Question

Define the terms - Research, Qualitative research, and Quantitative research.

Write 4 major differences and 4 similarities between qualitative and quantitative research methods

Can you reference it apa format

Answer 1

Research:

Research is the process of solving problems and finding facts in an organised way. Research is done by applying what is known (if anything), and building on it. Additional knowledge can be discovered by proving existing theories, and by trying to better explain observations.

Qualitative research:

Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research.

Quantitative research.:

Quantitative methods emphasize objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.

DIFFERENCES:

BASIS FOR COMPARISON	QUALITATIVE RESEARCH	QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Meaning	Qualitative research is a method of inquiry that develops understanding on human and social sciences, to find the way people think and feel.	Quantitative research is a research method that is used to generate numerical data and hard facts, by employing statistical, logical and mathematical technique.
Nature	Holistic	Particularistic
Approach	Subjective	Objective
Research type	Exploratory	Conclusive
Reasoning	Inductive	Deductive
Sampling	Purposive	Random
Data	Verbal	Measurable

SIMILARITIES:

Tools of Measurement

Both qualitative and quantitative research are used to measure the results of data. Qualitative research focuses on data that is expressed through words and actions. For example, showing a group of people a photo and asking how the photo makes them feel (happy, sad or mad) would be a qualitative tool. If, after you've gathered the data regarding how the photo made people feel, and you then counted each result (five were happy; six were sad; nine were mad), then those results would be the result of quantitative research.

From a business standpoint, both types of data could be important, depending on the information needed. If you wanted to know if the photo made an impact, then qualitative research would be the primary result desired. If you wanted to know which emotion the photo evoked the most, then quantitative research would be the most important.

One Can Be the Foundation for the Other

As in the above case, the quantitative research was possible only because the qualitative research was completed first. You wouldn't know which emotion was the most popular, if you hadn't first determined which moods were evoked. Qualitative and quantitative research can stand on its own merits, but also, and often, they can work in tandem to help with the research process.

Both Produce Data to Analyze

Whether you are focused on the numbers of quantitative research or the reasons for qualitative research, both processes require that the raw data be analyzed. How that happens depends on how the research is gathered. In a survey, each response has to be counted individually, and then the totals of each response are compared to the control group or to the other responses. For example, if you have two spouses answering questions about each other, you'd have to count each response to each question, and then you'd compare the answers from the responding spouse with the answers from the control group or to the other responses.

Participants Are Necessary

For both types of research, raw data is required, usually in the form of survey participants. The type of research will determine the types of participants. Qualitative research often requires people to participate, while quantitative research could be based on numbers generated from other reliable sources.

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