The Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Research

The Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Research Research refers to the systematic investigation of materials to generate evidence and establish new conclusions. Qualitative and quantitative researches are the major types of research. Quantitative research refers to investigations that deal with statistics and numbers.

Quantitative studies provide researchers with a platform to test the hypothesis through systematic collection and analysis of data. In these studies, data is expressed in graphs and numbers.

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This data is used to test and confirm theories and assumptions. Researchers can also use quantitative research to generalize facts about a specific topic. For instance, a nursing researcher may conduct an experimental study to determine the ability of certain antiseptic agents to clear pathogenic microorganisms from the hands of nurses and other care providers. The common types of quantitative studies are experiments, surveys, and observation studies. In these studies, researchers use closed or multiple-choice questions (Oflazoglu, 2017).

Qualitative research describes investigations that deal with perceptions and meanings.

These types of studies allow researchers to investigate ideas, concepts, and experiences (Flick, 2018). Data in this type of study is expressed in words. The common qualitative studies are interviews, literature reviews exploring words and concepts, and observations described in words (Flick, 2018). In qualitative studies, researchers use open-ended questions. For instance, in nursing setups, researchers may ask open-ended questions to determine the nurses’ perception of certain interventions such as handwashing with soap and water. Quantitative studies generate more reliable results since they are based on quantifiable aspects whereas qualitative results are based on the participants' perceptions hence have a higher risk of bias.

References Flick, U. (2018). Managing quality in qualitative research. Sage.

LoBiondo-Wood, G. & Haber, J. (2014). Nursing Research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice (9th ed.). Elsevier Mosby.

Oflazoglu, S. (Ed.). (2017). Qualitative versus quantitative research. BoD–Books on Demand.