How different are quantitative and qualitative research Essay

How different are quantitative and qualitative research - Essay Example In order to understand the differences between the qualitative and quantitative research, it would be necessary to refer to their fundamental characteristics as well as to their role, as key research methodologies. The definitions, which have been developed for the above two research methods, are also presented. The review of the literature published in the specific field has led to the assumption that the differences between the qualitative and the quantitative research are often ignored and their simultaneous use is attempted – especially for research projects that are quite demanding. 2. Qualitative and quantitative research – description, forms In the literature, the scope of qualitative research has been explained using different approaches; however, it seems that all relevant views focus on the same fact: qualitative research is used in order to identify the causes of human behaviour in regard to various social events. This view is made clear in the study of Maria mpolski (2001) where it is noted that ‘qualitative research seeks the meanings and motivations behind behaviour’ (Mariampolski 2001, p.7). ... h the definition of qualitative research presented in the study of Merriam (2009); in accordance with the above definition, ‘qualitative research is a situated activity that locates the observer in the world’ (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005, p.3, in Merriam, 2009, p.13). On the other hand, Potter (1996) notes that the role and the value of qualitative research can be understood only by referring to the particular elements of the specific research method. This task is developed through three different types of definitions:’ a) a component-type definition, b) a procedural-type definition and c) a product type definition’ (Potter, 1996, p.20-21). The first of the above definitions, the component-type one, focuses on the parts/ elements of qualitative research; an indicative definition of such type is, for example that of Jankowski and Wester (1991) who emphasized on the content of qualitative, i.e. on the meaning given by people to their social activities and their active presence within the society – meaning that all people in society have a role which tends to be changed under different social conditions (Potter, 1996). The second definition, the procedural-type one, refers to qualitative research as ‘a sequence of tasks’ (Potter, 1996, p.21). A definition which follows a similar path is, for example, that of Pauly (1991) who noted that the qualitative research includes five steps: a) identification of the topic, b) development of the research questions, c) collection of the material, d) explanation of the findings, e) presentation of the researcher’s personal view on the issues under discussion (Pauly, 1991, in Potter, 1996, p.21). Finally, the product-type definition gives emphasis ‘on what is produced by the qualitative method’ (Potter, 1996, p.21).