Learning Community: 8(3): 113-118, December 2017

© 2017 New Delhi Publishers. All rights reserved

DOI: 10.5958/2231-458X.2017.00016.1

A Comparative Account of Qualitative and

Quantitative Research
J.K. Vikal

Department of Education, Vijay Singh Pathik Government P.G. College Kairana, Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, India
Corresponding author: drjkvikal@[Link]

ABSTRACT
Quantitative research is concerned with establishing the cause and effect relationship but
qualitative research is more concerned with understanding the social phenomenon from the
participant’s perspectives. In other words we can say that, qualitative research is concerned
with the opinions, experiences and feelings of individuals producing subjective data.
Whereas quantitative researchers seek causal determination, prediction and generalization of
findings, qualitative researchers seek instead illumination, understanding and extrapolation
to similar situations. Qualitative and quantitative research differ in many ways but they
complement each other as well Researchers who use one type of research alone do not
always communicate well with those using the other, but the languages and orientations of
the styles are mutually intelligible.

Keywords: Qualitative research, quantitative research

Qualitative and quantitative research differ in many ways, but they complement each other, as well. All
Social researchers systematically collect and analyze empirical data and carefully examine the patterns
in them to understand and explain social life. One of the difference between the two styles comes
from the nature of the data. Soft data, in the form of impressions, Words, sentences, photos, symbols,
and so forth, dictate different research strategies and data collection techniques than hard data, in the
form of numbers. Other differences are different assumptions about social life and different objectives.
These differences can make tools used by the other style in appropriate or irrelevant. People who judge
qualitative research by standards of quantitative research are often disappointed, and vice versa. It is
best to appreciate the strengths each style offers on its own terms.
Qualitative researchers often rely on interpretive or critical social science. They apply “logic in practice”
and follow a non linear research path. Qualitative researches speak a language of “cases and contexts”.
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They emphasize conducting detailed examinations of cases that arise in the natural flow of social life.
They try to present authentic interpretations that are sensitive to specific social-historical contexts.
Interestingly, more female than male social researchers adopt the qualitative approach.
Most quantitative researches rely on a positivist approach to social science. They apply “reconstructed
logic” and follow a linear research path. They speak a language of “variables and hypotheses.”
Quantitative researches emphasize precisely measuring variables and testing hypotheses that are linked
to general causal explanations.
Researchers who use one style alone do not always communicate well with those using the other, but the
languages and orientation of the styles are mutually intelligible. It takes time and effort to understand
both styles and to see how they can be complimentary.

Quantitative Versus Qualitative Approaches

Each approach uses several specific research techniques (e.g. survey, interview and historical analysis),
Yet there is much overlap between the type of data and the approach to research. Most qualitative
researchers examine qualitative data, and vice versa. There is a difference of mind set between the
followers of each research approach. Some find it difficult to understand or appreciate the other approach.
Although both share basic principles of science. The two approaches differ in significant ways, We can
see with the table given below:
Quantitative Approach Qualitative Approach
™™ Measure objective facts ™™ Construct social reality & Cultural Meaning
™™ Focus on variables ™™ Focus on interactive processes & events
™™ Reliability is key ™™ Authenticity is key
™™ Value free ™™ Values are present and explicit
™™ Theory and data are separate ™™ Theory and data are fused
™™ Independent of context ™™ Situationaly constrained
™™ Many cases, subjects ™™ Few cases, subjects
™™ Statistical analysis ™™ Thematic analysis
™™ Researcher is detached ™™ Researcher is involved

Steps in the Quantitative Research Process

The process of conducting a quantitative study begins with a researcher selecting a topic. After that a
specific research question arise then researcher design the study, according to the topic. After designing
the study a researcher begins to collect data. A quantitative researcher will very carefully record and
verify information, almost always in the form of numbers and usually transfers the data into computer-
readable format. Once the data are all collected, the researcher begins the fifth step, to analyze data. This
typically involves manipulating the data or numbers using computer software to create many charts,
tables, graphs and statistics. Often the research ends up with a large quantity of computer-generated

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output that provides the researcher with a condensed picture of the data. The researcher next has to give
meaning to or interpret the data. By looking at the analyzed data, using background knowledge on the
research topic and question and drawing on theory a researcher answers the original research question.
A researcher also consider alternative interpretations of the data, Compares the result of this study with
previous studies and draws out its wider implications. In the end the researcher will be prepared for
the final step, results or conclusions or to inform others. This means writing a report about the study
in a specific format and presenting a description of the study and result to professional audiences and
in one or more publications.
Flow chart of steps used in the qualitative research process.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Select topic Focus Design Collect data Analyze Interpret Results

Question study data data conclusions

Steps in the Qualitative Research Process

Norman Denzin describes a slightly different set of steps for qualitative research. Qualitative researchers
begin with a self assessment and reflections about themselves as situated in a socio-historical context.
It is a highly self aware acknowledgment of social self. Like the quantitative researcher,, a qualitative
researcher design a study, collect data, analyze data and interpret data. The qualitative researcher is
likely to collect, analyze and interpret data simultaneously. At the interpret data stage, many quantitative
researchers test hypothesis they previously developed where as qualitative researchers tend to create
new concepts and emphasize constructing theoretical interpretations. In the end of research results can
be shown in a separate manner. In qualitative research a later step may stimulate reconsideration of a
previous one. The process is not strictly linear; It may flow in several directions before reaching an end.
Flow chart of steps used in the qualitative research process.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Acknowledge Adopt Design Collect Analyze Interpret Result findings

Social self Perspective study data data
Data

Some other Phases of Comparison

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
Test hypothesis that the researcher begins with ™™ Capture and discover meaning once the
researcher becomes immersed in the data
Concepts are in the form of distinct variables ™™ Concepts are in the form of themes,
generalizations and taxonomies.
Measures are systematically created before data ™™ Measures are created in an ad hoc

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Collection and are standardized ™™ manner and are often specific to the individual
setting or researcher.
Theory is largely casual and is deductive ™™ Theory can be casual or non casual and is often
inductive
Procedures are standard and replication is frequent ™™ Research procedures are particular and
replication is very rare.
Analysis proceeds by using statistics, tables or ™™ Analysis proceeds by extracting themes or
charts and discussing how what they show relates to generalizations from evidence and organizing
hypothesis data to Present a coherent, consistent picture.

Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement

Quantitative researchers are far more concerned about measurement issues than are qualitative researchers.
Quantitative researchers treat measurement as a distinct step in the research process that occurs prior to
data collection, and they developed special terminology and technique for it. They adopt a deductive
approach and begin with a concept, then create empirical measure that precisely capture it in a form
that can be expressed in numbers. Qualitative researchers approach measurement very differently. They
develop ways to capture and express concepts using various alternatives to numbers. They often take
an inductive approach, creating new concepts as part of measuring. Both qualitative and quantitative
researchers use careful, systematic methods to gather high quality data. In both styles, data are empirical
representation of concepts and measurement links data to concepts. Yet differences in the styles of research
and the types of data mean they approach the measurement process differently. Designing measures of
variables is a vital step in planning a study for quantitative researchers. Qualitative researchers measure
with a wider variety of technique.

Reliability and Validity in Quantitative Research

Reliability and validity are central issues in all measurement. Reliability means consistency and validity
suggests truthfulness. In quantitative researchers measurement reliability means that the numerical
results produced by an indicator do not vary because of characteristic of the measurement process or
measurement instrument itself. Stability representative & equivalence reliability applies in quantitative
researches. Face, content, criterion and construct validity are used in quantitative researches.

Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research

Most qualitative researchers accept the basic principles of reliability and validity, but rarely use the terms
because of their association with quantitative measurement. In addition, Qualitative researchers apply
the principles differently. Measurement validity in qualitative research does not require demonstrating a
fixed correspondence between a carefully defined abstract concept and a precisely calibrated measures
of its empirical appearance. Other features of the research measurement process are important for
establishing validity.

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A Comparative Account of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Comparative Account of qualitative and quantitative Research

Reference point Quantitative research Qualitative research
Meaning Quantitative research is concerned Qualitative research is more
with establishing the cause and concerned with understanding
effect relationship. the social phenomenon from the
participants perspectives.
Nature Value free Values are present
Independent of context Situationally constrained
Positive Normative
Role of researcher Researcher is detached Researcher is involved
Sample size Lorge sample Small sample
Sampling Technique Random sampling frequently Non random sampling quota
used purposive & snowball sampling
Nature of data Hard Soft
Structured and Rigid Unstructured & flexible
Objective Subjective
Inquiry method Formal In depth
Measurement & Analysis Deductive Inductive
Counting in terms of Understanding participants
researchers categories categories
Fixed response Questions Open ended questions
Features
For general purpose For specific purpose
Broad objectives Narrow objectives
Expensive Economical
Standardized Non–standardized
Replication is frequent Replication is rare
Measures objective facts Construct social and cultural
setting
Types
Experimental Research Philosophical Research Historical
Research
Survey research Phenomenological Research
Field Experiment Ethnographical Research
Ex post facto Research Case studies
Laboratory Research Policy research
Participatory inquiry
Clinical research
Field Research

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CONCLUSION
Quantitative research is concerned with establishing the cause and effect relationship but qualitative
research is more concerned with understanding the social phenomenon from the participant’s perspectives.
In other words we can say that qualitative research is concerned with the opinions, experiences and feelings
of individuals producing subjective data. Whereas quantitative researchers seek causal determination,
prediction and generalization of findings, qualitative researchers seek instead illumination ,understanding
and extrapolation to similar situations.
Qualitative and quantitative research differ in many ways but they complement each other as well
Researchers who use one type of research alone do not always communicate well with those using the
other, but the languages and orientations of the styles are mutually intelligible. It takes time and effort
to understand both researches and to see how they can be complementary

REFERENCES
Gunnar and Myrdal 1973. Comparative Research Methods, D. Warwick and S. Osherson Publishers.

Neuman and Lawrence, W. 2008. Social Research Methods : Quantitative and qualitative Approaches, 6th ed., Pearson
education Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc.

Smilth and Robert, B. 1988. Linking Quantity and quality part-II Surverys as formalizations, Quantity and Quality
Research, 22: 3-30.

Strauss, Anselm and Juliet Corbin 1990. Basics of Qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques.
New bury park, CA: Sage.

Yadav, R.S. 2006. Qualitative Research : Concepts & characteristics, purpose and advantages, University News Publication.

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