Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative Research Essay

Quantitative look into is a formal, objective, systematic research which bases on precise figures. While conducting such kind of research, an investigator apprehends and analyzes data and statistics. The primary(prenominal) purposes of applying numerical method of research be description of variables examination of kindred among variables determination of cause-and-effect interactions between variables (Burns & Grove,2005).Qualitative research in crinkle to quantitative, is a kind of research which mainly concentrates on observations, questionnaires, reports and other ship canal of subjective investigations. The key features of soft research atomic number 18 commission on meanings, perspectives and understandings emphasis on process inductive analysis, and grounded theory (Woods, 2006). The basic differences between quantitative and qualitative research lie in methods and instruments they apply, types of data they collect and generate, in their main perspectives.The in struments used in quantitative research are strict about extracting information and dividing it into categories. Quantitative methods are highly organize and include various surveys, questionnaires, and structured observations. In qualitative research, more limber and frequentative instruments are applied. Qualitative methods, unlike quantitative atomic number 53s, are semi-structured. To these methods belong interview, focus group, questionnaire, and participant observation. Quantitative research, in contrast to qualitative, operates with numerical data. Qualitative research, as a rule, uses textual data (Mack, Woodsong, et al., 2005).The most important feature which differentiates one research from another is flexibility. Usually, the procedure of quantitative research is prescribed in advance. Therefore, it excludes any unforeseen changes during the process of research. For instance, the questions in quantitative research are well thought-out, concrete, and closed. Moreover, t he order of questions is also fixed. In such a way, quantitative research, due to its inflexibility, makes meaningful contribution to common investigation. The stages of qualitative research whitethorn be changed during the research procedure.The questions in qualitative research are more often than not open. It enables the participants to give more reasonable answers and sometimes, even to go into detail. Therefore, spontaneity became a distinctive feature of qualitative research, which made the process of research less(prenominal) formal (Mack, Woodsong, et al., 2005).ReferencesBurns, N., Grove, S.K. (2005). The practice of nursing research conduct, critique, and utilization (5th Ed.). St. Louis, Elsevier Saunders. Retrieved from http//www.researchproposalsforhealthprofessionals.com/definition_of_quantitative_resea.htm Mack, N., Woodsong, C., MacQueen, M. K., Guest, G., Namey, E. (2005). Qualitative research methods A data collectors field guide. Retrieved from http//www.fhi360.o rg/nr/rdonlyres/emgox4xpcoyrysqspsgy5ww6mq7v4e44etd6toiejyxalhbmk5sdnef7fqlr3q6hlwa2ttj5524xbn/datacollectorguideenrh.pdf Woods, P. (2006). Qualitative research. Retrieved from http//www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/qualitative%20methods%202/qualrshm.htm