Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

Explores experiences, meanings, and understanding of a topic.

Tests hypotheses, measures variables, and examines relationships between things.

Non-numerical data like words, images, or observations.

Numerical data like statistics and numbers.

Interviews, focus groups, observations, and ethnography.

Surveys, experiments, and questionnaires.

Thematic, narrative, or content analysis of data.

Statistical or mathematical analysis of data.

Collecting original data directly from the source.

Utilizing existing data like books and articles.

Research that focuses on observed and measurable phenomena.

Systematic investigation to expand knowledge.

Examining issues in education to improve practices.

Clearly stating the question you want to answer.

Quantitative research sometimes lacks contextual information, is inflexible, oversimplifies phenomena, & can be expensive.

Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion–common format for research articles.

Rules that guide how research is done. They ensure fairness, respect, and protect participants.

Ensuring research participants understand the research and agree to participate voluntarily.

Researcher's background, beliefs, and biases that affect the research process.

Study of knowledge creation and validation. It asks, "What methods do we use to validate truth?"

What can be studied in research? What is being researched?

The overall strategy (e.g., qualitative, quantitative) for research.

Groups who need extra protection (children, refugees).

Difficulties in conducting research while preserving ethical principles, especially with vulnerable groups.

A research approach that focuses on understanding how people perceive and interpret their experiences. It emphasizes subjective reality and the importance of context.

A research approach that seeks to find objective, measurable truths using scientific methods. It aims to identify universal laws that govern behavior.

The idea that reality is not fixed but is shaped by individual experiences, beliefs, and perspectives.

Interpretivism emphasizes understanding the social, cultural, and historical background of individuals to understand their experiences.

Interpretive researchers collect detailed, rich data through methods like interviews and observations to capture the nuances of individual experiences.

A researcher's personal background and experiences, which influence their perspective and how they interpret findings.

A researcher who shares a similar culture or background with the participants, providing deeper understanding.

A researcher who observes from a different cultural background, bringing fresh insights but potentially missing nuances.

Solving practical problems using a flexible approach, employing a mix of research methods.

Research driven by a specific problem, shaping the chosen methods.

A framework that critiques power structures and promotes social change, addressing issues like inequality and oppression.

Giving space and recognition to groups historically silenced or overlooked in research.

Concerns about subjectivity, lack of neutrality, and limited generalizability of findings.

Reality is constantly changing and depends on the situation. It focuses on practical outcomes.

Reality is influenced by power structures, social inequalities, and economic systems.

Reality is subjective and shaped by individual experiences and perceptions.

Reality is objective and exists independently of what we think.

Knowledge comes from solving practical problems and using real-world experiences.

Knowledge is gained by challenging power structures and promoting social change.

Understanding is achieved by interpreting individuals' experiences and perspectives.

Knowledge is gained through observation, measurement, and testing of objective facts.

Reality is dynamic and adapts to the situation. It's all about what works best in the moment.

Reality is shaped by power structures, like social, political, and economic forces.

Reality is built through social interactions and everyone's unique perspective.

Reality is objective and independent of our opinions. It exists on its own.

Knowledge is gained through practical experiences and solving real-world problems.

Knowledge is formed by questioning power imbalances and advocating for change.

We understand the world by interpreting people's experiences and perspectives.

Knowledge comes from observing and measuring things in a scientific way.

Reality is dynamic and adaptable, depending on the situation. Focus is on what practically works.

Reality is shaped by power structures, social inequalities, and economic forces.

Reality is subjective, based on individual experiences and perspectives.

Reality is objective and independent of human opinions, existing on its own.

Knowledge comes from hands-on experience and solving real-world problems.

Knowledge is gained by challenging power imbalances and advocating for change.

Understanding is achieved by interpreting individuals' experiences and perspectives.

Knowledge is gained through observation, measurement, and testing of objective facts.

Focuses on understanding experiences, meanings, and perceptions through non-numerical data like words and observations. It explores 'why' and 'how' questions.

Uses numerical data like statistics to measure variables, test hypotheses, and examine relationships. It answers 'what,' 'how much,' and 'how often' questions.

Provides rich, detailed insights into experiences and contexts. It's flexible, captures complexity, and explores sensitive topics.

Objective, reliable, and generalizable. It uses statistical analysis for clear, structured findings.

Time-consuming, can be influenced by researcher bias, and less generalizable to larger populations. Findings may be difficult to replicate.

Lacks context, inflexible, may oversimplify complex phenomena, and can be expensive.

A set of guidelines that ensure research is conducted fairly and respectfully, protecting participants and upholding integrity.

Guidelines like care, honesty, confidentiality, and informed consent ensure participants are treated ethically.

Ethics maintain the credibility of research findings, build trust between researchers and participants, and protect vulnerable groups.

Difficulties in conducting research while upholding ethical principles, especially when working with vulnerable groups.

The researcher's background, beliefs, and biases, and how they influence the research process.

A researcher's gender, race, class, or religion can shape their perception and interpretation of data.

The study of how knowledge is created and validated, considering different methods for knowing truth.

The study of what exists or what can be researched, addressing the nature of reality.

Research is a systematic investigation into a specific topic to create or expand knowledge. It involves defining a problem, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

Research can be categorized into primary, secondary, and empirical. Primary research involves collecting original data, while secondary research uses existing data. Empirical research focuses on observed and measured phenomena.

Educational research examines issues within education to improve practices, policies, and outcomes. It aims to improve the learning experience and educational systems.

A flexible research approach that prioritizes practical problem-solving, using a mix of methods to find solutions.

Research that is driven by a specific problem, influencing the choice of methods and analyses.

A research paradigm analyzing power structures, challenging inequality, and advocating for social change.

A detached approach to minimize bias and ensure that personal opinions don't influence the findings.