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What is the Difference Between Quantitative and Qualitative Research?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

Qualitative and quantitative research are the two main schools of research, and although they are often used in tandem, the benefits and disadvantages of each are hotly debated. Particularly in the social sciences, the merits of both qualitative and quantitative research are fought over, with intense views held on both sides of the argument. It is generally agreed upon, however, that there are some phases of research where one or the other is clearly more useful than the other, and so few people completely dismiss either.

Quantitative research is probably the least contentious of the two schools, as it is more closely aligned with what is viewed as the classical scientific paradigm. Quantitative research involves gathering data that is absolute, such as numerical data, so that it can be examined in as unbiased a manner as possible. There are many principles that go along with quantitative research, which help promote its supposed neutrality. Quantitative research generally comes later in a research project, once the scope of the project is well understood.

Quantitative research involves gathering unbiased data for study.
Quantitative research involves gathering unbiased data for study.

The main idea behind quantitative research is to be able to separate things easily so that they can be counted and modeled statistically, to remove factors that may distract from the intent of the research. A researcher generally has a very clear idea what is being measured before they start measuring it, and their study is set up with controls and a very clear blueprint. Tools used are intended to minimize any bias, so ideally are machines that collect information, and less ideally would be carefully randomized surveys. The result of quantitative research is a collection of numbers, which can be subjected to statistical analysis to come to results.

Gathering numerical data is an example of quantitative research.
Gathering numerical data is an example of quantitative research.

Remaining separate from the research emotionally is a key aspect of quantitative research, as is removing researcher bias. For things like astronomy or other hard sciences, this means that quantitative research has a very minimal amount of bias at all. For things like sociological data, this means that the majority of bias is hopefully limited to that introduced by the people being studied, which can be somewhat accounted for in models. Quantitative is ideal for testing hypotheses, and for hard sciences trying to answer specific questions.

Qualitative research is a subjective form of research in which an individual tends to become more emotionally attached to their subject and, as a result, his or her own bias may play heavily into the results.
Qualitative research is a subjective form of research in which an individual tends to become more emotionally attached to their subject and, as a result, his or her own bias may play heavily into the results.

Qualitative research, on the other hand, is a much more subjective form of research, in which the research allows themselves to introduce their own bias to help form a more complete picture. Qualitative research may be necessary in situations where it is unclear what exactly is being looked for in a study, so that the researcher needs to be able to determine what data is important and what isn’t. While quantitative research generally knows exactly what it’s looking for before the research begins, in qualitative research the focus of the study may become more apparent as time progresses.

Often the data presented from qualitative research will be much less concrete than pure numbers as data. Instead, qualitative research may yield stories, or pictures, or descriptions of feelings and emotions. The interpretations given by research subjects are given weight in qualitative research, so there is no seeking to limit their bias. At the same time, researchers tend to become more emotionally attached to qualitative research, and so their own bias may also play heavily into the results.

Within the social sciences, there are two opposing schools of thought. One holds that fields like sociology and psychology should attempt to be as rigorous and quantitative as possible, in order to yield results that can be more easily generalized, and in order to sustain the respect of the scientific community. Another holds that these fields benefit from qualitative research, as it allows for a richer study of a subject, and allows for information to be gathered that would otherwise be entirely missed by a quantitative approach. Although attempts have been made in recent years to find a stronger synthesis between the two, the debate rages on, with many social scientists falling sharply on one side or the other.

Discussion Comments

anon990195

Both types are essential, but quantitative is too objective while qualitative is too subjective.

staceybeck01

Thanks for all the great advice. As I'm looking into colleges, I'm also looking into what career path that I want to take, too.

anon339052

As a professional researcher, I can say if you use both, you will see the benefits.

anon277689

What are quantitative techniques and qualitative techniques?

anon263821

When using both methods of research, is that known as a 'Hybrid Study'?

anon170843

From the researcher of the quantitative and qualitative standpoint to see the blueprint, what are the mathematical formulas they use in this analysis to get the results?

anon155253

Both qualitative and quantitative research are equally important in their respective field and no one can stand itself without the help of each other. However, quantitative is more objective, numerical and statistical but qualitative research covers more about social, psychological, and current affairs part. Yuba

anon153311

Qualitative (1) is based to make hypothesis like woman like chocolate more than men. Whereas if we go quantitative (2) then we'll do some data collection and verify this hypothesis not only by taking interviews, or asking various men and women, i.e., go and actually see consumption in various shops.

anon126045

Quantitative and qualitative still confuse me. An article about preventing hospital acquired infections -- which would that be considered? Quantitative?

Daniel87

It seems like both quantitative and qualitative research are important for social scientists. If a researcher only used one then the information would not be complete. In other words, the more angles you go through to get the answer, the more complete your answer will be.

MonicaClaire

@mendocino, You’re right that it is difficult, and probably impossible, to be completely objective.

Social scientists take steps to be as unbiased as possible. In addition, they make their biases known when writing up their research reports to allow readers to account for these biases.

The researcher’s biases are not the only biases that can affect the results, though. The participants’ biases about the study can affect the results as well. So the results should not be taken as completely accurate.

There is probably no way to get completely accurate results, but scientists continue to conduct new studies to fix past mistakes and get closer to the truth.

mendocino

I would imagine that it is very difficult to be totally objective when conducting research, both quantitative and qualitative, but more so qualitative.

Every human being has certain predispositions based on upbringing and life experiences. So the research itself, but also the interpretation of results can not be taken as a complete truth.

So the data although somewhat useful can not be fully relied on in my opinion.

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    • Quantitative research involves gathering unbiased data for study.
      By: Africa Studio
      Quantitative research involves gathering unbiased data for study.
    • Gathering numerical data is an example of quantitative research.
      By: ruigsantos
      Gathering numerical data is an example of quantitative research.
    • Qualitative research is a subjective form of research in which an individual tends to become more emotionally attached to their subject and, as a result, his or her own bias may play heavily into the results.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Qualitative research is a subjective form of research in which an individual tends to become more emotionally attached to their subject and, as a result, his or her own bias may play heavily into the results.