Working on a research paper, you will have to make maximum effort to come up with a profound data analysis. Collecting and analyzing information, you will have to deal with statistics, numbers, words, and meanings. All these elements are important but can be used differently.
Therefore, before you dive into the choice of the most effective method for the research, you need to detect the key qualitative and quantitative research difference that will make the process much simpler, more representative, and more effective essayassist.
In a nutshell, the key discrepancy between the quantitative and qualitative data collection methods is the results the student gets. While the quantitative approach is about graphs and numbers, the qualitative is about concepts, notions, and definitions 99papers.
Comparing two different methods to collect the information, it is critical to mention that both have strong and weak aspects, so it is inevitable to be attentive to details as you focus on one of them.
The Key Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Research
How does qualitative research differ from quantitative research? This is one of the most important questions people ask when they start working on research papers. At this point, it is critical to mention multiple prominence discrepancies that predetermine the efficiency of each method in every specific situation.
Effective Data Collection Methods
How do qualitative and quantitative research differ? Well, there are numerous aspects that help to tell the two notions apart. In the overwhelming majority of instances, people only mention the results of the research they get, but they frequently skip the information about the methods used for the data collection. Keep reading the article to learn the peculiarities of the quantitative and qualitative research essay and make your own conclusions.
Qualitative Methods
When it comes to the qualitative research approach, it is indispensable to mention that it is focused on the quality of the received information. Thus, you will not get statistical data or accurate numbers. Instead, what you will receive is the interpretation of a certain notion or concept. The most typical methods of qualitative research are interviews, focus groups, ethnography, and literature review.
Quantitative Methods
If you happen to find a qualitative vs quantitative example paper, you will notice critical differences. Take your time to analyze the information and come up with your personal conclusions, as you are the one to understand which approach is the best for the custom assignment. The most typical methods of quantitative research include experiments, observations, and surveys.
Qualitative vs Quantitative Research Methods: When to Use
When it comes to the choice of the research method, there are numerous elements that should be taken into account. First of all, consider the topic of the paper you are working on, its academic level, and similar aspects that can influence your choice. At the same time, there is a faster way to understand if you need to come up with a qualitative essay or quantitative.
Once you want to test or confirm something, you should focus on the quantitative research methods, but if you are eager to understand certain concepts or experiences, you should take advantage of the qualitative research.
In the overwhelming majority of instances, both approaches are applicable. Moreover, there are instances when the mixed method is the best and can provide the most comprehensive results.
Qualitative Approach
Is this the first time you are going to work on a similar assignment? Take your time to read numerous qualitative research paper samples to understand their specifications and other details that can make a critical difference.
When it comes to a qualitative research method, it can be described through the interview of 20 students who are supposed to answer the open-ended question. Based on the answers you receive, there is a chance to come up with follow-up questions that will add some details. Transcribing the interview, you will have a chance to single out effective patterns that will work out best for your research.
Quantitative Approach
Unlike with the previous example, when it comes to the quantitative method, numbers matter. The questions you ask during the interview should not be related to the quality of something or the student’s approach to a specific subject matter. Instead, it should be a direct question about the rating, number, or any other aspect that presupposes accuracy and precision. An opportunity to perform a statistical analysis is a must.
Mixed Approach
If you still consider qualitative versus quantitative research, you should pay attention to another option, which is known as a mixed approach. As the name implies, it is the data collection solution that presupposes the combination of both quantitative and qualitative research methods that are aimed at the achievement of the same results.
Striving to collect the most reasonable and effective information, the student takes advantage of both elements to dive into the peculiarities of the analyzed aspect.
Analyzing the Qualitative and Quantitative Information
What is qualitative and quantitative data? Well, inexperienced students are convinced that any of these aspects can be representative, emphasizing certain aspects and helping to draw conclusions. Unfortunately, this is not the way the process works, which means both ways to collect information can be effective, but only if they are properly interpreted.
When it comes to qualitative vs quantitative studies, the analysis of the received data varies a lot. At this point, it is indispensable to mention that, as the name implies, quantitative data is built on numbers. Statistical analysis or just simple math can be effective tools on the way to discover certain patterns and come up with reasonable research results. In most instances, the findings of the quantitative analysis are presented in the form of tables and graphs. The validity and reliability of the results, average scores, causation between the variables, and similar options can be specified in the paper.
When it comes to qualitative data, it is much more complicated to analyze, as it presupposes the ultimate attention to the images and videos to collect the data and draw conclusions. Thematic analysis, discourse analysis, and qualitative content analysis are the most common approaches used in this area.
FAQs
A research essay is an academic writing process that is aimed at answering a research question. It can come in multiple forms, including quantitative, qualitative, experimental, correlational, descriptive, and others. The topic, academic level, and requirements of the professor will predetermine the type of research inevitable for the specific assignment.
Qualitative and quantitative research methods are the most common ones. Irrespective of the similar efficiency, their functions are completely different. While the first one is aimed at measuring the variables and testing hypotheses, the second one deals with statistics and numbers.
The mixed research method is quite popular among students who have a complicated research question, and one of the methods is not enough to answer it. The mixed method presupposes the use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to find the necessary solution.
If you doubt the choice of the research method, you should make sure it is the one that can answer the research question. Analyze the assignment and decide if you need to test the hypothesis or if you need to process a large amount of secondary data. Make the corresponding choice and take advantage of the selected method.
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