"... the best method of studying human behavior, or anything else for that matter, is the one which is consistent with the basic nature of the subject matter." - Bogdan & Biklen, 41.
Doing any amount of research into the differences between qualitative and quantitative research has always led me to debates on which is best. The above quote is a nice antidote to that competitive attitude. What is "best" depends on what or who is being studied, which is a stance we also arrived at during class.
Tensions between qualitative and quantitative aside, online sources use the terms numerical and non-numerical to characterize the main difference between the two methods, with qualitative being non-numerical, and quantitative being numerical.
Quantitative methods draw generalizable conclusions that can be predictive of how people or things behave, and qualitative can develop a multi-dimensional, detailed, and deep understanding of specific situations, groups, or individuals. As such, their data samples and collection methods have different pursuits. Quantitative methods tend to use reproducible experiments, questionnaire surveys, and closed-ended questions. These data collection methods work better for the large sample sizes usually employed by quantitative methods. Qualitative, on the other hand, have small, intentionally selected sample sizes, which are better suited for the interviews, focus group discussions, case studies, and open ended questions used by qualitative methods to deepen understanding of subject matter.
The most helpful characterization I have come across is the distinction in how the two methods phrase their research questions: quantitative methods ask how much, how many, and how often, while qualitative methods ask why, how, and what does it mean.
In terms of similarities, I am sure there are many. Right now, however, the similarity that is relevant to me is that both methods have deepened our understanding of the world, and ourselves.
Happy Thursday, Ibrahim! I just had to take a moment to agree with not only your point as to how often you are led back to "which is best" but too with how helpful it has been learning the distinction that exists between the type of questions that are asked within both AND just how relevant they each are in deepening the understanding of our world. I did some searching on the web but as you have included a quote from, I think I may have just preferred reading Bogdan and Biklen's take on the matter after all. How about you?
ReplyDeleteI love how you started of with the debate and the tension between the different methods. I also appreciate how you ended you post. It is definitely important that we all acknowledge that both methods have contributed to our understanding of different topics/ concerns.
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