Qualitative vs Quantitative Research: Why it Matters

The research supporting many popular reading programs is problematic because it is based on qualitative research.

  • Qualitative research uses the subjective measure of observations which is not based on structured and validated data-collection.
  • Study groups are not randomly selected, nor are they controlled for variables.
  • Qualitative research is bottom up research: it generates a theory based on the data collected rather than testing a theory with the data.
  • Qualitative research is not double-blind, and allows bias into the research:  this alone invalidates an entire study and makes it worthless.
 Criteria  Qualitative  Quantitative
Purpose
  • To understand and interpret social interactions
  • Test hypotheses
  • Look at cause and effect
  • Make predictions
Group Studied 
  • Smaller
  • Not randomly selected
  • Larger
  • Randomly selected
Variables 
  • Study of the whole, not variables.
  • Specific variables studied
Type of Data Collected 
  • Words
  • Images
  • Objects
  • Numbers
  • Statistics
Form of Data Collected

Qualitative data such as:

  • open-ended responses
  • interviews
  • participant observations
  • field notes
  • reflections

Quantitative data based on:

  • precise measurements
  • using structured validated data-collection instruments
Type of Data Analysis 

Identify

  • patterns
  • features
  • themes
 Identify
  • statistical relationships
Objectivity and Subjectivity 
  • Subjectivity is expected
  •  Objectivity is critical
Role of Researcher 
  • Researcher & their biases may be known to participants in the study
  • Participant characteristics may be known to the researcher
  • Researcher and their biases are not known to participants in the study
  • Participant characteristics are deliberately hidden from the research (double blind studies)
Results
  • Particular or specialized findings that is less generalizable
  • Generalizable findings that can be applied to other populations
Scientific Method 

Exploratory or bottom–up:

  • the researcher generates a new hypothesis and theory from the data collected
  Confirmatory or top-down:
  • the researcher tests the hypothesis and theory with the data
View of Human Behavior 
  • Dynamic
  • Situational
  • Social
  • Personal
  • Regular
  • Predictable
Most Common Research Objectives 
  • Explore
  • Discover
  • Construct
  • Describe
  • Explain
  • Predict
Focus 
  • Wide-angle lens
  • Examines the breadth and depth of phenomena
  • Narrow-angle lens
  • Tests a specific hypothesis
Nature of Observation 
  • Study behavior in a natural environment.
  • Study behavior under controlled conditions
  • Isolate causal effects
Nature of Reality 
  • Multiple realities
  • Subjective
  • Single reality
  • Objective
Final Report 
  • Narrative report with contextual description
  • Direct quotations from research participants
  Statistical report with
  • correlations
  • comparisons of means
  • statistical significance of findings


The content in the above table was taken directly from an Xavier University Library publication using the following sources:

  • Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2008). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (p. 34). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Lichtman, M. (2006). Qualitative research in education: A user’s guide (pp. 7-8). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.