Comparison between

Qualitative and
Quantitative Research
Adam Ariff bin Zulkifli
Ain Fatihah binti Mohd Kasim
Farah Mudrikah binti Zaimy
Fatin Daratul Ain binti Johari

Definition:
Quantitati
ve
research

entailing the collection of numerical data and exhibiting

the view of relationship between theory and research as
deductive, a predilection for natural science approach and
as having an objectivist conception of social reality (Bryman
and Bell, 2005, p.154).

Qualitative research involves any research that uses data

that do not indicate ordinal values (Nkwi, Nyamongo, and
Ryan, 2001, p. 1).
Qualitative researchers are interested in understanding the
Qualitativ meaning people have constructed, that is, how people make
e research sense of their world and the experiences they have in the
world. (Merriam, 2009, p. 13)

Difference Goals or aims of research

Qualitative Research aims to provide a complete, detailed

description of the research topic.

Quantitative Research focuses more in counting and

classifying features and constructingstatistical modelsand
figures to explain what is observed.

Hypothesis
Description
Type of Research

Qualitative
Broad
Whole picture
Exploratory

Quantitative
Narrow
Focused
Conclusive

Difference - Usage

Qualitative
Research
is ideal for
earlier phases of
research
projects.

Quantitative
Research
is highly
recommended
for the latter
part of the
research
project.

Difference Data Gathering Instrument

Qualitative
Research

the researcher serves as the primary data

gathering instrument.
Examples of data-gathering strategies:
individual in-depth interviews,
structured and non-structured
interviews, focus groups, narratives,
content or documentary analysis,
participant observation and archival
research.

Quantitative
Research

makes use of tools such as

questionnaires, surveys, standardized
tests, checklists, measurements and other
equipment to collect numerical or
measurable data.

Difference Type of Data

The presentation of
data in a Qualitative
Research is in the form
of words (from
interviews) and
images (videos) or
objects (such as
artifacts).

In conducting a
Quantitative Research,
what will most likely
appear in the
discussion are tables
containing data in the
form of numbers and
statistics.

Difference - Approach
Qualitative
Research
Primarily subjective in
approach as it seeks to
understand human behavior
and reasons that govern such
behavior.
Researchers have the tendency
to become subjectively
immersed in the subject matter
in this type of research
method.

Quantitative
Research
Researchers tend to remain
objectively separated from the
subject matter.
This is because Quantitative
Research is objective in
approach in the sense that it
only seeks precise
measurements and analysis of
target concepts to answer his
inquiry.

Difference Type of questions

In Quantitative Research,
Closed-ended
Specific and narrow
Contains responses possibilities developed in advanced.

In Qualitative Research,
Open-ended
General and broad

Difference- Reporting and Evaluating

In reporting Quantitative
Research;
Standardized structure
Format with predictable
pattern : introduction,
review of literature,
methods, results and
discussion.
Specific criteria to
evaluate
The result is reliable and
valid and was not
influenced by personal
biases and values

In reporting Qualitative
Research;

Wide range of format

Realistic and persuasive
Bias
Flexible

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Number of respondents

More respondents

Less respondents

Types of questions

Specific questions

Open-ended questions

Methods/Techniques

Surveys (main method)

Data collection techniques

vary

Data analysis

Relies on standardized data Varied techniques in data

analysis
analysis

Theory

Support and expand

existing theory

Develops new theory

Sampling

Sampling focuses on
probability and
representatives

Sampling depends on what

needs to be learned

Causality

Suggest causality

Explore causality

References

Explorable.com(Nov 3, 2009). Quantitative and Qualitative Research.

Retrieved Jan 13, 2015 from Explorable.com: https://
explorable.com/quantitative-and-qualitative-research

http://
www2.uncp.edu/home/acurtis/Courses/ResourcesForCourses/QuantitativeQual
itative.html

Source: SEEP-AIMS 2000 Learning from Clients: Assessment Tools for

microfinance practitioners. Washington, DC: AIMS/Management Systems
International ()