Date Archives May 2018

Methodology: Qualitative vs. Quantitative

qualitative-vs-quantitative

These two terms can be used as research methods.

Qualitative

  • used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations
  • provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses

Quantitative

  • used to quantify the problem by generating numerical data
  • uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research.
  • much more structured than qualitative.

 

How above methodologies can be applied in research project:

  1. Formulating hypotheses (Qualitative) – Can initiate a research by discovering the problems or opportunities people are thinking.
  2. Validating your hypotheses (Quantitative) – Can get numbers to apply statical analysis for validating hypotheses.
  3. Finding general answers (Quantitative) – Helps to get definite answers for broad questions.
  4. Incorporating the human element (Qualitative) – People’s own words can help to uncover blind spots.