Brikci and Green (2007) suggest using a qualitative approach for studies that aim to
“understand the perspectives of participants, explore the meaning they give to a phenomenon,
and observe a process in depth” (p.7). Qualitative research questions, therefore, aim to generate
opinions, beliefs, and values. Questions that explore, for instance, the perception, idea, thoughts,
or emotions of study participants would be classified as qualitative in nature. Mack, Woodsong,
MacQueen, Guest, & Namey (2011), meanwhile, state that a qualitative research question is
“open-ended” (p. 3). Examples of these questions would involve the why’s and how’s of the
object being studied. The data format of the answers derived from these questions is textual in
nature.
Quantitative research questions, on the other hand, aim to “quantify variation, predict
causal relationships, or describe the characteristics of a population” (Mack et al., 2011).
Questions that explore the differences, relationships, and characteristics of the object being
studied, therefore, are quantitative in nature. The answers generated from these questions are
usually numerical in nature. These questions sometimes aim to quantify otherwise unquantifiable
objects by transforming them into measurable variables and relationships. Another defining
characteristic of a quantitative question is its reliance on experiments and surveys as research
methods.
While quantitative and qualitative research questions differ in the way they attack a
research problem, combining them can lead to a more insightful and comprehensive research
study. Some studies, for instance, begin with a quantitative question to uncover manifest
characteristics of an object being studied and then proceed to a qualitative one to delve deeper
into the meanings and relationships within that object.
References
Brikci, M., & Green, J. (2007). A guide to using qualitative research methodology. Retrieved
fromhttp://evaluation.msf.at/fileadmin/evaluation/files/documents/resources_MSF/
MSF_Qualitative_Methods.pdf
Mack, N., Woodsong, C., MacQueen, K. M., Guest, G., & Namey, E. (2011). Qualitative
research methods overview. In Qualitative research methods: A data collector’s field
guide. Retrieved from http://www.fhi.org/en/rh/pubs/booksreports/qrm_datacoll.htm
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