers is to come up with the most suitable means of comparing data, it therefore concentrates on analyzing relationships, differences and description of information that assumes a numerical nature while qualitative research begins with open coding thus coming up with themes arising from raw data. An audit trail is then established to link information to source (Agresti 2007). The final stage is establishing the association between the various sets of information thus bringing into focus the concept of axial coding. The similarities in data analysis in both sets of research methods are seen in the relationships that are established among sets of data collected. The ability to carry out factor analysis is also evident in both types of data analysis.

Conclusions that can be drawn from data

The conclusions drawn from qualitative and quantitative data take different forms. In qualitative research changes in internal consistency among groups and sample members as evident in the shift of opinions are determined and attributed to a certain factor, this is in addition to assuming a considerable degree of specificity thus bringing out the evident themes. In quantitative research conclusions arising from data analysis assume numerical characteristics that lean towards generalizability. The similarity in the conclusion of data in both types of research is evident in the ability to integrate data and offer different dimensions, critical to the synthesis of the concept among various players. It is worth mentioning that refutation is a procedure present in this stage and relates to subjecting the conclusions to high level of scrutiny (Hardy & Bryman 2009).